Kindergarten students from Hancock Elementary visited Hamline University on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

They learned basic gymnastic fundamentals at various stations set up by gymnastics coach Doug Byrnes.

Coaches from Spirit Gymnastics, a program run by Byrnes that teaches gymnastics, participated to create a fun and safe environment for the students of Hancock.

“[They’re] meaningful activities,” Byrnes said, addressing the ones that were set up during the visit.

The stations included balance beams, ramps, trampolines, and other equipment, so the kids could perform somersaults or other moves the volunteers taught them.

“They’re having fun and at the same time learning gymnastics,” Byrnes said. “It creates learning opportunities.”

He explained that learning gymnastics is sort of like learning another language. He elaborated by saying learning the functions of how your body works is like a physical language.

“If you learn them and apply them at the right time, you can express yourself effectively,” he said.

Byrnes added that his activities during Hancock Elementary’s visit were similar to lessons that he runs with his younger groups in Spirit Gymnastics.

Two members of Hamline’s swimming and diving team have participated in Spirit Gymnastics: junior diver and sprinter Ingrid Haugan and first-year diver Lucia Palmer, who as a part of Spirit Gymnastics since she was a toddler.

“As a littler girl, I was always excited to go to Spirit Gymnastics,” Palmer said.

Byrnes said that with these programs and activities, one of his goals is for both instructors and kids to build good relationships. Palmer confirmed that she and Byrnes connected and still remember one another.

Byrnes mentioned that the challenge of keeping these events going arises the same question every year.

“How do we get better with the stuff we do?” he asked.

That’s a challenge that he looks forward to answering each time.

As for his events with Hancock Elementary, he mentioned that he is planning on another visit on Thursday, Dec. 6. Linda Woessner, an administrator from Hancock, asked if it was possible to continue these sessions on a monthly basis.

“Anything is a possibility,” Byrnes said. “[The Hancock students were] a joy to work with.”