Just wanted to put it out into the world so that I keep practicing them! Doing a Giant(s) has been something I have always dreamed of -- but let's be real it is intimidating and scary! I have been doing swings on the strap bar the last two practice with a goal of improving a little bit each time! If you have any advice or encouragement, please share!

Hello Everyone, I recently launched a new curriculum with my company, Zen Tiger Mind, it's called "Resilience." In my program "Resilience," I teach Self-Compassion exercises. Why?? Because we are hard on ourselves! Right? Self-Compassion reduces self-criticism, perfectionism and stress. Truly! Science says that to increase your resilience, Self-Compassion practice is integral, AND this skill can be taught! So I thought I'd share this wonderful video. It's for kids and adults - so do it with your kids (if you have some). I also returned from AUS and NZ speaking at conferences and coaching athletes. The photo is myself and Sr. National gymnast, Poppy, in NZ. She was been struggling to stay on beam. Then I taught her deeper concentration and Self-Compassion exercises. Next 2 comps, she hit beam - and WON BEAM! I will also be teaching at the end of the month for our Adult Gymnastics Movement - @Hugh Smith and I are planning it and I'm excited to speak with all of you! Happy September! 🤩🍂🍎 Lisa Mitzel

I've been working on the round off entry vault slowly for 4 years having never trained it when I was younger. Any tips or feedback is welcome since I don't have a coach and I don't really know what I'm doing. I want to be able to do the Yurchenko timer straight to my back without touching my feet. I'm not quite there yet, but getting closer. I've also been doing Pak Salto timers from a single bar to a mat stack for a couple months. This is the first time I've ever done it on the uneven bars with the sting mat over the low bar. I tried to tell myself it was the same thing, but it's still scary. I bent my legs out of fear, but at least I did it. Hopefully I can work on the form as it gets less scary

If you have any questions on how to do a skill, need help with doing it correctly/safely, or are curious about any gymnastics/movement skill at all, please feel free to ask Coach @Hugh Smith on this thread!!

Low impact vault drills for YURCHANKO . Teaching the Yurchenko Vault (Round-off Entry Vault) The Yurchenko vault is one of the most popular vaults in gymnastics. It begins with a round-off onto the springboard, back handspring onto the table, and then a block (push) that launches the gymnast into their salto or twisting element. The key to success is not just power, but how you enter the table and how you block. Many gymnasts struggle because they arch or “rainbow” onto the table, landing too high with poor hand placement, which kills their block and makes the vault unsafe and inconsistent. That’s why these two drills are gold: they teach direction into the table and a strong block/pop, while keeping things low impact so you can get lots of reps. Drill 1: Round-off Pike Sit Punch - Setup: Round-off on a rod floor or spring floor into a pike sit/punch back (onto a soft, waist-high resi mat). - Focus: Instead of arcing onto the vault, you’re training your body to drive into the table. The pike sit/punch forces your momentum forward and down, not up and over. - Why it works: Teaches gymnasts to enter the table with direction. Corrects the common mistake of arching/rainbowing in. Builds awareness of keeping the chest and hips driving in line. - - Practical bonus: Soft mat + rod floor = low impact, safe for reps. Drill 2: Box → Round-off → Mini-Tramp Back Handspring Pop to Back - Setup: Start on boxes for height, do a round-off onto a mini-tramp, then back handspring to a resi pit landing on your back. - Focus: The mini-tramp and pit give you time and safety to emphasize reaching back, blocking, and popping off your hands. - Why it works: Trains the block and rotation without pounding your body. Builds confidence in extending back and trusting the pop. Lets you practice dozens of clean entries without the physical toll of full vaults. - - Practical bonus: Mini-tramp + porta-pit = very forgiving surface, ideal for adults or anyone needing repetition without wear and tear.