Our first episode in our new series Mind of A… we look at the Mind of a Bar worker part #1 with two time JO National Bar Champion Alyssa Al-Ashari from Twistars Gymnastics. Alyssa breaks down her overall plan for bars at competition from warm-ups to competition. Doctor Alison Arnold owner of Head Games points out the mental techniques Alyssa is using and how you can incorporate similar techniques in your training and competition. This video will be helpful for anyone who struggles with meet performance anxiety or just struggles to stay calm and focused in a meet.
Ashley Hofelich of Oakland Gymnastics will be entering into her Senior year of High School this fall and her final year of JO Club Gymnastics. Ashley, who is a beautiful athlete to watch on the competition floor, qualified to her first JO National Championships this past year along with two of her Oakland Teammates. Ashley, who is undecided on her college plans, will certainly make an impact in her senior season. I look forward to seeing her on the competition floor this season. Let’s get to know Ashley a little bit better as she wraps up her JO Career.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was 3 years old when I first started gymnastics. My parents put me in a class because I was a hyper kid, and I have loved it ever since.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is beam.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is being able to flip through the air to find the perfect landing and the feeling you get when you hit a routine.
What college do you plan on attending? I am currently undecided on where I am going to college.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is The Oakland Classic which we hosted. There was always lots of energy and all my teammates would come to cheer each other on.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is making it to J.O Nationals this year.
Favorite skill to train and/or compete? My favorite skill to train and compete is a double pike on floor.
Dream skill? My dream skill would be to compete a full-in on floor.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire my coaches who have gotten me to where I am today and have taught me many life lessons that will carry on with me forever.
What is your all-time favorite leotard? Do you still your very first leo? My all-time favorite leo would have to be Oakland’s competition Leo’s this year. I love how our colors changed and they are now blue, and the ombre style is popular this year. I do still have my first leo.
What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Miracle. I enjoy watching hockey and the movie is motivational.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to playlist is anything that is fast and upbeat to get me moving and pumped.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be involved in business, and am leaning towards accounting.
Where do you go to High School? I go to Novi High School.
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is blue.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics, I like to hangout with friends, go on vacation, or just relax and watch Netflix.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment is when I was little, I finished my beam routine and walked away completely not realizing that I didn’t salute to the judges.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast, I would try Track, Soccer, or Cheerleading.
Favorite Vacation Destination? My favorite vacation destination is basically anywhere with a beach, but my favorite is Grand Cayman.
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? I would like to have lunch with my Grandpa on my dad’s side. He passed away before I was born, and I wish I would have gotten to know him.
Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I played softball up until I was around 10 years old.
Check out Ashley rocking her favorite event the Balance Beam
Region 5 is Making their Move into 2018. Check out some of the new skills being done from our gymnasts around the Region. If you want your upgrades to be included in future Making Your Move posts upload your video to your Instagram page and tag us @region5gyminsider.
Gianna Gerdes, GymXtreme: New 1 1/2 thru to double back combo
New video series coming to the Region 5 Insider looking at the mental side of the sport in various competitive and training situations. The Mind of A will look at how individual athletes use the mental game to their advantage with tips and tricks on how to master the craft. The first episode will be Mind of A… Bar Worker Part#1 and will feature two time JO National Bar Champion Alyssa Al-Ashari.
In each episode, Doctor Alison Arnold owner of Head Games will give her insights to the mental techniques the athletes are using and how you can incorporate similar techniques in your training and competition. This series will be helpful for gymnastics mental training for both practice and competition. Our first episode coming Wednesday July 17th.
Amira Ali, of Oakland Gymnastics, has finished up her last JO Club season with her long time club and Region 5. In the fall MiMi will embark on a new journey [college gymnastics] in Wisconsin at The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Amira, who is the younger sister of Region 5 Alum Riahanah Ali, has her sisters same “must watch” style on the floor and vault. The Ali sisters definitely know how to bring down the house during their floor routines they are always crowd favorites, especially being backed up by their mom Dyan [who knows every move] and the Oakland fan section. Let’s get to know Amira a little better as she leaves Region 5 and Oakland Gymnastics behind and heads for the cheese state.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was three when my cousin had a birthday party at a gymnastics Training center and from then on I was put into gymnastic classes.
What is your favorite event? Vault
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? Getting new skills and being able to grow with my coaches and team.
What college do you plan on attending? University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Luau in Leos
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? Being Level 9 National vault champion
