# This is incredible - Gymnast with ball. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 6, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040 "2009-01-06T04:20:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/1 "2009-01-06T04:20:50Z")
[I’m guessing this would take a bit of practice.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR1MMDRRhfM) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/2 "2009-01-06T04:23:22Z")
Yeah, but can she dunk? ---
**Author:** ![Between\_the\_Bars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@Between\_the\_Bars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Between_the_Bars)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/3 "2009-01-06T04:26:16Z")
That was really cool! Thanks for sharing! ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/4 "2009-01-06T04:27:05Z")
That’s just not natural. 🙂 That girl’s body movement, timing, and grace is stunning. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/5 "2009-01-06T04:28:54Z")
Ok guys, we are thinking it…I’m gonna say it… Sex with her would just be something else ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/6 "2009-01-06T04:29:26Z")
I was expecting the ping-pong ball trick. ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/7 "2009-01-06T04:35:57Z")
It’s like full-body contact juggling. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/8 "2009-01-06T04:40:21Z")
Obviously she chose a larger ball. I’m guessing her show in Bancock is a sellout. Seriously though that is some impressive rythmic gymnastics. It almost makes me want to see what the other performers do. Did this woman ever win a meddle for it? Dammit, that was a response to **Johnny L.A.**. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/9 "2009-01-06T04:48:12Z")
…and it’s a 12 pound bowling ball ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/10 "2009-01-06T04:51:26Z")
She would make an INCREDIBLE passer. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/11 "2009-01-06T04:55:14Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Sex with her would just be something else I’d think the chick’s ball would get in the way… > [@Daddypants](#): > > …and it’s a 12 pound bowling ball They make bouncing bowling balls now ?! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/12 "2009-01-06T04:56:58Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > She would make an INCREDIBLE passer. You couldn’t possibly get the rock away from her. The NBA would have to invent new rules. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/13 "2009-01-06T05:05:04Z")
It’s called [rhythmic gymnastics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythmic_gymnastics), and can be performed with a variety of objects. I remember watching them all the time on the Olympics. No idea why they aren’t shown anymore because they are quite beautiful. Here are some more examples: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZM02Xo0-yU](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZM02Xo0-yU) (Ribbon - always my favorite) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjL5uIsdBE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjL5uIsdBE) (Hoop) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26S6UkW82yA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26S6UkW82yA) (Clubs) These are montages: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Viu7U8_IhD4/hqdefault.jpg "Rhythmics is NOT easy!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viu7U8_IhD4) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9KxdPJDVMso/hqdefault.jpg "Rhythmic Gymnastics: Good Luck For 2008") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KxdPJDVMso) ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/14 "2009-01-06T05:15:32Z")
Wow, that is really impressive. On the other hand, imagine what condition her spine will be in ten years from now. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/15 "2009-01-06T05:16:16Z")
I think they don’t show rythmic gymnastics because it would get in the way of the big draw womens gymnastics. I don’t know how the fan base compares to real gymnastics\*. I think the real question is “What sport would mainstream media show less of in order to accomodate more rythmic gymnastics.” Even among gymnasts, it’s kind of a weird cousin it. At least it was twenty years ago when I was a gymnast. - err, perhaps my bias of having been a male gymnast is showing. Unfortunately, I am aware of how unpopular it is with the general public. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/16 "2009-01-06T05:16:37Z")
They teach little kids this at the place where I used to have my dance class. They also do hoops and streamers. We did a joint recital and I was completely blown away by the balance and coordination of these little (6, 7 year old) girls! Sure they made some mistakes and didn’t have the polish or absolute command of the girl in the video, but boy, by the time they’re 12 or 13, they’ll be awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/17 "2009-01-06T05:17:56Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > Wow, that is really impressive. > > On the other hand, imagine what condition her spine will be in ten years from now. I’m just curious, is there some deleterious effect on the spine of being very flexible? Because I have always assumed the opposite. Also: What spine? I didn’t see any spine… ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/18 "2009-01-06T05:20:25Z")
You know, I did this for a while when I was much younger (rythmic gymnastics). I, uh, didn’t look like that… ETA: **Hilarity N. Suze** - I’m hyper-flexible pretty well everywhere (including spine) - it is good for injury prevention because things that would cause a sprain or break for other people I don’t notice; however, my ligaments are hyper extended and so don’t provide the support to the joints that they do for other people. Despite still being able to do a rather attractive back bend despite being an old lady (if I do say so myself), I get low back pain sometimes because of the lack of support. Problem is, eventually she’s going to have to stop doing that and when her muscles aren’t quite so strong or young she could have issues that way. Other than that, not much problem. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/19 "2009-01-06T05:23:41Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > I’m just curious, is there some deleterious effect on the spine of being very flexible? Because I have always assumed the opposite. For example, I know a couple of people who have broken their backs doing backbends. If they’re sufficiently flexible, the pressure can be concentrated in too small an area rather than being spread out along a longer segment of the spine. There are several Pilates teachers and LMTs I know who refuse to watch performances of acrobats, Cirque du Soleil, etc. because they can’t keep themselves from cringing at what the performers are doing to their bodies. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040/20 "2009-01-06T05:36:57Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > For example, I know a couple of people who have broken their backs doing backbends. If they’re sufficiently flexible, the pressure can be concentrated in too small an area rather than being spread out along a longer segment of the spine. Most likely they were taught bad technique. This is an extremely common problem in all forms of gymnastics, and it is one of the reasons people pay big money to have their kids attend expensive classes with olympian teachers. The wrong technique will handicap you for life, and I’d say 90% of all gymnastics instructor teach very bad technique. If you’ve ever seen those gymnastics trophies with the person doing a handstand with their head looking at the ground and the back arched, what you are looking at is an extremely shitty handstand that will definitely result in an injury if it isn’t corrected. A correct handstand can barely see the ground because your head is practically looking at the wall. In fact when learning it, they won’t let you look at the ground at all. I wont let my daughter do gymnastics because I know there are no good instructors in my area. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-incredible-gymnast-with-ball/480040.md?page=2)