PLEASE CALL PYRAMID AT 927-1240 TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD
Summer classes are in full swing and spaces still remain in many classes. The Pyramid program runs on a continuous basis allowing students to start at any time. No need to wait for the beginning of the month or for a new session to begin.
Trial classes are available at a cost of $14.00 for a 45 minute class and $16.00 for a one hour class. Call to schedule your trial class today and ask about which classes are appropriate for your child. E-Mail address if you prefer: ThePyramidGym@aol.com.
Registration can be completed by phone using either MasterCard or Visa.
8.8.08
It's been almost a year since the spectacular Beijing Olympic Games and at Pyramid we still have that Olympic spirit. In recognition of American medal winners Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and Jonathan Horton, Pyramid is pleased to offer free Annual Memberships to any new students registering on or before June 24, 2009. This represents a savings of $48.00. In order to qualify, a parent only needs to request the "08.08.08 OLYMPIC SPECIAL" when registering and paying for their child's first four classes. Offer open to first time students/ families only.
.....NEWS FLASH....Shawn Johnson wins Dancing With the Stars!........NEWS FLASH... Shawn Johnson
-----------------------> Read more about your favorite Olympians on the ...etc page.
Shawn Johnson wins 'Dancing With the Stars'
In this Tuesday May, 19, 2009 photo released by ABC, Shawn Johnson and her professional partner, Mark Ballas, hold the trophy during Dancing with the Stars finale show in Los Angeles. The 17-year-old gymnast was named "Dancing With the Stars" champion Tuesday during the season finale of the hit ABC show, the third Olympian in eight seasons to win. (AP Photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal) **NO SALES ** (The Associated Press)
In this Tuesday May, 19, 2009 photo released by ABC, Shawn Johnson holds her trophy during Dancing with the Stars finale show in Los Angeles. The 17-year-old gymnast was named "Dancing With the Stars" champion Tuesday during the season finale of the hit ABC show, the third Olympian in eight seasons to win. (AP Photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal) **NO SALES ** (The Associated Press)
In this Tuesday May, 19, 2009 photo released by ABC, Shawn Johnson and her professional partner, Mark Ballas, hold their trophies during Dancing with the Stars finale show in Los Angeles. The 17-year-old gymnast was named "Dancing With the Stars" champion Tuesday during the season finale of the hit ABC show, the third Olympian in eight seasons to win. (AP Photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal) **NO SALES ** (The Associated Press)
Shawn Johnson 'On Cloud Nine' over Winning Athletic Award
By Monica Rizzo
Shawn Johnson with Sullivan Award --the most prestigious award in amateur sports.
Shawn JohnsonPhoto by: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty
Shawn Johnson received the biggest honor of her athletic career when she became the first female gymnast to receive the James E. Sullivan Award on Wednesday night in New York.
"It's an honor that means the world to me," the bubbly Johnson tells PEOPLE of receiving the prestigious award given to the country's top amateur athlete. Presented annually by the Amateur Athletic Union, the award is based on athletic accomplishments, leadership, character and sportsmanship.
The 17-year-old Beijing Olympic gold medalist, who is currently competing on Dancing with the Stars in Los Angeles, tells PEOPLE, "I flew to New York for the ceremony directly from Tuesday's night's show and haven't slept since but it's the greatest thing that I've ever pulled an all-nighter for."
Johnson beat out her Olympic teammate Nastia Liukin, North Carolina basketball player Tyler Hansbrough, Stanford volleyball player Cynthia Barboza and the men's 4x100 freestyle relay Olympic swim team for the award.
"I'm on cloud nine," she says. "This, on top of the Olympics and Dancing with the Stars, is just another incredible thing that's happened for me in the last year that's made this the best year ever and I couldn't be more grateful.”
Known as the "Oscar" of sports awards and older than The Heisman, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.
Shawn Johnson named to Dancing With the Stars' Season 8 lineup
BY VERNE GAY
11:54 PM EST, February 8, 2009
Shawn Johnson, Olympian (U.S. Presswire)
Joining Dancing With the Stars Season 8 lineup is Shawn Johnson , the 2008 Olympic women's balance beam gold medalist with the big sunny smile who got almost (but not quite) as much attention as Michael Phelps in the recent Olympics.
The 17-year-old gymnast will be the youngest contestant yet on the hit reality show that pairs celebrities with professional dancers.
Johnson is the reigning world champion in the all-around and floor exercise. She won four medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing: gold on the balance beam and silvers in the team competition, in the all-around and floor exercise.
'Dancing with the Stars' Partner Pics Revealed
Olympic balance beam champion Shawn Johnson says she and her partner plan to dance off with the trophy on this season's "Dancing With the Stars." "We work great together and we're both in it to win it," she said.
Mark Ballas and Shawn Johnson leave the studio after their first practice in Los Angeles.
The world gymnastics champion is in Los Angeles, training daily with professional dancer Mark Ballas. The eighth season of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" begins March 9.
"Our first dance is so smooth and elegant, and I'm used to really sharp powerful moves so it's a little hard," the 17-year-old Johnson said of their first dance, the Viennese Waltz. "Ballroom dancing and gymnastics are completely different sports."
Ballas won the show's sixth season with partner Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic champion in figure skating.
Show co-host Samantha Harris picked Johnson as the early favorite to win this season.
"As we saw with Kristi, that Olympian mentality translates very well to the competitive sport of ballroom dance. I'm sure Shawn will be a front-runner, but I'm sure the judges will also be very hard on her right out of the gate," Harris told the Associated Press.
Ballas, the shorter male professional on the show, was the natural pick to pair with Johnson, who nevertheless will be dancing in high heels.
"He actually had to take me up to the higher heels," Johnson said. "It's only three [inches], so it's not too bad. I am used to being barefoot [in gymnastics], so it is awkward."
Shawn is training five hours a day for Dancing with the Stars. Question: Will Shawn win Dancing with the Stars?
Answer: Yes, she will win.
She has considerable dancing skills and has more experience then anyone in this field. To top it off, she’s a gymnast and will have no problem doing flips and other acrobatic feats that other contestants won’t be able to match.
She’s America’s sweetheart and should be able to take home the title of champion. No one else is as qualified or as loved as this young gymnast that helped bring home a silver medal for Team USA
Hear what she has to say as she prepares. ---------->
Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson said she is enjoying the challenge of mastering the Viennese Waltz for her "Dancing with the Stars" debut next week.
Shawn Johnson (U.S.) is one of 13 celebrity contestants on the eighth season of "Dancing with the Stars."
"Everything is tricky and, so far, nothing has been easy," she told IG this week.
Johnson said she and her partner on the show, professional dancer Mark Ballas, are eager to compete against 12 other celebrity couples on the season-eight premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC, March 9 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
"There's nothing easy about it," said the 17-year-old Johnson of the waltz. "It's all been new and challenging to me, from the foot placements to the body posture, to dancing with a partner and dancing in heels."
Known for her powerful, quick style of gymnastics, Johnson said she is gradually easing into a new style of movement — with Ballas' support.
"It's been extremely hard, but Mark has been very patient and encouraging in teaching me how to move slow, elegant and smooth," said Johnson, who at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing won the gold medal on balance beam and silver medals with the U.S. team, in the all-around and on floor exercise.
Ballas' best advice, Johnson said, is "to let all of my gymnastics habits go and have confidence in learning a new way to move."
Johnson said she and Ballas have been able to maintain their focus and teamwork during their training which includes five hours of daily rehearsals, seven days per week.
"Mark's a professional, so both of us are used to working really hard, but we both like to have fun also," she said.
Johnson predicts she will have no problems with the physical endurance required for the duration of the show, which runs through May.
"Are you kidding?" Johnson joked. "I have 14 years of gymnastics under my belt!"
Although Johnson is accustomed to being scrutinized in her specialty of gymnastics, she said she welcomes feedback from the "Dancing with the Stars" judging panel, which includes dance experts Carrie-Anne Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli. Johnson also wants the voting television audience to be entertained by her performances.
"I'm eager for constructive criticism, and any comments the judges have will be taken to heart," Johnson told IG. "As for the general public, I plan on just being myself, having fun and hoping they enjoy my performance."
Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and partner
Mark Ballas tied for the second-highest judges' total
of the night on their "Dancing with the Stars" debut,
I can’t believe i got through it, but i did and it was so much fun. I think this is the hardest thing i’ve ever done. I hope i’ll be a decent dancer when this is all over with. Mark is the greatest partner anyone could ever have. He’s so much fun and a really good teacher. After each show we go through the “media line” and do all of the interviews. Tuesday night was extra crazy cause Idol was going on at the same time as Dancing and they’re just across the hall from us. I’ve gotten to meet Paula and Randy, they are so both so nice. I still can’t believe i’m doing this. I’m waiting for someone to wake me up haha. This week we start the real deal, having to learn our dance and be ready in just 3 days. Since we had 3 weeks to get ready for our first 2 dances, this is going to be my biggest challenge yet. Wish me luck everyone. I hope i can do it. Thanks for all of the votes, you all are the greatest. Love you guys. Peace SJ
Johnson Preps Paso Doble, Quickstep for Monday's 'Dancing'
Rehearsing the paso doble and quickstep for ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Monday, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson told IG she is taking her hectic agenda of rehearsals, travel and social engagements in calm stride.
Johnson and partner Mark Ballas are among the five remaining couples in the competition, but Johnson insists they are not disadvantaged by the fact that they have one fewer day each week to rehearse. Because the 17-year-old Johnson is a minor, she is not permitted to rehearse seven days per week as can the other couples.
"I take Wednesdays off, and I can't practice more than six hours a day," said Johnson, the 2007 world all-around champion and 2008 Olympic balance beam gold medalist. "Most people practice every day. But I think it also helps when we're traveling. I'm used to having that day off, so we work really hard on the days I'm there."
Johnson said all of the contestants have commitments such as travel, touring and other public appearances.
"I don't think it's a disadvantage," Johnson said. "Everybody has little things that hinder their practices, live traveling or going on tour. I can't complain, because we're still working hard on the days that we get to practice."
Johnson noted that the restriction on her rehearsal time, and her travels to New York and her home state of Iowa to accept awards, did not impact her performances of a cha cha solo and 1960s-themed group number on the April 20 show. Johnson and Ballas earned a perfect score of 10 from one judge, and finished with the second-highest total of the evening.
Dancing with the Stars cutie Shawn Johnson show off her ruffles as she arrives at the premiere of Star Trek held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday evening (April 30).
The 17-year-old Olympian tweeted during the event, saying, “At the star trek premiere just finished the red carpet now seated waiting for it to start and OH YEAH sitting next to Samuel L Jackson!!!”
Shawn continued, “Movie just finished n was AMAZING!!! Actually got to meet Chris Pine too… awesome premiere!!! Early morning 2morrow tho so goodnight!!”
Liukin, Johnson, Horton three of 12 semifinalists for 79th Annual AAU Sullivan Award
Karen Saladyga - USA Gymnastics - USOC March 05, 2009
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 5, 2009 - 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, 2008 Olympic balance beam gold-medalist Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, and 2008 Olympic horizontal bar silver-medalist Jonathan Horton of Houston are three of 12 amateur athletes chosen as semifinalists for the 79th Annual AAU James E. Sullivan Award.
Fans may vote online at www.usatoday.com, and voting information will be announced soon. The winner will be announced on April 15 at the New York Athletic Club.
Fans may vote online at www.usatoday.com, and voting information will be announced soon. The winner will be announced on April 15 at the New York Athletic Club.
Known as the "Oscar" of sports awards and older than The Heisman, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character. Kurt Thomas (1979) and Paul Hamm (2004) are the only gymnasts to have won this honor.
Liukin for Max Azaria =====================================================
Liukin for Max Azaria
With the credit crisis in full drive designers have to think of new ways to market their collections that will get lots of attention and hopefully sales. Recently Madonna did a very shoot for Louis Vuitton. Max Azaria has also chosen a celebrity for the ads for his Spring Summer campaign. He could have chosen a famous singer but instead the collection has used an athlete. That athlete is none other than Olympic gymnastics gold medalist, Nastia Liukin. Nastia just has a an ethereal sylph like quality and I think she perfectly captures the essence of the Max Azaria collection. The ad will run solely online.
“The spring collection was inspired by movement and modern dance so she was perfect. It was meant to be, and the magic just sort of happened.” says Azria.
Well I agree, it's refreshing seeing someone other than a stick thin model in these photoshoots. Nastia is strong, she is healthy and most importantly, she doesnt look like she is going to snap in half.
Nastia Liukin and Natalie Coughlin Named USOC Co-Athletes of the Year
Thu Jan 22, 2009 By USOC
By: Getty Images Nastia Liukin was a co-recipient of the USOC's SportsWoman of the Year award
thanks in part to her all-around title at the Beijing Olympics.
COLORADO SPRING, Colo -- Four individual athletes and one team that epitomize
excellence both on and off the field of play are being honored by the United States
Olympic Committee for their accomplishments in 2008. Swimmer Michael Phelps
has been named the USCO SportsMan of the Year, swimmer Natalie Coughlin and
gymnast Nastia Liukin have been named co-winners of the USOC Sportswoman
of the Year.
With a tie vote, Coughlin and Liukin share honors as this year’s SportsWoman of the Year. Liukin won five medals at the Olympic
Games, including a gold medal in the all-around, becoming just the third U.S. woman in history to win the Olympic all-around title. Her
medals total also included three silver for team, balance beam and uneven bars, and a bronze for floor exercise, which tied the U.S. gymnastics record of five medals at one Olympic Games set by Mary Lou Retton in 1984 and matched by Shannon Miller in 1992. Liukin was recently named the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2008 Individual Sportswoman of the Year and the United States Sports Academy Female Athlete of the Year.
“People say, ‘Why keep going?”’ Liukin said. “I love competing and enjoy the sport. That overpowers the questions of putting my title up there. I haven’t made a 100 percent commitment [to return] but I’m making the commitment to myself to get in shape and compete.”
2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, is one of 10 women nominated for the Women's Sports Foundation's 2008 Sportswoman of the Year. Fans can vote for Liukin through midnight, Sept. 2, on the Women's Sports Foundation's Web site
The winner will be presented at the Annual Salute to Women in Sports Dinner on Oct. 14 at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.
Softball player Jessica Mendoza, Women's Sports Foundation President Aimee Mullins, tennis player Billie Jean King, gymnast Nastia Liukin and actress Jill Hennessy attend the 29th annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards presented by the Women's Sports Foundation at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 14, 2008 in New York City. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Liukin named 'Sportswoman of the Year'
Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson at the Women's Sports Foundation awards Tuesday in New York
Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin has won yet another title: the 2008 Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year. Liukin, who won five Olympic medals in Beijing, was honored Tuesday in New York. She joins an exclusive list of former winners including figure skater Michelle Kwan, golfer Annika Sorenstam, track star Gail Devers and speedskater Bonnie Blair.
"Honestly, I can't believe I'm one of those on that list," Liukin told the media. "They are just phenomenal athletes. I would've never dreamed of anything like that. It's just amazing to be here."
Since her golden achievement in August in Beijing, Liukin has been busy making appearances and performing on the nationwide Tour of Gymnastics Superstars.
Liukin's hectic schedule hasn't left much time for training, but she says she does not plan to retire. Watching replays of her victory at the Olympics, as she did at the Women's Sports Foundation awards, makes her more inclined to compete again.
"Every time I watch it, even though it's only been a few months, it makes me miss competing already," said Liukin, who attended the awards with teammate Shawn Johnson, the 2008 Olympic champion on balance beam. Liukin said she is looking forward to competing at the 2009 U.S. Championships in Dallas, close to her hometown of Parker.
Liukin has won nine world championships medals, tying her with Shannon Miller for the most won by an American gymnast. She has the chance to pull ahead at the 2009 Worlds in London. "That's what my next big goal is," Liukin said of 2009.
London is also the site of the 2012 Olympic Games, but she has not yet decided if she will try to defend her Olympic all-around title. "2012 is four years away, so it's hard to say as far as what I'm doing," said Liukin, who turns 19 on Oct. 30.
General Mills Inc. announced today it will issue a special-edition commemorative package in honor of American gold medal gymnast Nastia Liukin.
Nastia won five medals in Beijing, including individual gold in the all-around, silver in the uneven bars and balance beam, and bronze in the floor exercise. She also helped the Americans score silver in the team competition.
On Monday, Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin got front-row billing at New York Fashion Week before appearing on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." On Tuesday morning, Liukin will appear on "The View." In the afternoon, she and her father, 1988 Olympic gold medalist Valery Liukin, will ring the closing bell at the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
Her Olympic teammate Alicia Sacramone also attended some shows, but Liukin sat between actress Elizabeth Banks and tennis superstar Maria Sharapova at designer Peter Som's show Monday.
"It's such an honor to be here," said Liukin, clad in gold pumps and a gold Peter Som dress. "I've never been to anything like this."
(L-R) Actress Elizabeth Banks and Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin attend the Peter Som Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Promenade, Bryant Park on September 8, 2008 in New York City.
Nastia Liukin to Ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell
ADVISORY, Sep 8, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --
What: Nastia Liukin, 2008 Olympic Individual All-Around Gold Medalist Gymnast and her father Valeri Liukin, Coach of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team will ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell
Getty Images
Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin of the United States pose together with their medals from the all-around event at the Olympic Games on Aug. 15, 2008 in Beijing, China.
Nastia Liukinn And Shawn Johnson New Faces Of Cover Girl
Gold medal gymnasts Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin have more than just their gold medals to brag about now. The two girls have been named the new faces of Cover Girl for this Fall.
They actually signed a deal with CG before the Olympics started, and Shawn and Nastia wore custom-made makeup during their events. This is very different direction for Cover Girl to go.
Not only are the girls much younger than their previous spokesmodels, but they're athletes! We love their idea of making sports sexy!
Nastia Liukin is launching “Nastia Liukin Gold” jeans and tops. Nastia Liukin Gold will be from Vanilla Star Jeans. Cover Girl ads will also have Nastia in the coming weeks. Fan reaction to Nastia has been incredible.
Olympian Nastia Liukin Talks Fashion and Designing
Nastia Liukin may have been a front row fixture during Fashion Week, but it’s not all play for the Olympic Gold medalist. The young gymnast is also in town to finalize designs for her first clothing line in collaboration with Vanilla Star Jeans, a leading denim company for juniors and girls. Nastia’s collection, which will hit all major department stores for the holiday season, will rightfully be titled the Gold Collection. “My style is very casual and relaxed so my ideas fit perfectly with the designs of Vanilla Star. I can’t wait to see my new Vanilla Star Gold Collection in the stores and be able to wear it too!” Nastia said in a press statement. The collection will feature T-shirts and jeans designed by the gymnast. If you can’t wait until the holidays, the brand has come out with an “Inspired by Nastia” line that is in stores now.
Olympic Gold Medalist Nastia Liukin to Appear on ‘Gossip Girl’!
10/15/08 at 12:15 PM
Photo: Photo-illustration: Getty Images, Courtesy of CW
Michael Phelps may have made it onto Entourage, but Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin won the real gold medal of television cameos. You may have heard this before, but it was new to us! She told us at the 29th-Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Dinner that she was finalizing plans for an appearance on the Greatest Show of Our Time. "Honestly, I just wanted to meet the cast, and I was in Los Angeles and I was having dinner with a few of my friends and the producers of Gossip Girl were at the table next to me, coincidentally, so they sent over a note saying, 'Congratulations, keep watching Gossip Girl,'" she told us. "Then the next day they contacted my management and they wanted to meet with us and the next thing I know, I had a guest spot on Gossip Girl." STFU!
Liukin said she hadn't seen the script yet, but was planning on playing a character, not herself — something her friends found way cooler than any gold medal or championship she had won. "They're like, 'Take me with you!'" she said. "I don't know, it's just something that a bunch of my friends always watch, so to actually be on it, it's totally cool." And while most guest stars have only lasted an episode, she said she would be open to making this more than a one-night stand. "I would love to, but we'll have to see how I do," she said. Take that, ShawnJohn — reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for Obama doesn't seem so hot now, does it?
Getty Images
