Program Feature: Inspire and Be Inspiring with Paula Lord

Contributed by: Carrie Spender

At the heart and soul of The Show Team at DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics is a leader with a vision.

Paula Lord, is the proud owner of BODY by GymRoots, and is a Master Trainer and Neuro Plastic Movement Specialist with a long list of titles and accomplishments including Master of Sport for Rhythmic Gymnastics. Paula had designed BODY by GymRoots to be a studio for rehabilitation and performance training for all athletes. Her main goal is to educate anyone who will listen about the benefits of maintaining a healthy functioning body in the pursuit of a happy, active life without pain

Her passion for the sport of gymnastics is evident in her work as Director of DeVeau’s Show Team. The Show Team is a unified group of athletes with special needs and their typical peers who are challenged each day to inspire and be inspiring. Each must help and be helped, regardless of their diagnosis, physical or cognitive ability level. This performance team trains together 1-5 hours per week with the goal of working to the edge of their ability and to always be improving.  

Sounds like a great life’s philosophy for All!

Especially for athletes like Abby (Down Syndrome) who came to the Show Team very weak in her arms and unable to support weight. Now she can do bear walks, modified cartwheels and is performing ribbon routines with a strong grip and circular motions.

And, Hannah (Autism) was able to join in the group and work independently (without mother or caretaker) within one week of starting the program. The Show Team is the first activity she has been able to do independently.

The impact of The Show Team is seen community-wide at DeVeau’s. Team members are aware of each other’s personal goals and find motivation from each others achievements. Paula describes the eruption of cheers from teammates when they see a peer who has never been strong enough to “jump” actually leave the floor on their own power which brings joy to everyone’s hearts.

The Show Team is structured within a three-part program for participants:

Body Preparation:

Paula uses the practices of her book, Perfect 10 Posture, to clear out and strengthen basic skeletal function. Once the body is functioning in a manner that is safe for progression, athletes begin adding the basics of gymnastics including ALL disciplines - artistic, tumbling, rhythmic, acrobatic and dance. The athletes work to define their movement vocabulary and each year Paula identifies two or three movements , like figure-8 motions that help with motor planning, increasing attention ability, and special awareness.

“We all work on the same movements – some of us just have to work harder or modify based on how our bodies function at the time.”

Gymnastics for ALL:

The Show Team prepares a 10 minute routine each year, choreographed around a theme. This year’s theme, “Two Worlds, One Family”, used movement to describe how “things that outwardly appear very different can work together to create a thing of beauty.” Through their year round work, Paula guided her group to discover that we all have “special needs” and “typical” parts. This theme could be related to the world in general as a very healing concept.  

Over the course of a long year of hard work, Paula adds strength training, carefully selected music to match their theme, and then intricate choreography that highlights the group’s talents.   In her choreography, Paula emphasizes “joyful movements” that shows off better than the most well-rehearsed and synchronized routines. This year, at the Gymnastics for All Nationals in Cincinnati, The Show Team received the Silver Level Award!

HUGS and XCEL Competition

For athletes who wish to choose more training time and participate in competitions, Paula prepares athletes...one small step at a time. The HUGS and Rhythmic XCEL programs give Paula’s athletes the chance to have a competitive experience in a more recreational environment.  

“For most of these kids it is a really big deal to learn, remember, then perform alone to music in front of an audience. And that goes for both the kids with special needs and the typical kids!”

The Fringe Benefits

Paula has observed some of the wonderful dynamics that have developed with The Show Team. She has noticed that the kids have become true friends, bonding with each other even outside the gym. Typical kids truly see their teammates as friends and not as people who only need their help. This camaraderie has expanded to the parents who have become friends and supporters of each other. Parents appreciate the independence kids are learning through their show team experience.

“There is a reality that some of our athletes with special needs will never truly grow up and will need care at some level for the rest of their lives. I believe this and other realities are very important for anyone wishing to begin work with special needs as a context from which to operate.”

Inspire and be inspired.  Paula was recognized in 2006, receiving the Dave Moskovitz award for exemplifying the spirit of Gymnastics for ALL. Paula certainly “walks the walk” in all that she does.  

Check out these links to find out more about BODY by GymRoots and Gymnastics for ALL.