Horizontal Bar Practice: Aira’s Morning Challenge

Early Arrival

Aira arrived at school earlier than usual, the cool morning air brushing against her cheeks as she walked toward the open courtyard behind the school building. The sound of leaves rustling above her blended with the faint hum of students arriving on campus.

Today was her scheduled practice for the horizontal bar, something she had been looking forward to all week. Gymnastics was new to her, and although she was still learning the basics, she always felt a sense of excitement every time she approached the equipment.

Forgotten PE Uniform

As she reached the horizontal bar, she froze. She had been so rushed that she forgot her PE uniform. Instead of her comfortable navy training shorts and T-shirt, she was wearing her regular school uniform: a white blouse tucked neatly into a short dark blue skirt. She let out a quiet sigh, realizing her mistake too late.

Her coach, Mr. Takeda, approached from the storage room beside the building. He was a tall man with a calm expression that rarely changed.

"You arrived early. That is good," he said with an encouraging tone. Then he noticed her skirt. "Did you forget your PE uniform?"

Aira lowered her head. "Yes, Coach. I was in a hurry this morning. I did not realize until I was already halfway to school."

Takeda paused to think. "It is alright. We will still practice," he replied. "But you must be extra careful today. A skirt is not ideal for gymnastics, especially on the horizontal bar. The movement will make it lift. If it becomes too risky, we will stop the practice. Understood?"

"Yes, Coach," Aira said with a nervous smile.

Warm-Ups and Basics

They began with warm-ups. Aira followed his instructions, jogging in place, stretching her legs, and loosening her shoulders. The morning sun slowly grew brighter, casting long shadows on the concrete.

After warm-ups, Takeda sprinkled chalk onto her hands and examined the horizontal bar.

"Today we will review the basics," he said. "Mounting the bar, hanging form, rolling forward, and maintaining grip strength. Do not rush anything. Concentrate on your center of gravity. Control is more important than speed."

Aira nodded and approached the bar. She jumped lightly and grabbed it with both hands. Her blouse shifted slightly, and her skirt brushed upward against the breeze. She tightened her legs together instinctively.

"If at any moment you feel unsteady, stop and drop down. Safety first," Takeda reminded her.

"Yes, Coach," she replied.

Overcoming Embarrassment

She began with a simple forward roll. The skirt lifted slightly from momentum, and her cheeks flushed. She managed one clean rotation and landed back into a hanging position, but the embarrassment lingered.

This happened again during swings. Each rotation made the skirt unpredictable, but she refused to stop.

"Your form is improving, Aira. But focus on the timing of your swing," Takeda advised.

"I know. It is just hard to ignore," she admitted.

Grip and Technique Practice

Takeda guided her to a lower practice bar to work on grip drills. He demonstrated proper finger wrapping and wrist engagement. Aira repeated the exercises slowly, steadily improving her grip.

Even though the skirt remained a distraction, Aira’s determination grew. She was learning to prioritize focus and control over embarrassment.

Full Routine Attempt

After more than an hour of practice, Aira returned to the main bar. She attempted a forward roll followed by a controlled swing into a small backward rotation. Her timing improved, and her body felt more coordinated.

"Good. Keep your shoulders aligned. Do not rush the dismount," Takeda encouraged.

Aira landed on the mat with both feet firmly, lifting her arms in a finishing pose despite feeling slightly silly.

"You handled that well. Very well," Takeda said.

"Thank you. I felt more confident this time," she smiled.

Reflection and Determination

Despite the skirt causing minor difficulties, Aira felt proud. She had persevered through discomfort and improved her skills.

"Can we practice again tomorrow?" she asked.

"Of course," Takeda replied. "But remember your uniform."

"I will," she said firmly.

As she walked into the hallway, Aira whispered to herself: "Next time, I will do even better." And she meant it.

✨ Tips for Readers

Inspired by Aira’s determination? Practice something new today, even if it feels challenging. Share your progress or thoughts in the comments below!