B is for balance

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Balance beam is one of those apparatuses where you are on, or you are definitely off. There is very little in between. Well, except if you can levitate. {I have seen it done before, and it is simply amazing and boggles the mind and leaves you as the spectator wondering how in the world the child stayed on the beam}.

Mikayla has been off for a few weeks now. So much so that she avoided doing beam at all costs. There were many days during the late summer where she was told she would be staying after practice to finish her assignment…Sigh!

I praised and encouraged her, had her watch videos of herself competing the skill that had her mind blocked until I was at a loss for what to do to help her. I have read just about every article there is on mental blocks and how to get over them. Conferences with the coach and nothing seemed to be helping.

Then I backed off. I quit asking about beam after practice and focused on the events she was excelling on. Last season she had a mental block on vault and was not able to flip over it. Now she does it beautifully.

I began to pray specifically for beam for her in my prayer journal. I prayed over her key words and that she would remember to use them when things got tough. Then one day last week, she did 4 series on a beam with mats beneath it. Not going to tell a lie, but I did a happy dance

Does she still have mental blocks, yes! We are not out of the woods yet, but we are making progress and heading in the right direction. And I will take that over no progress at all.

The first meet of the season is just 38 days away. Mikayla wants to compete all 4 events and qualify for State at this meet like she has done in years past. So, I will continue to support her and pray for her daily to find her balance as she competes in this sport she loves so much.

I am linking this post up with Kristi’s #abcblogging over at The Potter’s Hand Academy. Stop by and read everyone’s letter “B” for this week and link up your own post.

In case you missed my previous letters, I will list the links to previous weeks below.

A is for Apples

 

 

 

 

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