Every Monday afternoon at Burton Street Elementary, the front gymnasium is transformed into a gymnastics studio. Chuck Parry and his team of certified instructors teach first through fourth grade boys and girls the fundamentals of gymnastics.

“There two ways to look at gymnastics, as a sport and as an activity” Parry said. “Today we are focusing more on gymnastics as an activity than a sport. We try to stress the importance of doing your best, rather than being the best”

Parry has been conducting educational gymnastic programs for the past 38 years and has been instructing students in Cazenovia for the past 10 years. The class has been held at Burton Street since the beginning of the school year, but seems even more beneficial during the winter months; after being cooped indoors all day, the students use their gymnastics lessons to burn some energy.

Parry and his wife Beiana make weekly trips to area schools, and his Gymnastics and Creative Activity Center has grown to two locations, Baldwinsville and Fairmount.

As well as giving the children a creative outlet, the program introduces students to specialized equipment like the balance beam and horizontal bars. The atmosphere of the lessons is always more recreational than competitive. While Coach Parry once trained professional athletes, this program is more about having fun while getting exercise.

Parry has developed advancements in children’s gymnastic equipment throughout his career, and is the owner of numerous patents. He recognized the trouble his most talented pupils were having with full sized devices, and began creating them on a smaller scale. Today his studios are filled with professional equipment for both young and old gymnasts.

At their after-school sessions, Parry and his wife take a relaxed approach with the children instead of strict instruction. Some students receive advice on improving their form, but all are given positive reinforcement.

Several times a year the Parrys offer “Fun Meets” at their practice centers, allowing young athletes to showcase their vaulting and tumbling techniques. While no awards are given and no students are required to perform, the showcase offers a constructive goal for future gymnasts.

Coach Parry strongly believes in the physical and mental benefits of gymnastics. The discipline and focus that the sport requires helps to build a healthy foundation for life, and teaches students respect.

“Gymnastics is a great way to refine your movements. In all other sports and activities there is a need for both power and control. Start with gymnastics, and use that as a base for all other physical movement” Parry said.

While some of the roughest players in football, basketball and baseball have voluntarily straddled a pommel horse and practiced floor exercises, it seems a stigma is still attached to gymnastics for younger boys. Currently the gymnastics class at Burton Street Elementary consists of about 20 girls and two boys.

The attendance ratio fluctuates from month to month, depending on what other extracurricular activities are offered that season. Coach Parry always welcomes newcomers and returning students, excited to educate children about gymnastics. The classes will be offered every Monday afternoon until the end of the school year.