A vibrant and inspiring illustration of a gymnastics coach kneeling next to a young athlete in a supportive, encouraging stance. The athlete is standing confidently on the gym floor, with bright, uplifting affirmations surrounding them, such as 'I am strong,' 'I am brave,' and 'I believe in myself.' The background features a warm, welcoming gymnastics environment, emphasizing inclusion, empowerment, and positive reinforcement for neurodivergent athletes.

The Power of Affirmations in Adaptive Gymnastics: Building Confidence & Connection

neurodiversity-affirming| inclusive gymnastics coaching| strengths-based
March 02, 2025•3 min read

The Power of Affirmations in Adaptive Gymnastics: Building Confidence & Connection

As coaches working with neurodivergent athletes, we know that gymnastics isn’t just about skill progression—it’s about fostering confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. The way we speak to our athletes, and the way they speak to themselves, plays a huge role in their growth.

That’s why affirmations are such a powerful tool.

Why Affirmations Matter in Adaptive Gymnastics

Many neurodivergent athletes experience heightened emotions, self-doubt, and sensory challenges that can impact their ability to engage in class. They might struggle with transitions, fear of failure, or frustration when learning new skills. Using affirmations as part of your coaching practice helps reinforce positive self-talk and builds emotional regulation skills over time.

🗣 Affirmations can help athletes:
✅ Feel safe and valued in the gym
✅ Develop a stronger sense of self-confidence
✅ Reduce anxiety and frustration in challenging moments
✅ Learn emotional regulation strategies
✅ Feel supported by their coaches and teammates

The words we hear and repeat shape our beliefs. If a child constantly hears “You’re too wiggly” or “You’re not listening,” they may internalize those messages in a negative way. But when they hear and repeat affirmations like “I am important” or “I am trying my best,” they begin to believe in their own abilities and worth.

How to Use Affirmations in Your Gymnastics Classes

1️⃣ Start Practice with Positivity
Before warm-ups, have your gymnasts choose or repeat an affirmation. This sets the tone for a session focused on encouragement and progress.

2️⃣ Incorporate into Stations
Create a sensory station where gymnasts can pick a card with an affirmation to say out loud before moving to the next activity.

3️⃣ Use During Regulation Moments
If an athlete is feeling overwhelmed, affirmations like “I am safe” or “I can do hard things” can help them re-center and regain confidence.

4️⃣ Pair with Movement
Have gymnasts say “I am strong” while holding a strong shape or “I am brave” before trying a new skill. The mind-body connection strengthens the message.

The Affirmations We Use in Our Gym

I created this list of affirmations for my own children and quickly realized that I was also using them in my gymnastics classes. Now, I’m sharing them with you!

💡 Affirmations for Gymnasts:
✨ I am important
✨ I am loved
✨ I am brave
✨ I am strong
✨ I am kind
✨ I am safe
✨ I am creative
✨ I am a good friend
✨ I believe in myself
✨ I can do hard things
✨ I have great ideas
✨ I am learning
✨ I am trying my best
✨ I am a great thinker

These affirmations help gymnasts recognize their strengths, feel encouraged, and develop self-regulation skills that extend far beyond the gym.

Get Your Free Affirmation Sheet!

I want every coach to have access to these affirmations, so I’m offering them as a free download. You can print them for your gym, share them with your athletes, and start incorporating them into your classes today.

📩 Click "HERE" to download our Affirmation Cards for Gymnasts!

Let’s build a generation of athletes who believe in themselves—inside and outside the gym.

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As a passionate pediatric physical therapist and inclusive & adaptive gymnastics educator, I focus on fostering neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based practices in gymnastics and physical therapy. With years of experience, I believe in empowering every child to thrive through child-led approaches that celebrate individual strengths. My journey from a deficit-focused and compliance-based mindset to an inclusive coaching philosophy has transformed my relationships with athletes and their families, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Join me on this mission to build a more inclusive world for all.

Sigourney Weathers, PT, DPT

As a passionate pediatric physical therapist and inclusive & adaptive gymnastics educator, I focus on fostering neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based practices in gymnastics and physical therapy. With years of experience, I believe in empowering every child to thrive through child-led approaches that celebrate individual strengths. My journey from a deficit-focused and compliance-based mindset to an inclusive coaching philosophy has transformed my relationships with athletes and their families, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Join me on this mission to build a more inclusive world for all.

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