When Sophia Porter was a little girl, she dreamed of opening a gymnastics studio and becoming a firefighter when she grew up.
Porter accomplished both.
The owner of Little Stars Gymnastics in Middleburg Heights is a retired firefighter of 21 years, having risen to the lieutenant rank, and longtime owner of her recreational gymnastics studio, which serves children ages 18 months to 10 years. (She also teaches adult fitness.)
Aside from being a community warrior, Porter is a nurturing soul who says the most gratifying aspect of her business is to watch kids reach goals they thought might be impossible to accomplish. One of her young clients who is blind wanted to learn how to do a cartwheel. Now, she walks the balance beam and performs cartwheels and handstands.
“Gymnastics builds character for anything you do in life,” Porter says, noting that the sport engages both sides of the brain. “It develops mental toughness and the strength to succeed.”
It also teaches kids to set goals, much like Porter did.
Here, she offers some accessible ways for children to work up to gymnastics moves — along with a few get-fit ideas for adults.
Doggy with a broken leg: Start in a standing position, then place both hands comfortably on the ground in front of you. (The body makes an arch shape.) Now, lift one leg and keep it in the air while hopping three times on the opposite foot.
Puppy and snake: Begin by making a snake by lying on your stomach, then scrunch up into a puppy position (on hands and knees). Reverse the move for a greater challenge, Porter suggests.
A quick total-body circuit: Porter suggests sit-ups, pushups, planks, burpees and walking lunges — “these are all activities you can do at home,” she points out.
6876 Pearl Road, Middleburg Heights, 216-410-7637, littlestarsgymnastics.com
