Gymnastics Poses for Pictures

The 2017 meet season is approaching and you and your gymnast are looking to update her gymnastics photo that is sitting above the fireplace along with the rest of your family pictures.

A lot has happened within the last year, whether your gymnast moved up a level (or two, or maybe three!) or maybe she is on a different team. Maybe she likes her competition leo better this year, or maybe her face has matured since last year. Whatever the reason may be, it can be complicated to think of a trendy gymnastics pose for her to do for the picture.

Lucky for you, I have listed poses your gymnast can do below along with how your gymnast can accomplish them!

Straddle Pose

• Start by sitting down on your butt normally while facing forward.
• While facing forward, start to spread your legs open in a V position as if you were trying to do an open split.
• Once you have accomplished the V position, you want to place your arms straight out on your sides (as if you were trying to touch your right foot with your right arm and if you were trying to touch your left foot with your left arm).
• Stretch as far back as you can for you want the V position to turn into a perfect alignment.

Split Pose

A good way to start this position is to get into a lunge.

• Start by placing your right leg bent in front of you, and your left leg behind you. Make sure your left leg is straight and not bent.
• While you are in this position, start moving your left leg further away from you, causing you to get closer to the ground.
• Once you have moved your back left leg as far as you can, straighten out your front right leg and start pushing it away from you as well.
• Go as far as you can, hopefully making it so both your legs are lying straight on the ground!

Scorpion Pose

• Start by standing totally straight and bending the knee of the leg you want to use and raise it up behind you.
• Whatever leg you started to raise behind you (let say you used your left leg) use your (left) hand to wrap around your (left) foot. As you are doing this, your back is going to begin to bend or form an arch.
• Start trying to lift your leg higher behind you, enough for your other arm (right arm) to be able to reach back and grab hold of your (left) leg as well.
• With the help of both arms, pull your (left) leg as high as you can and straighten out your (right) leg.

Heel Stretch Pose

• Start by facing forward and standing straight.
• Place one leg out in front of you.
• Straight raising your leg higher to the point where your hand will be able to grab it to support it and lift it up more. If you are using your left leg, use your leg hand to grab it. If you are using your right leg, use your right hand to grab it.
• Your hand should be wrapped around the heel part of your foot.
• While you are pulling your leg up as far as you can towards your face, when you have reached the distance you can go, make sure to place your other arm (that is not holding your foot) in a high V position.

Scale Pose

The scale pose is like the scorpion pose but instead of grabbing your foot, you will be grabbing the inside of your knee.

• Start by standing totally straight and bending the knee of the leg you want to use and raise it up behind you.
• Whatever leg you started to raise behind you (let’s say you used your left leg) use your (left) hand to wrap around your (left) foot. As you are doing this, your back is going to begin to bend or form an arch.
• Start trying to lift your leg higher behind you, enough for your other arm (right arm) to be able to reach back and grab hold of your (left) leg as well.
• With the help of both arms, pull your (left) leg as high as you can and straighten out your (right) leg.
• Once you have reached as far as you can go, start bending forward so you can slide your arms down to be able to grip the back of your knee.

Arabesque Pose

This pose is more simple than the rest, and is quite elegant! This pose is very popular in ballet too.

• Start by standing straight and facing forward.
• Place your dominant leg out in front of you (make sure it is straight) and start to bend forward, placing all your weight on your dominant leg.
• Let’s say your right leg is your dominant leg, now place your right arm out in front of you.
• Start to raise your non-dominate leg out behind you and make sure it is straight!
• Now let’s say your left leg is your non-dominate leg, now place your left arm straight out on your left side.

Elbow Stand Pose

This pose will consist of a lot of core and hip strength and control!

• Start by getting into a “quarter dog” position and spread your fingers apart.
• Place your feet together to the point where your two big toes are touching. Once your big toes are touching each other, raise your right leg towards the sky behind you (still keeping your left leg straight).
• Once your right leg is in the air, you want to keep your head between your hands, looking straight out.
• While your right leg is raised behind you, you want to give a little push so that you can kick your left leg in the air as well. It will look as if you are doing a split in the air.

Even though I named a few positions along with descriptions, we are always open to more ideas and explanations. Please feel free to comment below and give suggestions when it comes to posing for pictures for gymnastics!