My Querencia

My Querencia

A querencia is a place where you feel comfortable, protected and at home. It is a place where you are able to relax. One of my querencias is the Toby Wells YMCA gymnastics center. This is where I go four days a week to practice gymnastics. When I have a hard day I can go to the gym and let out all of my anger or frustration into my skills. I release the most frustration by tumbling or doing vault because I can release a lot of physical energy.

When I vault I run as fast as I can and jump as hard as I can and my adrenaline pumped body makes me forget all my troubles. As I race down the runway I feel the air push up my ponytail and I close my eyes in anticipation of the impact of my feet hitting the springboard. Boom! I hit the board like an explosion that sends shockwaves up through my legs just as my arms stretch out and up to prepare for their hit against the vault. After I finish my vault I rotate over to the uneven bars. My hands grab the bar with a loud thump. I jump up onto the bar and feel it squish against my stomach. I push my body as high as it will go and when I am upside down and directly perpendicular to the bar I push my body even harder so I can drop down, release the bar, spin around and grab the bar behind me.

If I am upset I can always talk to one of my teammates. My teammates are understanding and supportive of me because I have been with them for eleven years and they know me very well. Besides my teammates I can also rely on my coaches. My coaches always tell me words of encouragement and kindness. I feel safe because I know that my coach will always be there to catch me when I fall. I always feel safe and protected around my teammates and coaches when I am at gymnastics.

I can change my bad day around to good by doing something first-rate at gymnastics. Practicing gymnastics really helps to build up my confidence and self esteem. At the end of a long practice I think, “I have done it.” My body is bursting with pride and joy. I feel my coaches smile and my teammates cheer. I have succeeded. All the cheering and floor music becomes a low hum in the back of my mind. All the flashing lights and picky judges become a blur. The only things that exist in this moment are myself and the gym. I start to run, and the world slips away. I feel comfort and joy in a world that I have come to know so well and in which I feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.