Rhythmic Gymnastics
What is Rhythmic Gymnastics?
Rhythmic Gymnastics requires a high degree of athletic skill and focuses primarily on developing grace, ballet, flexibility, and eye-hand coordination. Routines are choreographed to music and are performed on the floor while using various types of apparatuses including ball, hoop, rope, clubs and ribbon. Gymnasts perform in four of the six events each year; events are rotated every two years (higher levels normally do not compete in the floor event).
IGM Rhythmic Gymnastics program was founded in 1997 and is now one of the leading schools in the United States. All of our classes are taught by certified and experienced coaches including Nataliya Rogozhina-Perlman, former head coach of the Kazakhstan National Team. IGM is home to two former members of the U.S. National Team; Michelle Milstein and Sarah Kudishevich.
We offer classes for girls of all ages and abilities which includes preschool and recreational classes, as well as our fully developed competitive team. Within each program, we strive to develop the full potential of grace, flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, and self confidence in every gymnast.
IGM Gymnastics is the only club that offers a Rhythmic Gymnastics program in the southern half of the Twin Cities metro area, including Burnsville, Savage, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Eagan, Lakeville, , Farmington and Shakopee. Our second location has been established for the communities of Edina, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Richfield, and Bloomington.
Rhythmic Events
Within each event, athletes must perform a set of skills that involve balances, turns, jumps/leaps, flexibility, and aerobatics. Gymnasts must maintain continuous body and apparatus movement throughout each routine.
Rope: involves swings, rotations, tosses, and tricks while holding the rope with one hand or both.
Hoop: involves tosses, spins, and rotations on the hand and other parts of the body.
Ball: involves rolling, tossing, bouncing, and balancing by various parts of the body.
Clubs: involve swings, rotations, tosses, mills, and rhythmical tapping.
Ribbon: involves spirals, snakes, swings, tosses, and figure-eight movements.
Floor: Levels 3 - 8 perform one routine without the use of equipment. This event allows gymnasts to focus primarily on body movement skills without the added challenge of an apparatus.
Group: Five athletes work together as one cohesive group. The gymnasts are evaluated based on the ability to demonstrate mastery of body and apparatus skills in a synchronized manner. The gymnasts must also interact with one another as they perform tricks that engage the whole group.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Competitive Program
IGM's Rhythmic Gymnastics competitive program follows the USAG curriculum, Levels 3-10 and Elite. The appropriate Level for each gymnast is determined base on several elements including age, skill level, and at times a mobility score set by USA Gymnastics.
Level 3
This Level is the initial "evaluation" stage in a gymnast's competitive development. The goals of Level 3 are to learn fundamental skills and to develop proper technique. Gymnasts perform compulsory routines choreographed by USAG which include the floor event and apparatus. An emphasis is placed on proper self-presentation and the preservation of the athlete's physical and emotional well-being.
Level 4 - 6
At this stage, gymnasts progress from one Level to the next by accomplishing specific skills written for each Level within the USAG Code of Points. In these Levels, our coaches continue to focus on developing technique, flexibility, and performance skill of each gymnast. Gymnasts continue to perform compulsory routines at these Levels.
Level 7 & 8
Both Levels are considered optional programs and are designed to prepare gymnasts for the advanced skills of the FIG (International Federation of Gymnastics) program. Gymnasts perform an optional floor routine, as well as three other events that are choreographed by our coach. Optional routines are those that are choreographed by each gymnast's coach instead of by USAG.
Level 9 & 10
Level 9 and above, exclusively follow the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics program and perform only optional apparatus routines. Gymnasts progress to Level 10 once they qualify for the USA National Championships.
Elite
Top 12 athletes in the all-around competition at the USA National Championships earn the Elite status and become part of the U.S. National Team.
