As a young athlete having the chance to stretch before sports events is great! However, mat or barre classes are a lot better! Saturday mornings before soccer games are a great time for mat class. Any challenging stretch is a pass for me, but no worries if there is a stretch too challenging I can just get some water! Any mat or barre class is wonderful for track athletes or athletes with tight hamstrings, you may also work on balance. Mat class has totally helped me with soccer and I’m sure it will help with track when the season starts. If your child does sports check with their coach, do the kids stretch before practice and games? If they don’t that could lead to injuries. Popular soccer injuries involve your lower half of the body and mat class works on your hamstrings a lot, but the stretches work on different places of your body evenly. Massages will completely change your life. I’m sure you’ve had a massage before but if you are not doing any mat or barre classes then find one right now! I highly recommend Gyrotonic, AKA Gyro! If you have trouble fitting it into your schedule, no problem, last minute cancels happen all the time. So call to see if you can get a class. Mat class is an amazing experience for me! My brother has only done one mat class but loved it! I have never experienced a full barre class but a mini barre class was what I experienced. I love the teachers and clients! Any Pilates studio is awesome. Private or group lessons are good for your days off. The teachers are amazing!  My favorite Saturdays are the ones I go to mat class. Once again, if you are not going to any mat, Pilates, barre, or gyro class you really should! 

               Greta Lee, age 8