Gong Gymnastics

Gong gymnastics has come out of an assimilation of gymnastic movements and Balinese dance motions. Being a sport, gong gymnastics shows the forms and characteristics of movement similar with other gymnastics, only differing in the use of instruments having a Balinese nuance with the traditional gamelan orchestra of Gong Kebyar.
Movements applied in Gong Gymnastics are free style but united with Balinese dance elements without adopting the whole movement of the dance. For example the absence of “nyeledet” motion of the eyes, “ngelier” calm eyesight, or “nyegut” biting, known as another Balinese dance expression.
Gong gymnastics only absorbs movements of the ‘low level’ (squatting), ‘middle level’ (swaying hand movements with curved body), and ‘high level’ (springing repeatedly).
I Nyoman Suarsa is the dance artist creating the Gong Gymnastics after having accepted the concept of the creation given by Denpasar Mayor, A.A. Puspayoga, wishing to improve the vision and mission of “Denpasar as a Culture-oriented City”.
Many sporting grounds in Denpasar have been visited by gymnastic groups from various regions or countries, followed by the emergence of proper gymnastics conforming to culture and the specific character of Bali, i.e. the Gong Gymnastics.
The Gong gymnastics’ musical accompaniment was arranged by Denpasar’s STSI Indonesian Academy of Arts teacher, Mr. I Nyoman Winda, with a try-out performed by students of Senior and Junior High Schools throughout Denpasar City in 2000. Since then, the Gong gymnastics has become widely socialized among wives of civil government officers associated in Denpasar’s PKK Union, further spread to Bangli and Buleleng Regency.
The Gong gymnastics in a new version arranged by Kadek Suardana, is to take to the floor on New Year’s Eve in Denpasar at Puputan Badung park on 31 December. (Buda)