Welcome to Gym Magic Gymnastics! We’ve been a USA Gymnastics Member Club and participated in the USAG Junior Olympic Program for boys and girls since 1993.  We opened our doors with the hopes of providing a fun, safe environment for young kids to enjoy gymnastics and have grown into a full multi-sport facility.

Gymnastics is the foundation of our center. It was our first sport, and it has laid the groundwork for all our other programs. We have been teaching gymnastics since 1993 and have instructed thousands of Las Cruces youth over the years. Gymnastics is truly a ‘super sport’ in that it develops the body, the mind and the emotions. Just look at the Olympics and the most watched sport: it’s always gymnastics followed by swimming and diving. Yea, GYMNASTICS!

Gymnastics is a super sport because of the strength, agility and flexibility it develops over time. And the ‘time’ our program begins is at 12 months of age in our parent and child classes called Magical Moves. Magical Moves is a fun exploration of movement in its many, varied forms. All our preschool classes take place in TumbleLand, a wildly decorated, dedicated space for preschoolers. TumbleBugs, our program for 3 to 5 year olds, also meets upstairs in their own private center. This separation from the main gym offers a safer and less hectic environment for our little ones and also allows us to provide ‘preschool-sized’ equipment for the smaller hands and feet.

We also have a private observation room for our parents and grandparents to be able to sit back and enjoy! Classes begin at 12 months of age for the Baby & Me class (Magical Moves), which has mom or dad on the floor also! You don’t want to miss this opportunity!! For 3 years and older, parents are no longer required on the floor as the little ones learn more independence and get to show their parents what they can do “all by myself”! (Parents: don’t fear; you are only a few feet away in case you or your child have some separation anxiety.) In addition, a new transition class is being offered in the TumbleBug Program: Lightning Bugs. Lightning Bugs is a combination class of Magical Moves and TumbleBugs.

After TumbleBugs, we start our gymnastics program for boys and girls in the main gym downstairs with “Over the Rainbow”, a six level progressive structure that teaches skills in small, incremental steps. This provides the greatest success for the student as they approach skills in small steps that eventually lead to more complicated skills.
We also offer USA-Gymnastics Jr. Olympic competitive teams for boys and girls. For those not wanting to compete, we also have Exhibition Teams that allow you to perfect your skills and  perform at various local events.

Gym Magic was founded on the principle that all of our programs should help young kids develop into healthy, happy and confident young adults. We firmly believe children are our most precious resource and are worthy of our greatest efforts. While gymnastics is an exciting physical activity, we believe its best benefits stretch far beyond fitness and physical agility.  We believe, when gymnastics is taught properly, it can be one of the best tools to teach life skills (self-confidence, courage, discipline, commitment, perseverance and mental focus) because gymnastics is naturally fun.  When these positive traits are learned as a child, the possibilities for that child become limitless!  Now that’s something to jump and shout about!!

We’ve been training preschool, recreational and competitive gymnasts since we opened in 1993. We moved to our new state-of-the-art multi-sport facility in August 2004 and then expanded in January 2006 by adding an additional 5,000 square feet upstairs. Our gymnastics facility spans two floors: upstairs we have Tumble Land for preschool gymnastics and downstairs we have our main gym floor for recreational and competitive gymnastics. Our gymnastics school is one of the largest in New Mexico – we strive to provide children the best equipment and facility available and to give parents a pleasant enviroment for viewing classes.

Safety is at the top of our list with special attention given to constant improvement and continual upgrades of our equipment.  The following is a partial list of our equipment for gymnastics:

No one in the region has a comparable facility, period.

The best equipment in the world won’t get kids very far without good coaches. And at Gym Magic, our coaching staff really shines!! Our gymnastics coaches (as in all our programs) are hired first for their love of children and great attitudes and secondly for their skill and knowledge of their sport.  Our coaching staff is USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, whether they’re teaching toddlers or competitive team members, plus attend weekly staff training meetings on safety and technique. Our coaches also attend national, regional and local training clinics to stay abreast on the latest coaching methods.

View Images of our Gymnastics program here>>> Las Cruces Gymnastics

MAGICAL MOVES = 12 TO 35 MONTHS OF AGE (with Parent)

TUMBLEBUGS = 3 TO 5 YEARS OLD (without Parent)

LIGHTNING BUGS = COMBINED AGES (can be with Parent)

YES!! We like to start with “YES” because we know how many “No’s” this age-group usually encounters!! It’s just that time of life! But in TumbleBugs, running and jumping are the order of the day. Climbing, rolling and hopping are all part of the curriculum because they have many physical and mental benefits. We simply have a pattern and structure to follow, which also promotes responsibility and following instructions. This is an exciting age and an essential time of development – especially brain development. Our TumbleBugs are all about learning and exploring, and our classes offer ample opportunities for both.

TumbleBugs are our youngest students, beginning at 12 months of age in the Magical Moves Parent / Child program followed by our 3 to 5 year-old groups. Parents join their child in class and share in the fun in Magical Moves. This is also a great opportunity to meet other parents and children of the same age group while sharing a special time with your own child. Remember to wear comfortable clothing for movement; we go barefoot in the gym (to prevent slipping on the mats).

Our preschool classes are divided into small age groups:  3 Parent & Child classes and 3 classes for the older preschoolers without parent assistance. These smaller age groups allow us to provide just the right learning environment for each age group, something that few schools provide, but something we feel is essential. Classes are 45 minutes in length.

MAGICAL MOVES AGE GROUPS (Parent & Child Classes):

12 – 23 months: Butterfly Classes

24 – 35 months: Dragonfly Classes

12 mos. – Kinder: Lightning Bugs Combination Class*

*We’ve had many requests for a combined class that allows siblings of different ages to attend the SAME class! This requires special considerations for our teachers as they must adjust to a wider range of ages and keep everyone challenged!! Not to worry, our teachers are up to the challenge! In addition, Lightning Bugs can serve as a transition class for students having a difficult time separating from their parent (typically, 3 year olds).

TUMBLEBUGS (without Parents on the floor):

3 to 4 yrs:             GlitterBugs

4 to 5 yrs:             SparkleBugs

5 to 6 yrs:             KinderBugs (must have a cartwheel)

For 3 years and up, parents are no longer required on the floor as greater independence is developed. (Never fear, parents are close at hand and able to watch from a glassed observation room. OR you may opt for a Lightning Bug transition class that welcomes parents on the floor to ease the parent separation.)

More challenge and more skill development are offered as students move up through the ranks! Notice that a new 4 year old and all  3 year olds will attend GlitterBugs, while a returning 4 year old will move into the SparkleBugs with all new 5 year olds. KinderBugs are 5 to 6 year olds that can perform a cartwheel.

Our goal for TumbleBugs is not the perfect cartwheel (that comes later) but focusing on a fun, safe environment where the little ones develop positive attitudes about learning and challenge. Will they learn basic gymnastics skills? YES, indeed!  We use a progressive program that starts at the very beginning – that’s a very good place to start – TumbleBugs are exposed to all gymnastics events (floor, beam, vault and bars) with special preschool-sized equipment. We believe the highlight of our program, however, is the development of a positive learning attitude because this lays the foundation for all future learning situations, hence, learn, laugh and grow!

MORE INFORMATION for those interested:

Why gymnastics and integrative movement? Studies have shown that children involved in activities like preschool gymnastics develop new neural networks in the brain. A large body of evidence now links movement to learning, and gymnastics is known as the best form of integrative movement. Integrative movement organizes the brain and stimulates the vestibular system, which integrates our vision, hearing and skin sensations. Current research documents that movement and coordinated activities are fundamental aspects of the process of learning.

Because our movements and songs are FUN, our classes engage the children while incorporating integrative movement to develop and organize the brain, all in a playful, fun environment. This is a very important point because our activities could be viewed simply as ‘play’ to the uneducated eye without the knowledge of integrative movement. But play is also an important aspect of learning as noted below:

“Play is the major way by which the creative intelligences and capacities of the child develops,” states Joseph Chilton Pearce.

“Play is an activity enjoyed for its own sake. It is our brain’s favorite way of learning,” states Diane Ackerman, author of Deep Play.

Children naturally love movement and activity; it feels good to them because it helps to organize the brain. Gymnastics offers not only physical gains, but also has cognitive and psychological benefits. As Debra Wilson (reading specialist and author of S’cool Moves) states, “preschool gymnastics is the BEST form of integrative movement that can be offered.” We utilize S’cool Moves and its integrative movement in our programs because it was designed to improve behavior, focus and academics through fun, integrative activities – just what we ordered!

“The sport of gymnastics goes far beyond forward rolls and back flips. It builds from the inside out, helping to develop strong, goal-oriented, and confident individuals. Along with all the physical and cognitive benefits, gymnastics also teaches discipline and self-control in a fun and exciting format. In addition, research now documents that gymnastics training helps to develop and organize the brain, improving our educational opportunities. Gymnastics can truly lay the foundation for a successful life as it addresses both mind and body,” states Nancy L. Bates, PhD, MT (ASCP).

Infants and toddlers have literally tens of thousands of new brain connections (called synapses) forming every second, and millions of new synapses forming every hour! And most importantly, how your child’s brain makes these connections changes the physical structure of the brain, making learning easier or more difficult. Approximately 75% of the brain’s mass is formed by the age of two, while brain development is roughly 90% complete by the age of five! Clearly, the early childhood years are the most important years for brain development, which places greater emphasis on the activities offered during these important years.

We invite you to join us in this wild adventure of development  as there is nothing more important than our children! LEARN, LAUGH, & GROW!

Our office (575-523-1616) is available to help you find the perfect class for you  and your family!

Pre-schoolers develop independence in class without mom or dad and start learning social skills that will get them ready for school. All dance classes for pre-schoolers are 50 minutes long.

Pre-Ballet/Tap offers a fun-filled adventure into the world of dance. Dance vocabulary and simple movements are introduced in a playful environment with props like flowers and hula-hoops that engage the imagination and help shy children blossom. Class is never dull and is usually quite noisy with this enjoyable introduction to tap. Instruction is evenly divided between tap and Pre-Ballet.

Gym/Pre-Ballet Combo combines preschool gymnastics in our TumbleBug Land with Pre-Ballet in our Dance ‘til Dawn Studio. What a great combination!

Advanced Pre-Ballet/Tap continues to build a strong dance foundation in a more challenging format. All students must be evaluated by an instructor in order to join and be invited to the class.

Our Over the Rainbow Program was developed specifically for school age children with Fun and progressive gymnastics driving the program. Taken from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ movie of yester-year, Over the Rainbow has a foundation of ‘brains, courage and heart’ combined with progressive, developmental gymnastics from USA Gymnastics.

Classes in Over the Rainbow are grouped by age and by skill. We know it’s important to have similar ages grouped together (1^st – 3^rd; and 4^th – 6^th). The colors of the rainbow are used to distinguish the different skill levels:

Beginning Gymnastics = Red/Orange (1^st – 3^rd or 4^th – 6^th)
Intermediate Gymnastics = Yellow/Green (1^st – 3^rd or 4^th – 6^th)
Advanced Gymnastics = Blue/Purple (1^st – 3^rd or 4^th – 6^th or Open Ages)

Over the Rainbow meets downstairs in the Main Gym which provides 10,000 sq. ft. of kid-friendly, carpeted space. Safety is always #1 at Gym Magic, so students work on in-ground trampolines, in-ground Tumbl Trak and foam-filled pits for that added cushion and safety. You’ll see the same Olympic equipment in the gym as on TV during the Olympics!

Gymnastics is a ‘super sport’! 

Strength, flexibility, coordination, agility, self confidence and self esteem, discipline, social skills and school preparedness.

 Remember, gymnastics is Fun, but it also provides the foundations of learning. Research has shown the connection between movement and learning. The area of the brain once thought to only control movement has been shown to also be involved in learning, spatial awareness and higher thought. In studies following children from kindergarten through 3^rd and 4^th grades, the best predictor for success in reading and math was found to be coordination and motor skills. Sound familiar? Yes, that’s why we love gymnastics! Not only is it Fun, it also prepares our students for success in their school work. Now that’s a great combination!!

For recreational boys’ gymnastics, Gym Magic has three skill levels on our Magic Men Program: Level 1 (beginner), Level 2 (intermediate) and Level 3 (advanced). Boys train on the six Olympic men’s events (vault, high bar, pommel horse, floor, rings and parallel bars) right from the beginning; boys also get to use the traverse climbing wall, trampolines, foam pit and more!

Our boys’ curriculum is based on USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic standards, but also incorporates fun and games. Every other term, all gymnasts receive a ribbon and certificate for their achievements and persistence. Boys also have the option of performing with their classmates in our annual summer recital. Boys mastering our recreational curriculum can try-out for our Level 4 competitive team.

Beginning gymnasts benefit from the physical and mental changes fostered by the sport, gaining strength, flexibility, balance and coordination plus enhancing their confidence, sense of commitment and attentiveness. The dedication and perserverance needed by all gymnasts will prepare them for success in school and throughout life.

Our very first team was a group of highly dedicated gymnasts that wanted to enjoy their sport, develop new skills plus be able to enjoy school and still be a ‘kid’ while competing and maintaining good grades. They are now dentists, physicians, moms, criminal justice professionals, fitness specialists and educators to name just a few of the professions they have entered. We are very proud of them and their continued contributions to society as we believe this is our true role – to develop strong young men and women who have the self-confidence to pursue their dreams and dream the ‘big dreams’!

If you join our competitive teams, you will soon find out that gymnastics develops so much more than a strong and flexible body – the major work is actually through the mental and emotional realms which is why we LOVE GYMNASTICS! Our Gym Magic staff is dedicated to the highest principles of gymnastics ethics. With over 100 years of combined coaching experience on staff, Gym Magic is ready and able to help athletes of all levels succeed.  Every possible effort is made to ensure the health and well being of every athlete, physically, mentally and emotionally. We will provide a strong positive, safe environment where children can learn, laugh and grow.

We will help to develop body awareness, spatial awareness, balance, agility and a strong work ethic. We believe in a strong TEAM SPIRIT because it is through teamwork that individuals succeed both in gymnastics and in life, overall.  We build strong character and self-esteem; we conduct evaluations of our gymnasts to identify individual ability to help them excel; and we desire open, honest discussions with our team parents.  At Gym Magic, we want our athletes to get the most out of their gymnastics experience as this is a precious time in their lives.

We believe we reach our dreams through dedicated work mixed with fun. Fortunately, gymnasts usually LOVE gymnastics or they wouldn’t be here, which makes our jobs all the more enjoyable. Our athletes are encouraged to have fun and enjoy their accomplishments at all levels of competition, to support one another in their individual goals, and to respect themselves, their team and their gym.  Gymnastics truly grows individuals from the ‘inside out’ because gymnasts will be faced with disappointment and with happiness, with failure and with success. We feel it’s important to experience these emotions in a safe, supportive environment where kids learn to get back on the beam, to get back on the bars and to get back in the game! Our students learn that success comes through small continual steps; that failure is on the path to success; and that you can only truly fail if you stop trying, so you just keep trying until you succeed. Did I mention patience? Competitive gymnastics is really good at developing patience because it is a very beautiful but difficult sport! COME JOIN US AND EXPERIENCE THE WONDER OF GYMNASTICS!

The immediate, as well as life long, health consequences of obesity include heart disease, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, Type II diabetes and asthma, to name a few. Parents, physicians, and communities must work together to provide regular physical activity for our children, that can begin in early childhood, can be done by any child, and has enough action and variety to be fun. Gymnastics is the answer!

Gymnastics education can begin at an early age. Once your child is walking, a parent/toddler class is an excellent place to start. Your child can comfortably learn skills that improve balance and coordination with you right next to him or her. Your child can enjoy being around other children, but with the one-on-one attention they need. Parents also learn skills they can use in developmental play at home.

As your child matures, brain growth is very rapid and new skills can be readily learned. In the preschool years, children continue to improve their gross motor skills and also begin to develop some strength and flexibility. They  are now able to participate cooperatively in a group setting and follow directions from a coach/teacher.

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“Gymnastics not only increases strength, grace and flexibility, 

but also encourages hard work, discipline and determination. “

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Gymnastics for older children is available in a variety of formats including recreational classes and competitive team participation. This allows all children to participate in the sport regardless of their size and/or ability. Each child can advance at his/her own speed as he/she learns new skills. Gymnastics not only increases strength, grace and flexibility, but also encourages hard work, discipline and determination. Gymnasts learn to tackle challenges and overcome their fears as they advance in the sport. The action, variety of skills and events, and the reward of accomplishment keep the sport of gymnastics fun and exciting for young athletes.

The skills learned in early gymnastics training will allow your child to be successful not only in gymnastics, but also in any other sports he/she may choose. Kids need to develop healthy habits early — to eat healthy foods and be active every day. Give gymnastics a try! Find a club near you at www.usagymclub.com. You and your child will be glad you did.

Article Produced By:  Lisa R. Ford, M.D. • Owner of Diva Gymnastics Academy

The more a child tumbles, climbs, creeps and crawls, the more densely wired the brain becomes for academic success. Movement is the architect of a child’s brain. The two hemispheres of the brain are designed to constantly communicate with one another. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa. Bilateral activities, common to all gymnastics programs, require both sides of the body to work together and separately. Coordinated movement patterns create efficiency in the brain. Efficient pathways create fluent readers who complete reading tasks with ease. For example, during reading, the left hemisphere attends to letters and the sequence of words, while the right side of the brain focuses on comprehending what is read. Reading fluency depends on an intimate conversation between the two hemispheres of the brain– a clear signal, just like a smart phone.

Bouncing on the trampoline, tumbling down a mat, swinging from the bars – all of these activities help wire the brain and integrate the vestibular system. Located in the inner ear, the vestibular system is intricately connected with the brain. Its job is to make sense of all perceived sensory information from the environment and tell us where our bodies are in space. Like the integrative technology of a smart phone, the vestibular system integrates vision, hearing, balance, and skin sensations. If children have poor sensory processing skills, they may have a difficult time learning gymnastics skills or regulating behavior. Weaknesses observed in gymnastics classes may lead to discovering that the child is struggling in school as well.

The No Child Left Behind legislation prompts parents to seek programs that help children meet the mandated academic standards expected of today’s youth. Without your assistance, parents may overlook your gym as a valuable resource. You can help them see the real value of gymnastics programs by linking these programs to academic benefits, which is the focus created by No Child Left Behind and standards-based education.

Duplicate this chart and hand it to every parent who enters your “smart gym.” When parents are cutting corners and deciding what extracurricular activities stay in their budgets, educating families is the key to ensuring your program remains when others may go. Dr. John Ratey calls exercise “Miracle-Gro” for the brain. Adding classes with a smart twist can also be ‘Miracle-Gro” for your business.

How Gym Owners Are Expanding

Marcia Carter, director of the Feather River Recreation Activity Center and former owner of Oroville Gymnastics Learning and Sports Academy, began a program specifically designed to help children be more successful in gymnastics classes and at school. Meeting the needs of the families in her community, she offers specialized classes to build the foundational skills critical for emotional and academic success.

According to local educators, during the past four years they’ve noticed that the kindergarten children from Carter’s preschool program achieve reading goals sooner and with more ease than ever seen before. The children from this particular program are always well-prepared for high state standards expected to be learned by kindergartners. The local educators gave their congratulations for all Carter has done to help kindergarten students achieve these high expectations.

The Feather River Recreation Activity Center is expanding its classes to include Boomers, capitalizing on the need for more services for active seniors while bringing in increased revenue for the facility. Dr. Nancy Bates, owner of Gym Magic Sports Center and Preschool in Las Cruces, N.M., offers classes focusing on building a solid foundation for learning. “We emphasize education and learning. The response from our staff, parents, has been incredibly positive.”

GymMagic created a program, titled Magical Moves (for 6 months to 3 years of age), which has led to partnerships with many early intervention groups. The response has been so positive that the early intervention groups have had to rotate families in and out of Gym Magic’s program because so many families want to participate.

Look for Dr. Nancy Bates’ article in next month’s Technique magazine that explains how she began a successful tutoring program by networking with schools and integrating gymnastics with after-school reading tutoring. She’ll discuss how the program was funded through federal grant money. It’s a must read for all gym owners looking for ways to increase revenue and fund new programs.

Article Produced by: Debra Em Wilson, Reading Specialist, & Marcia Carter, Gym Owner/Coach

If you turn on the local news or read the paper, you’ll see that childhood obesity is on the rise. According to the Center for Disease Control, obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. With the trend of a sedentary lifestyle on the rise, obesity is also on the rise.

According to the CDC participating in physical activity is important for children and teens as it may have beneficial effects not only on body weight, but also on blood pressure and bone strength. Physically active children are also more likely to remain physically active throughout adolescence and possibly into adulthood.

So, enrolling your preschooler in gymnastics is a great foundation for a healthy and active start to life! Let’s look at more reasons why.

IT’S FUN
The number one reason gymnastics is great for kids — it’s FUN. Where else can kids run, jump, flip, swing, tumble and use all of their energy in a single class. If your toddler is active, climbing on everything and jumping on the bed or other furniture, this is a good sign you should find a local gymnastics club near you. Going to the gym allows kids the freedom to have fun in a safe environment.

YOU CAN START YOUNG
Gymnastics is one of the only activities a child can begin when he or she learns to walk. Most sports requires kids to be a certain age. You can’t put your child in soccer, basketball, baseball, football or cheerleading as a toddler. But, gymnastics, allows parents and toddlers to come to class, learn and play. It’s the first form of organized activity in which your child can participate. Then, when your child has mastered the parent-tot class, he or she will advance to the big-kid gymnastics class.

DEVELOPS PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Gymnastics teaches both physical and non-physical benefits and these attributes help with any sport that your child decides to pursue. Gymnastics teaches strength, flexibility, agility, confidence, balance, and allows your child to interact with other children in a social environment where he or she will learn how to take turns and interact with his/her peers. When children learn to swing on the bar, kick to a handstand, jump on a trampoline, climb a rope, or run into a foam pit and climb out — these are all challenging and fun activities that develop a multitude of physical benefits that provide a solid foundation for practically every sport. Ask some of the top athletes how they got their start and many will tell you they took gymnastics lessons at a young age.

DEVELOPS NON-PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Gymnastics also offers cognitive benefits. When children are engaging in gymnastics, they are exercising their brains as well as their bodies. According to Dr. Robyn Silverman, PhD., “Research suggests that there is a strong correlation between physically fit children and academic achievement. This means that every time you send your child to gymnastics class, they’re getting an opportunity to engage in physical exercise that encourages healthy brain function. Nerve cells multiply and connections in the brain are strengthened.

It is not surprising that children who are engaging in consistent physical activity like gymnastics are more likely to get better grades than their inactive peers.”

Putting your child in gymnastics makes sense for a number of reasons. It’s fun, you can start lessons at an early age, it helps your child’s physical and cognitive development, it’s healthy and encourages an active lifestyle.

Article produced by: Luan Peszek