![\"Megan](\"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_1549-300x226.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn the craziness of life, it seems we often have to choose between our health and social life. That\u2019s not the case with Megan and Adamah.<\/p>\n
Read how this duo strengthens their friendship bond and create a community around a shared love of a gymnastics, adventure, and fun!<\/p>\n
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Megan:<\/em> \u00a0I first started gymnastics when I was a kid. I moved back to NYC and was really missing it. I found Chelsea Piers offered adult classes. I went for a year in a half and then got really busy with work so I stopped going. \u00a0Then my friend Adamah moved back to NYC from Philly and I convinced him to come with me to the class.<\/span><\/p>\n Adamah:\u00a0<\/em>I did gymnastics when I was a kid for less than a year but had to stop because of scheduling. Megan knew I was kind of into it because we had done some when we first met. \u00a0We were talking about how we never saw each other in years. We lived in different countries and different states. When we were finally back in NYC we thought this would be a good way to bond and try something new. \u00a0I got hooked. From that, we strengthened our friendship and formed a larger group.<\/span><\/p>\n Megan<\/em>:<\/em> Yeah, it was just the two of us but we started going consistently and then met people who were doing the same so now we are a solid group of 6. \u00a0We have gone to gym competitions, do a cabin trip every year, hang out outside. It\u2019s really fun our group has grown and we\u2019ve made even more friends.<\/span><\/p>\n Adamah:<\/em> If I were to give you one sentence it\u2019s because I get to fly. \u00a0I love that you can work on different things. I get bored really quickly and there are so many things you can focus on in gymnastics. There are cartwheels, round offs, handstands, and even with complicated things, you can work on basic things. I also like that as someone who is getting a little older but still concerned at health it allows me to stay physically healthy as well as a social network of people who are the same age but still want to be active.<\/span><\/p>\n Megan<\/em>:<\/em> There are so many things that bring me joy about gymnastics. \u00a0The flying piece is what I have loved ever since a kid. I would tumble everywhere off coffee tables, couches, everything. \u00a0I almost go back into being a kid again- it\u2019s just so much fun! It\u2019s also a mental thing for me, I can get really bored easily. \u00a0I hate running I feel it is boring. Gymnastics uses your mind and body. It’s\u2019 real physics. Creating goals also allows me to feel like I am working towards something and that gives me a lot. \u00a0On top of a busy work schedule to be working on something for myself feels really good.<\/span><\/p>\n Megan<\/em>:<\/em> It\u2019s so fun because there is a consistent crew now. \u00a0After a tiring day at the office, I am excited to go to gymnastics but also see my friends If you see us before workouts were on the floor always running and giving each other big hugs. We are also such a supportive group. \u00a0We\u2019re always cheering each other on. People will clap for you when they know what you are working towards. It\u2019s such a fun and supportive group. We\u2019ll often go out for drinks afterward, have time to chill. And its people that I might not exactly meet in my day today. \u00a0We all do very different things. I work in education so most of the people I interact with are from education backgrounds. With gymnastics, I am able to connect with people of different professions. It\u2019s fun to extend my friend group in diverse ways.<\/span><\/p>\n Adamah<\/em>:<\/em> Yes, I echo that! \u00a0When people see gym like on TV I think people think it\u2019s super competitive but where we go we cheer each other on. \u00a0When you see your friends working on something and nail it you are just as proud of them as they are. Also, gymnastics is international and so you can go anywhere and see people cheer each other on. \u00a0In our group of friends, we represent Russia, Poland, Egypt, Ireland, and America. Our friends did gymnastics in their home country and how they continue it here in NYC So it\u2019s not just diverse occupations its diverse backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n Adamah<\/em>:<\/em> It\u2019s great because you have to focus so much on the movement you are doing and you have to be quick in making decisions. \u00a0You have to change your focus, literally at the drop of a dime. So you have to be cognizant and alert. IT also helps you to focus on something that is just for you and your work. \u00a0I had a very stressful time at work this past year so for 90 minutes I would focus on nothing but gymnastics. I leave my phone off the mat. It gives me a break from everything else in my life and focuses on me on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n Megan<\/em>: It is such a work for your mind and it builds a lot of confidence and trust. \u00a0You know that you\u2019re going to fall but you get back up again. This is one of the most important things gymnastics taught me. \u00a0I can do this but I have to put in the effort. This has branched out to other parts of my life I am capable and able to do this.<\/span><\/p>\n Megan<\/em>:<\/em> I think it\u2019s pretty obvious but what places gymnastics apart is its strength, flexibility it\u2019s really well rounded. \u00a0I have people come and the next day they are like \u2018ah I\u2019m feeling these muscles that I haven\u2019t before.<\/span><\/p>\n Adamah:<\/em> I\u2019ve done a lot of workouts to help gymnastics skills. \u00a0I do pushups work on my calves, and now, for example, I am working on my core because you need to be able to engage it quickly for gymnastics.<\/span><\/p>\n Megan<\/em>:<\/em> How fun it is! \u00a0\u00a0I know that I am going to have not just a good workout but a party. \u00a0Our coaches play the best music. Shout out to Jon B. his music tracks are the best. I feel I am back in HS. The endorphins also kick in and help me connect back to me and my soul.<\/span><\/p>\n Adamah<\/em>:<\/em> IT\u2019s like climbing Mt. Everest. \u00a0For years, I have worked on a move called standing back tuck. I stopped doing it once on a trampoline and landed on my neck. \u00a0I was fine but it was a traumatic experience- if I was on the floor I would. I stopped doing it but then started doing it again and again. When I landed it was so good for my soul. \u00a0When I could do it again without a spot it felt like I had climbed a mountain. IT was confidence, you can do it! That\u2019s good for your soul. There is also a community of gymnastics that is so good for my soul. \u00a0It\u2019s like Cheers, everybody knows your name! We know the name of the people behind the front desk, coaches, it\u2019s a community. We give hugs, sit around with your friends, dance and flip. It\u2019s heavenly.<\/span><\/p>\n Adamah<\/em>: People can naturally connect here because it\u2019s an open class. \u00a0Most gyms in the city host open hours at any given time. You will have people who come often and people who don\u2019t. \u00a0But we go up to people who are new and introduce ourselves. We form groups to hang out outside of the class too, similar to the hangouts we\u2019ve formed with our core gymnastics friends. We went to see the world championships and ended up linking up with our coaches from Chelsea Piers. \u00a0We also have a regular habit of going to a competition in the NYC area. We\u2019ll announce \u201chey we\u2019re looking to go to a competition, pumpkin patch, or beach, who wants to go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Megan:<\/em> Yeah and do many things with our gymnastics friends outside of class. \u00a0Even with our coaches. Sometimes gymnastics things sometimes not.<\/span><\/p>\n Megan:<\/em> So far two years in a row we\u2019ve done a cabin trip. \u00a0This year we also went to the Poconos, it was super fun. We try to plan things, especially in the winter because it is a good time to get away from the city.<\/span> Adamah<\/em>:<\/em> Look for activities where you can expand your network and try something new. \u00a0NYC tends to have redundant circles and it would be the same people- even just one degree of separation. \u00a0Look for something new. It\u2019s New York there are so many wonderful people here. Find something that fits you and is sustainable. Something that comforts me is seeing gymnasts who are older than me. 40s 50s, 60s, 70s, so I know I can continue to enjoy this sport well into my older age. <\/span><\/p>\n Megan<\/em>: Don\u2019t feel turned off if you haven\u2019t done gymnastics before. \u00a0But for my soul, it was so good because I had done it when I was younger. \u00a0Generally being able to connect brings that kid back out in me. If you are really stuck on new things to try think of \u2018what made me happy as a kid\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n Sound like you want to give gymnastics a try? \u00a0Check out the schedule at Chelsea Piers.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Read more stories for the soul in search here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Looking for your healthy tribe? Keep up with the Wellvyl tribe on IG<\/a>!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/h4>\n
What brings you joy about gymnastics?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
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What do you love about doing gymnastics with friends?<\/em><\/h3>\n
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How would you say your gymnastics connects to our social pillars<\/a> at Wellvyl?<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"Wellvyl's](\"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Mind-200px-150x150.png\")
<\/a>Healthy Mind<\/h3>\n\u00a0
![\"Wellvyl's](\"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/body1-150x150.png\")
<\/a>Healthy Body<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Wellvyl's](\"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Soul-200px-150x150.png\")
<\/a>Healthy Soul<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Wellvyl's](\"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Social-200px-150x150.png\")
<\/a>Healthy Social<\/h3>\nAny fun adventures come out of this:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Healthy](\"https:\/\/wellvyl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_1343-300x226.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Our annual cabin getaway<\/p>\nWhat other thoughts do you have to share with our readers?<\/em><\/h3>\n