GLOVERSVILLE - "Be confident and proud."
That message is what students at Kids in Motion Gymnastics hear from owner Holly Moore during classes at a gym dedicated to youngsters in the city's downtown.
Soon, those themes and lessons will continue in an expanded space on Cayadutta Street. The gym is currently located at 24 Cayadutta St. It will expand nearby, adding 22 1/2 Cayadutta St. to its facilities.
Article Photos
The duo behind Kids in Motion, Lynsey Moore, left, and her mother, Holly Moore, will offer dance and gymnastics classes at an expanded downtown Gloversville location.
The Leader-Herald/Lisa D. Connell
Holly Moore's daughter Lynsey will offer dance classes.
Both women have training and experience in teaching and dance athletics. Holly Moore founded Kids in Motion 16 years ago. Dance classes are an increasing interest among some students.
The city Planning Board recently approved Kids in Motion's application, allowing the business to expand.
Both its locations are part of realty firm Two Great Guys' approved mixed-use development along South Main Street, county planning board records show.
Moore explained her business plan to city planning board members at its July 11 meeting. She leases the Cayadutta Street facilities, which are in adjacent buildings.
"It's time to move on to a bigger place, so we can fit everything in," said Holly.
Inside the red brick building, thick blue floor mats are visible.
The larger space will be used for gymnastics, the smaller area for the dance studio. About 120 students attend classes from September to May. Shorter camp sessions in the summer also attract students.
The classes teach more than physical skills.
"To be strong young women who've had some discipline, make good decisions and make good choices," are themes that the Moores want their students to take away with them from gymnastics or dance classes.
Most girls - and it is mostly girls who attend classes, though classes are open to boys as well - want to have fun, learn skills and "do what the big girls do," they said.
With the women's gymnastics program a highlight of the ongoing Summer Olympics in London, Holly Moore knows what her students want to do: flip, swing on the parallel bars, or fly effortlessly through the air. They don't learn that right away, though, for several reasons.
"We're big on learning the basics and foundation skills before moving on to complex turns, twists and jumps," she said. "We don't want kids to learn bad habits."
Holly Moore's background includes gymnastics training, cheerleading and coaching. She opened a gym when Lynsey was 3 years old. She continues to learn new gymnastics techniques, keeping up with safety training.
Lynsey also is a choreographer, with commercial work experience. Ribbons she has won in competitions hang on a wall in the studio.
Sharing her dancing experience is what Lynsey enjoys about the classes she leads.
"Teaching them what I like to do, watching them improve," she said.
For those interested in signing up for classes, a registration night is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at the gym.
For more information, email kimgyminc@gmail.com or call 725-0050.
Lisa D. Connell covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com.