It’s probably not fair to say that gymnastics changed Xochitl Camilla Madrid Estrada’s life, but it is certain that the gymnastics program at Moving Arts Española has had a big impact on her.
Estrada was in the program for three years, starting when she was six and now the McCurdy rising senior has been there two years as an intern/coach.
“I really like it,” Madrid Estrada said of her work at Moving Arts. “At first, I was a little nervous because I didn’t know how to really help kids, especially since I’m still a kid. But going through the whole process is really amazing.”
Estrada will see the results of her work as Moving Arts holds its annual Summer Gymnastics Celebration on Saturday with tumblers from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and more advanced athletes from 1-2:30 p.m., with a Frito pie and bake sale in between. Entry donations of $5 are requested, with the money raised being used to buy top-of-line equipment from a Los Alamos gymnastic school whose owner is retiring.
“I like building relationships with the kids and helping them with problems they might have here or at home,” Madrid Estrada said. “Or goals that they have with gymnastics because it’s just fun and I’m able to learn a bunch of stuff myself, as well.”
As a matter of fact, working with youth is something she said she can see herself doing in the future.
“I’ve been thinking about that and one of my interests would be to help kids,” Madrid Estrada said. “Whether as a child psychologist or something like that.
Nine-year-old Kaylee Sanchez, who spent two years at the Moving Arts gymnastics program before moving on to more competitive training, said the celebration event is special.
“It was a little nerve wracking but it was fun,” she said. “I did good. I wrestle and I’m used to being in front of people so that helped me calm down.”
The celebration is designed to be just that, Roger Montoya, Moving Arts co-founder and creative director said.
“It is a non-competitive program, however, we have such solid training that it’s been a feeder for regional training programs,” he said. “We have such a big group of gymnasts, so we do formal performing arts shows twice a year. We felt it was really important to highlight and showcase the gymnastics programs on its own, spring and in the summer.”
It has been an extremely popular event, he said.
“The kids have worked so hard and are so inspired by taking these classes that they cannot wait to show their families and friends what they do,” Montoya said. “The excitement of putting themselves in a performance space can be very transformative for young ones to express their love of sport and movement.”
The gymnastics program has been exceptionally popular, he said, with generally about 200 children and even some adults regularly taking classes.
“Gymnastics is the cornerstone of our program,” Montoya said. “We have so many kids interested and gymnastics was a major component. It’s an entry for youngsters to gain interest to other forms of art that are offered.”
It can become even more for the participants.
“For me, it’s been a place to go whenever I need someone,” Madrid Estrada said. “It’s an environment where everybody is so unified. They actually care for you. Everyone knows everyone. It’s a place of unity for everyone and you can talk with everyone in a friendly manner.”
Madrid Estrada, who runs track and is on the Bobcats cheerleading team, said she has encouraged some of her fellow cheerleaders to join gymnastics, as well.
“With the gymnastics, I have a lot more coordination and tightness in the movements I do and it helped me with the tumbling,” she said. “As of right now, I’m the only cheerleader to tumble, but I’ve convinced some others on the cheer team to take classes.”
Sanchez also sees the benefits of gymnastics in her other sports.
“I like doing flips and I’m energetic so it helps me get my energy out,” she said. “I like doing it and I like learning new skills. I like learning new things. I think gymnastics helps me with flexibility in wrestling and wrestling helps me in strength with in gymnastics.”