Calisthenics – what the hell?
There is a 'sport' out there known for its baton twirling and strange make up, i'm talking about Calisthenics. Each weekend an army of young girls apply their makeup, use a can or two of hairspray and take to the floor in a demonstration of a very strange artform.
The Victorian Calisthenics body describes the activity as "An Australian artistic sport, combining gymnastics, marching, singing, simplified ballet, folk and modern dance" could you think of anything more boring? At what point did the inventors think that gymnastics and marching and the rest, would work together? And add to that, calling it a sport is very degrading to the other real sports out there.
I first saw what a calisthenics participant looks like one day whilst working at McDonalds. A flurry of gaggling eight year olds entered the store and almost gave me a heart attack. I thought the small lost tribe of Mars aliens had decided to eat breakfast at my store. But upon reading one of the mums jackets I realised I was dealing with the oddest of people.
There is something sacred about the key elements of a good sporting code. Whether it be a ball, team work, rough play or even athletic prowess. It excites the soul and enriches the passion for watching the specticle that is your chosen sport. Then there is this 'sport' of which begs the question why it is even called a sport, when clearly it is about mums living through their daughters and also keeping the hairspray industry in BMW's and flashy houses. Which leads me to my next point (of which I will write a dedicated blog about), the huge hairspray cans that always claim to provide 20% extra. Who would give away that much free content?
Anyhow, stranger things happen every weekend that would make this activity look merely a kitten. But still its scary and wrong on so many levels. Please stop for decency's sake.
March 30th, 2010 - 19:12
Interesting story. I do calisthenics on a daily basis. But I aim for health only.
May 7th, 2010 - 22:17
before you judge our very unique sport i think you should take a better look at all the hours of training that go into it, and what the SPORT is really about… mothers are not living through their daughters lives, many many girls beg there mums to go and it adds variety to the other dance classes available. how much research have you bothered to put into this??? i would think very little as you clearly have no idea about what calisthenics really is. we do not compete every weekend competitions are a very exciting part for all participants male and female. by being a participant in calisthenics almost all pupils gain confidence, not only self confidence and self-esteem but also confidence to get out there and show off there talents. it is not only about teaching girls to put on “stage makeup” and HAIR SPRAY but also teaches them commitment, determination to achieve, how to work well as a team and overall everyone makes strong friendships and has fun. before you make uneducated statements i believe you should futher look into things and not slander such a great sport.
May 10th, 2010 - 18:15
i think what you are writing about is rubbish!!
Have you even see what a champion team of girls can do? I’ve been doing calisthenics for 12 years, and it has taught me many great lessons in life that i think other people don’t seem to have in their lives anymore. The people in your team become your bestfriends for life, because you share the same passion as each other.
Some parents do live through their daughters, but it’s up to the girl whether or not they want to do it anymore. if they have had enough they would obviously say something.
I think you should know a little bit more about a subject if you are going to criticise it, you would have no idea what it means to some people.