Le Ray Gymnastics | Sydney Australia

The Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Series Part 7: The First Ever Aussie Group

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 06:03:09 -0700

The Future is Group

Tokyo represents the start of an exciting new era for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Australia. As a country, our young rhythmic gymnasts now have 5 times more chances to go to the Olympics!

In this video interview Dani Le Ray talks about the future of Group with Australia's first ever Olympic group members:

Alannah Mathews
Alexandra Aristoteli
Emily Abbot
Felicity White
Himeka Oneda

In this video you will learn:

About this exciting new pathway to the Olympics
The benefits and challenges of group when compared to individuals
The Group's signature move: The Koala! (keep an eye out for it!)
How to best manage the dynamic when training as a group

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The Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Series Part 6: Lidiia Iakovleva

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 03:22:21 -0700

With the most disrupted Olympics ever hear how Lidiia has approached her run to Tokyo.

In this video interview with Dani Le Ray & Lidiia Iakovleva you'll hear:

The shock news that she (temporarily) quit the week of her qualifying competition 😱
How she capitalised on online training to develop her overlooked areas
Her journey to being an Olympian
What impact Covid has had on her preparation and how she managed it
Her advice on using lockdown to your advantage to catch up to competitors
Why identifying her strengths and doubling down on them has been pivotal to her success

If you live the Rhythmic Life subscribe below to never miss a post

Where To Buy Rhythmic Gymnastics Clothing & Equipment in Australia

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 17:42:33 -0700

We've compiled a list of the Australian rhythmic gymnastics retailers you need to know!

1. Bagit RG

Great for: Trend Seekers and Accessory Queens

Queensland based Bagit RG, have it all! They not only have a great range of functional training accessories but also all the hair accessories a gymnast could need!

Price: $$$

RG Range: High

Where you can find them: Online

Our picks:

Crystal tiara hair accessory ($5 bargain!)

RG Gifts

Great range of hoop tape

2. AMCO Gymnastics

Great for: Classic RG Equipment

Based in Melbourne, AMCO was once the only way you could quickly get hold of apparatus and RG equipment. Their range is broad and stocks are high!

Price: $$$

RG Range: High

Where you can find them: Online

Our picks:

How to do Hair & Makeup for Rhythmic Gymnastics Competitions

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 17:46:45 -0700

By popular demand, we have put together a guide on how to get the perfect look whether you are getting yourself or your daughter competition ready.

HAIR

For Rhythmic Gymnastics competitions, gymnasts' hair must be tightly tied back in a clean bun.

To achieve this hairstyle you will need:

2x hair elastics
Hairspray
Hairbrush
Fine tooth comb
Packet of bobby pins (for loose hair)
Packet of open bun pins (for the bun)
Bun net (2x for thick hair)
Gel (optional)

We recommend purchasing these products at your local Priceline or Chemist Warehouse. Lady Jayne is our recommended brand.

Please find the video below which explains exactly how to get the look!

Makeup

For makeup, we recommend a smokey eye with either brown, black or silvery colours with mascara. We also suggest a pink blush with red lipstick.

Please find images below as a guide:

Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned vet in Rhythmic Gymnastics, this simple guide to perfect hair and makeup is an easy way to feel and look your best for any upcoming competition!

What to Wear to Rhythmic Gymnastics

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 22:58:42 -0800

If you're new, welcome to the glorious world of rhythmic gymnastics!

Use the information below as your go-to guide for your very first rhythmic gymnastics lesson! This is a basic introduction to what you'll need, if you're ready for some fancier apparel or equipment, check out our post on the best RG retailers in Australia!

What to Wear

Anything form-fitting is best for gymnastics. Any loose-fitting or long clothing can be a safety hazard, so think leggings, tights, leotards and fitted top options.

Here are some super affordable options you might want to consider:

Target
- They stock great (and cheap!) leotards and long-sleeve crossover
K-mart
- Similar to Target, the leotard and crossover are great options!
Bonds
- Leggings in fun prints can jazz up an otherwise black get up
Big W
- The long-sleeve leotard is a great option for cooler days
Cotton On
- Great for bike shorts and fitted training options

What to Avoid

Stockings (unless slip proof)
Jewellery
Dresses

What to Pack

Le Ray Gymnastics provides classes with equipment (such as balls, hoops, ropes and...Read More

The Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Series Part 5: Danielle Le Ray

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 00:47:43 -0700

Welcome to the final instalment of our Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic video series. This interview features 2000 Sydney Olympian Danielle Le Ray.

Dani, is still, to this day, Australia's highest ranked rhythmic gymnastics Olympian.

An Olympic Dream with Goals to Match

No amount of broken arms, set-backs or metaphoric mountains to climb could stop Dani from realising the Olympic dreams she first uttered at just 9-years-old.

So how did the far-out dreams of a young girl become reality, if the road as we know it, is filled with bumps, turns, corners and hills?

With over 30 years in the sport and as the coach of one of only two Australian Commonwealth Games champions in history, Dani drops a whole lot of knowledge in this video for aspiring gymnasts and their parents.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How Dani started gymnastics and when the Olympics became the goal
What's the one thing that all 5 Olympians have in common?
What makes a champion in Dani's eyes?
How to overcome adversity (ahem...Covid-19!) and maintain motivation
A parent's role in the world of RG
How to achieve your own success in the sport

If you live the Rhythmic Life subscribe below to never miss a post

The Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Series Part 4: Penelope Blackmore

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 17:47:09 -0700

Welcome to the fourth of our five-part Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic video series. This interview features 2004 Athens Olympian Penelope Blackmore.

Dream First, Sport Later.

Have you ever felt like you were 10 steps behind everyone else? Do your goals feel like far away dreams?

Well then, here's Penny the "late bloomer", our fourth Olympian. Having started in artistic gymnastics, and showing no tangible aptitude for rhythmic gymnastics, she became the unlikely hero in her own Olympic story.

Penny has always been in awe of the insurmountable epic-ness of the Olympic Games, and found a sport to fill the blanks between her and her dream.

If you have Olympic-sized goals of your own and feel as distant to them as ever, learn how Penny found just "a kernel of self-belief" was all she really needed to accomplish her wildest aspirations.

In this interview, you'll get to peak into the experiences of the enigmatic Penelope Blackmore. You'll get an insight into:

Penny's journey from artistic gymnastics (her first love) to rhythmic gymnastics
How Penny felt a million miles behind her competitors and how she overcame her thoughts
The importance of having a strong support network
How being different, being creative and a little stubborn is so much more than just okay
How gymnastics has helped her in her professional career (HINT: without a degree!)

If you live the Rhythmic Life subscribe below to never miss a post

The Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Series Part 3: Janine Murray

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 21:47:23 -0700

Welcome to the third of our five-part Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic video series. This interview features 2012 London Olympian Janine Murray.

Goals and Mistakes, an Olympian's Rhythmic Lessons

Do you fear mistakes? Do you experience extreme nerves before competing?

Olympian Janine Murray experienced the very same until some much-needed advice from 3-time Olympic high jumper Christine Stanton and dual rhythmic gymnastics Olympian Olena Vitrychenko.

Janine is a go-getting goal-setter who only ticked one small goal at a time until she found herself on the Olympic stage.

Learn how Janine used this advice to transform her fears and nerves into positive energy to handle the biggest global sporting stage.

Watch this interview to learn:

The one piece of advice that helped Janine harness her nerves to compete at the Olympics
How she created a mindset to no longer fearing mistakes and instead
How Janine started her rhythmic gymnastics journey
About Janine's Commonwealth Games experience, and why she decided to retire (then come back)

If you live the Rhythmic Life subscribe below to never miss a post

The Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Series Part 2: Naazmi Johnston

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 21:25:04 -0700

Welcome to the second of our four-part Olympic video interview series. Today, we have 2008 Beijing Olympian and 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion Naazmi Johnston.

Sometimes you need to take a step back to run forwards

Naazmi Johnston is the Australian rhythmic gymnastics community’s silent over-achiever. She not only competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but returned to win the overall 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games title. Naazmi has been the only Australian rhythmic gymnastics Commonwealth Games champion since Kasumi Takahashi won gold in 1994.

This interview is for all the beautiful gymnasts working hard in the Levels program every day to achieve their goals, however big or small.

In this interview you'll hear:

How Naaz started rhythmic gymnastics
Why she went back to the Levels Program before she returned for her Senior debut
What Naaz thinks about the Levels Program and how she found herself on the Olympic stage
Her approach on how she was kept her motivation after the Olympics to come back even stronger than before to take the Commonwealth Games title

If you live the Rhythmic Life subscribe below to never miss a post

The Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Series Part 1: Danielle Prince

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:35:35 -0700

Welcome to the first of our four-part Olympic video interview series. We'll be covering each Australian rhythmic gymnastics Olympian between 2000-2016. To kick us off we're starting with the amazing Danielle Prince.

From humble beginnings to Rhythmic Gymnastics Queen

Danielle Prince is the Australian rhythmic gymnastics Queen, having participated in:

(A whopping!) 7 World Championships
3 Commonwealth Games
An Olympic Games

The 5-time National Champion competed at the most recent 2016 Rio Olympics, and returned for another run at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

For many, Danni is the glittering gold statue of every rhythmic gymnast’s dreams; an Olympian, a champion. Her work ethic and commitment to the pursuit of her dreams has been unparalleled and as a competitor she was revered.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

As you will hear from Danni's own experience, even the most dominant athletes still have their moments of self-doubt and setbacks.

It’s Danni's approach to how she dealt with these pressures and continued to charge towards her goals that truly set her apart from competitors.

Danni tells us her Rhythmic Gymnastics story, from humble beginnings to dazzling podium finishes, and what she’s learnt along the way.

What you will learn from this interview

This is a must-watch for anyone working towards their own goals in Rhythmic Gymnastics. We cover:

How Danni started out in Rhythmic Gymnastics (spoiler alert: it certainly wasn't at the top - she came 25th of 26th at her first competition!)
Danni's approach to training. Including her favourite motivational quote & book
A behind-the-scenes look at her Olympic Games experience
Danni's advice for anyone else who dreams of...Read More