Inspired by watching stunt performance at circuses,Pawanpreet bravely went on exercising those moves all her life. She was 3 years old when she found her love for gymnastics, the age when most of us weren’t even aware of walking properly! Today she successfully teaches gymnastics to many kids. Her sportswoman spirit is a heavy dosage of motivation for each one aspiring to pursue sports as a career and as well as a hobby. A coach who never backs down when it comes to train the 1-year old. Reading her interview will make one take a demo in her gymnastic institute. That’s how passionately valor she is when it comes to spread the joy of exercising.

We are proud to have Pawanpreet as the mentor in designing imd1 Gymnastics Courses. Her story will surely motivate the young generation to give up the gadgets and exercise!

We are really keen to know, how did your journey begin?What was that moment when you discovered that you want to become a Gymnast?

I was very young, around 3-year old, when I used to get inspired by the circus people doing exciting moves and as a child I thought even I should do moves like these. It sounds funny but yes, my journey in gymnastics started through getting inspiration from the circuses. I convinced my parents that I wanted to pursue gymnastics and at that time this sport wasn’t popular. My parents denied because there wasn’t any institute for me to learn so I started practicing in the garden. Later, gymnastics was first introduced in a government school in Jalandhar and once I came to know about it, I urged my parents to shift to a government school from a convent school to which they refused. But somehow, I made up my mind that I must pursue gymnastics and that’s how it all started.

Know me Beyond Gymnastics

What were the hardships/hurdles you’ve encountered and how did you overcome them in your journey?

My mother being a working professional did not allow me to pursue gymnastics as a career in the beginning. On the other hand, my father was very enthusiastic for me to learn new things. My first hurdle was to get into a government school. Secondly, I was injured and fractured my right arm so I joined athletics because I thought if I wouldn’t be able to use my arms then I could do athletics with legs. I used to do elements like jumps, long jumps, etc. When I felt I am missing gymnastics after 2 years I made a comeback in it.

Who has been your influencer in this journey & how?

I was very keen about gymnastics since the beginning as it was clear in my mind that I want to be a sportsperson. One of my aunts was a swimmer and another aunt was a volleyball player. My mother also used to play hockey. After joining gymnastics, my bua (dad’s cousin sister) inspired me to take up gymnastics as a career.

Tell us something about your Coach…

I have two coaches in my life who are mentoring me till date. First one is Satinder Pal Kaur, my training started with her during my school days. She was my coach whereas the other one is Rituraj Kapoor. He was my university coach and always stood for us no matter whatever the situation was. He is more than a coach to me just like a fatherlike figure.

Success is incomplete without its share of setbacks. What advice would you give to others about handling them?

Failure and injuries are a part of life. If you’re a sportsperson then injuries will surely happen to you. Even I failed when I was injured and got fractured. But I overcame it because I feel gymnastics is in my veins and I cannot leave doing it. My coach motivated me a lot to come back in gymnastics. Always said “Gymnastics is meant for you” and I found myself happy doing gymnastics.

Do you think Gymnastics and its learnings can be helpful in life even if one does not want to consider it as a career?

Gymnastics always focuses on the physical development. It is not only a sport, but it is also a rehab. In foreign countries, gymnastics is a compulsory activity in every school for children from age of 1 year because it nurtures the health of the child.

What are the pre-coaching essentials e.g. Right age, mindset or any other?

According to me the right age would be 1 year old because even I am catering to children of that age. From 1 to 5 years is a neuroplasticity age, whatever we feed the child s/he perfectly grabs it. S/he is like a mud which could be molded however you want to. For the elderly age groups, they need to put more focus on efforts to learn but eventually everyone can make themselves flexible.

How has technology transformed the world of Gymnastics?

Today we have videos and projectors through which we can show children how the exercises are being done. I record videos on my own and the children to compare their mistakes and teach them the correct method. That is how technology has helped me. Earlier technology was not that viable like how it is today. Now due to the advancements in technology we can figure out the amount of workout a child has to do so that s/he doesn’t overdo any exercise. Once a muscle is overused then its growth stops. Today there is so much research & development taken place in terms of growth in children that we totally focus on to what extent a child must do the exercise and due to this their height is not affected, which is a myth amongst majority parents.

What according to you is scope of Gymnastics in India?

Right now, gymnastics is a well-established sport. Parents need to clear their mindset regarding the injuries because nowadays there are lots of precautions taken for children to perform exercises. It is based on a teamwork of both parents and children when they come together and jointly support each other’s decision. This will make sure to grow the sport.

If you were to bring one big change in the way people get trained in Gymnastics, what would that be?

I would change the mindset of people who fear performing gymnastics. Secondly, they should realize the right age is 1 year old because the younger a child starts the better will be the results.

What do you suggest for better accessibility of Gymnastics’ training in remote parts of India?

Gymnastics has become a very common sport in almost all parts of India. But remote areas where children are not even getting basic education, the government should organize gymnastics training camps for children residing in such areas. If the Gymnasts representing India gets a good high positioned job, then they will also feel good about representing their country and getting something good in return from the government.

Your piece of advice to parents who are skeptical about their children taking up a career in any co-curricular activities?

Firstly, we must take gymnastics as a sport and not as any activity. Secondly, the parents should understand that gymnastics is good for the child physical and mental growth, even if s/he do not aspire to become a sportsperson. As I have already mentioned that gymnastics improves eyesight, flatfoot developing strength, etc. also mental development, which is very important. Please be open to put your child in any sports activity, please keep them in a gadget free world.

What is your success mantra?

Keep doing whatever you’re doing consistently

Which was “that” moment when you considered yourself as “I Am The 1”?

I have always been a gymnast all my life. Now I’m happy to serve as a gymnast all my life and that is why I feel I Am The 1. I was also an Auditory Verbal Therapist and Child Birth Counsellor, but I quit these things and I am pursuing gymnastics full time because I want to do something for this sport.

Any other thoughts you want to share?

Keep listening to your mind, body and heart.