Tai Ji Quan™: Moving for Better Balance aims to improve balance, coordination, and stability using gentle, low-impact movements based on the forms of Tai Chi. This progressive, evidence-based, 24-week program meets twice a week for one hour. Tai Ji Quan can accommodate individuals who need some assistance with walking, such as use of a cane. Financial assistance is available, reach out to Cindy Lafond, Executive Director of Health Interventions (clafond@graniteymca.org or 603.232.8668) for more information.

In addition to the program’s physical benefits, the safe, supportive group setting provides an opportunity for participants to enjoy learning with like-minded adults and find relief from the isolation that can sometimes come from living with limited mobility. All levels welcome.

Engaging kids in a martial arts practice can help to improve their confidence, mental wellbeing, and physical fitness!  Led by Master Andrew Jefferson, this all-levels class teaches Tae Kwon Do fundamentals in a structured but encouraging environment.

This class is for young climbers age 10-17 who are new to climbing or are progressing from our Kids Rock class.  Climbers will be challenged to work through specific and progressive routes, learn to safely belay others, and rappel.  NO CLASS ON JULY 4th.

This class is the perfect next step for young climbers who have developed their skills in our Level 2 Climbing class. Must be able to tie in a climber, know climbing commands, belay others with an ATC and know how to rappel. Climbers will continue to be challenged to work through routes, learn new techniques and will learn to safely belay others with a Gri Gri.  NO CLASS ON JULY 4th.

Have fun, make friends, and learn to climb in our Kids Rock class!  Our instructors will teach your child basic climbing techniques, as well as introduce them to basic safety techniques and equipment.

This class is a great introduction to climbing for young kids.  We will play games, provide coaching and belays, and help your child build confidence!  Please note, one parent is required to be present.

This class is for women with any level experience in rock climbing.  This class is intended for women to have a place to climb together.  Bring your own gear or use the gear we have in the gym.  Participants will learn to belay as well as practice climbing skills such as rappelling, working through specific routes, and generally progressing knowledge and ability with other women.

This program is designed to give swimmers a more competitive workout with swimmers of their ability and training level.  Lanes will be split by ability and practices will be designed and implemented by a YMCA swim coach.  This is a great opportunity to train with like-minded swimmers and to challenge each other, get a great workout, and have fun!  A $25 deposit gets you started and monthly dues are charged automatically at the start of the month.

If you are unsure if this group is right for you, or for more information, please contact Adam Gaulin, Tiger Sharks Head Coach.

Parent or Adult must accompany student during this class! Children learn creative movement and music, develop gross motor skills, explore our obstacle course, and participate in group activities.  Must be three years old by first class.

Through group instructions and obstacle courses, your preschooler will learn beginner gymnastics skills using all of the gymnastics equipment.  Must be four years old by first class.

For Preschoolers age 4-6.  Have you ever watched American Ninja Warrior and thought it looked fun? Here is your opportunity to try both Ninja and Gymnastics in one class. With the use of our Gymnastics 2 Ninja system, warrior obstacles, the tumble track and pit, you can come and explore gymnastics and ninja all rolled into one!

For First Graders and older.  Have you ever watched American Ninja Warrior and thought it looked fun?  Here is your opportunity to try both Ninja and Gymnastics in one class.  With the use of our Gymnastics 2 Ninja system, warrior obstacles, the tumble track and pit, you can come and explore gymnastics and ninja all rolled into one!

For First Grade and up. On beam, girls will work on proper mounting, high kicks, and jump off with controlled landing.  On bars, they will work on a basic pullover, swing and handhops, and jump to front support.  On the floor, they will work on forward rolls, cartwheels, and incline mat backward rolls.  On vault, they will work on tuck jumps, squat-ons, and two footed jump-ups from a pit mat.

Must have mastered, been evaluated by the Gymnastics Director or Assistant Gymnastics Director and been promoted out of Level 1 -  On beam, girls will work on advanced gross motor skills, jumps, and handstands.  On bars, they will work on pullovers, swing and turns, and jump sole circles, casts and backhipcircles.  On the floor, they will work on handstand bridge kickovers, roundoffs, and backward rolls.  On vault, they will work on handstand flops, squat-ons, and rolls on the pit mat and over the vault

Must have mastered and been promoted out of Level 2 or attended Hot Shot 1 - See Gymnastics for an evaluation.  Girls will work on two foot pullovers, cast back, hip circles, and underswings off bars. Swing up mount, tuck jumps and handstands on high beam.  Handstand to bridge kickovers, backbends, and handstand forward rolls on floor.  Handstand flop on 8' mat and basic handstand flop on pit mat on vault.

Participants must be current members of the competitive gymnastics team to participate. Please contact Gymnastics Director Meg Norklun at 603.232.8661. These in-person practices give the members of the competitive team workouts that focus on stretching, conditioning, strength building, and competitive apparatus work for both compulsory and optional gymnasts in Competitive Levels 3-9 and Xcel.  Girls must stick to the days they choose for practice.

Times

Monday: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Wednesday: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Thursday: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Registration for the Travis Mills Meet for all levels hosted by Decal Gymnastics in Augusta, ME. Day and time of meet has not been determined. Registrations received after October 13 will be assessed a $10 late fee.

Are you entering 9th or 10th grade and you were interested in learning how to coach gymnastics? Then this is the class for you. Work with qualified staff as they teach how to work with children teaching both gymnastics and Ninja. You will work with a variety of students aged 4-10 and you will learn what it is like to be a gymnastics and Ninja Coach. You will also be given time to work out in the gymnastics center to improve your personal gymnastics skills. Come for one or as many weeks as you would like. Must have 3 years of gymnastics experience and have Gymnastics Director's approval to register for program. For more information email Gymnastics Director Meg Norklun at megnorklun@graniteymca.org.

The most important part of any class is to have fun while being introduced or progressing in this life long sport!  Children will continue to develop movement skills, hand-eye coordination, and basic stroke production.  Games are designed to promote fundamentals and interests on the court.  This class uses red foam balls and is designed to introduce children to the game of tennis.  Red felt low-compression balls that bounce lower and move through the air slower than traditional tennis balls are used in this class. Players play using net heights of 2 feet on 36'x39' courts.  With smaller courts, shorter racquets, and lower bouncing balls, youth players will achieve greater physical activity and feel successful at tennis right from the start.

Using a 60’ court on regular nets, Advanced Hitters use orange foam balls that bounce lower and move through the air slower than traditional tennis balls. With smaller courts, shorter racquets, and lower bouncing balls, youth players will achieve greater physical activity and feel successful at tennis right from the start. Slightly faster balls and larger courts help your child build more advanced techniques and improve their tennis skills. Fun drills keep kids moving as they learn more about team and individual play in tennis.  Games are designed to promote fundamentals and interests on the court. Participants should have taken Basic Hitters prior to participating in this class.

This class is for the beginner players age 10-13 or a younger player moving up from Advanced Hitters.  The class focuses on stroke development looking for good acquisition of the forehand and backhand, different grips and proper form for volleys and serves as well as  other mechanics. Footwork, proper technique, games and drills will prepare the player for competitive rallies. Tactics are introduced in this class.  60‘ courts and orange balls are used.

This class is for the beginner II players looking to learn a lifelong sport.   Players should have completed the Beginner I classes with the instructor recommending moving to Beginner II.  The class focuses on further stroke development looking for good acquisition of the forehand and backhand, different grips and proper form for volleys, serves as well as  other mechanics. Footwork, proper technique, games and drills will prepare the player for more competitive play. Match play begins here with instruction on tactics, rules, and proper etiquette in games.

By Invitation Only – please contact the Tennis Director for approval, USTA Tournaments/Rankings may be required.

The perfect class for the junior tennis player actively pursuing year-round competition and sanctioned tournament participation.  In addition to on-court instruction and workouts, off-court sport science topics are also introduced.

Developed for juniors who are looking to compete in USTA events, this program is an all-around tournament training program that covers the same regimen and full spectrum of other top junior programs in the country.  Proper dynamic warm-ups, technique, drilling, mental exercises, visualization, footwork, workouts, stretching, and match play are covered.  This is the type of program that many professionals and top players use to begin their career including most of the top high school players and New Hampshire State Champions over the past 20 years.

Multiple classes (two-three days per week) are recommended, please contact Tennis Director David Brown, 603.232.8688 or dbrown@graniteymca.org for scheduling options.

*Must have tennis director‘s or instructor‘s approval or be evaluated to move to this level.

This class is geared towards boys and girls that already have a good sense of the game of tennis. Using the full court and regular balls, this class is designed to improve consistency and accuracy. Players at this level are able to play matches. Each practice develops technical and strategic tactics for different playing situations associated with the game of tennis.

We will meet in Portsmouth, NH and explore the historic neighborhood of Strawberry Banke.  Bring money for any gift shop shopping and/or lunch aferwards.  There is no transportation provided.  We will meet in front of the museum at 9:50 am.  Carpooling is encouraged.