It's me again Mr. Galchenko...i wonder when the photos would be posted?...

It's been weeks and the photos aren't still available...
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Sorry for that. I am not in charge of their website any more. Mark Bakalor is extremely busy these days. In case you are interested in photos from their old site I sent you the links to their old galleries to your e-mail.
Vasili

Thanks for the links Mr. Vasili...i totally enjoyed looking at them...

thanks again...

Dear Mr. Galchenko,
I am also a fan of your children. Could you please send me the links to their old galleries as well?
Thanks
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Done.

I would e-mail you, but you are not on the contact list. Since nothing has been posted on the site since July 28, (I know they are busy in Vegas)
I'd like to see some old footage too. Is there anywhere that I can follow their progress this week?
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I sent you the link to their old videos. I can't follow their progress this week myself. Vova and Olga don't have computers in Las Vegas. What progress do you mean? As far as I understand they will be competing only on Sunday according to the schedule on the WJF site.
Vasili

Hello, Vasili.
My question is in regard to your children's training process.
I've read anything you've written on the subject, but would like to hear more details about how you've structured (if at all) their trainings, how much time was devoted to each subject, (juggling, acrobatics, music,etc...)
how much total time per day was dedicated to training, etc...
I have to say, besides their amazing juggling ability, I am more impressed with the 'size of the base of their pyramid'. As we all know, the size of the base dictates the height of the pyramid - success. Can you elaborate on the subject?
Thank you for the information,
you are an amazing parent.
Ido Portal,
Israel.
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Thanks, Ido!
“...how much time was devoted to each subject, (juggling, acrobatics, music,etc...)”
It differs from year to year. If it was a school day, then they only did at home a half an hour of playing the piano, their homework, typing 200 English words, and running in the morning before school (maybe plus 10 chin-ups in the morning). If it was a day off, holiday, etc, then they had a standard set of exercises. Here is an example of Vova’s daily routine from 1995 (just found my writings from 1995):
1) Running 2,2 km (1.4 mi) + dousing with cold water
2) 2 x 10 chin-ups
3) Splits - 5 minutes
4) Bridge - 100 seconds
5) Fold (I am not sure how it is in English) - 100 seconds
6) Back flip - 10 times
7) Flic-flac (don’t know how it is in English) - 10
8) Handflip - forward flic-flac (bunch) - 10
9) Push-ups - 40
10) Chin-ups - 10 + 20
11) Handstands - 10 x 20sec
12) Crocodile - 60 sec
13) The exercise from this video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCm2DkkFywA ) - 10
14) The exercise from this video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmAKM6Yn2cs ) - 10
15) Juggling - 30 mins
16) Writing in Russian - 7 lines
17) Arithmetic (like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV2A39VU85o ) - 20 problems
18) Reading Russian text - 1000 words
19) Typing English words (like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyM-AySniE4 ) - 200 words
20) Reading in English - 500 words
21) Playing the piano - 30 mins
“how much total time per day was dedicated to training, etc...”
Not so much. It was about 3-4 hours, if they didn’t have school that day.
Vasili

Thank you, Vasili!
That was great. Can you give other examples from your training log (Diary)?
If you do not wish to elaborate here, you can email me directly.
I have a Coordination Instructor Diploma from Dr. Mark Werthaim from Germany, we do very similar work with children - acrobatics, balance, music, etc..
Modern research shows that until the age of 12 you have a window of opportunities that you do not want to miss with children. Basicly some coordination and brain development can only occur at that stage of your life. Afterwards there is only an improvement in the skill itself, but not in general coordination.
Why did you choose those exercises, musical instruments, subjects, etc? Any special reason, or was it the childrens choice?
What is your background? an athlete?
Thank you for your answers,
Ido Portal,
Israel.
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Hello Ido,
"Can you give other examples from your training log (Diary)?"
OK, here is an example from June 1996:

Vova (8 years old):
1) Running 2.2 km (1.4 mi) + dousing with cold water
2) Squats on one leg - 2 x 15
3) Splits - 7 minutes total
4) Bridge - 100 seconds
5) Fold (I am not sure how it is in English) - 100 seconds
6) Chin-ups - 11 + 20
7) First exercise on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jWz_H_4j4w - 15
8) Corner on a floor (don't know how it is in English) - 20 sec
9) Push-ups while standing on the hands - 10
10) Flic-flac - 20
11) All kinds of flips (in an air) - 50
12) All kinds of handflips - 30
13) This exercise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCm2DkkFywA - 10
14) Handstands - 5 x 30 sec
15) Crocodile - 60 sec
16) Juggling - 30 min
17) Arithmetic (multiplication and division) - 20 problems
18) Handwriting in Russian - 10 lines
19) Reading Russian text - 1500 words
19) Typing English words (like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyM-AySniE4 ) - 500 words
20) Reading in English - 500 words
21) Playing the piano - 30 mins

Olga (5 years old, almost 6):
1) Running 2.2 km (1.4 mi) + dousing with cold water
2) Handstands near the wall - 60 sec
3) Splits - 6 minutes total
4) Bridge - 3 min
5) Fold (I am not sure how it is in English) - 3 min
6) Chin-ups - 11
7) First exercise on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jWz_H_4j4w - 11
8) Keeping a "corner" on a bar - 15 sec
9) Corner on a floor (don't know how it is in English) - 20 sec
10) Push-ups while standing on the hands - 10
11) "Cartwheel" - 30
12) "Press" (Olga sits on my shoulders, I hold her legs and she bend down to the end and returns back to the sitting position) - 20
13) All kinds of handflips - 50
14) This exercise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCm2DkkFywA - 10
14) Handstands - 25 x 2 sec
15) Crocodile - 30 sec
16) Juggling - 30 min
17) Arithmetic (like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV2A39VU85o ) - 20 problems
18) Handwriting in English - 3 lines
19) Reading Russian text - 1000 words
19) Typing English words (like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyM-AySniE4 ) - 350 words
20) Reading in English - 300 words

"Modern research shows that until the age of 12 you have a window of opportunities that you do not want to miss with children. Basicly some coordination and brain development can only occur at that stage of your life. Afterwards there is only an improvement in the skill itself, but not in general coordination."
It sounds like true for me.

"Why did you choose those exercises, musical instruments, subjects, etc? Any special reason, or was it the childrens choice?"
Just because those exercises were at Vova's circus school and at Olga's gymnastics. I don't assert all those exercises were necessary for Olga and Vova's future life though. As for a musical instrument, first at the Circus School was a choice between a piano, a guitar, a violin, and a domra. We chose a piano, because we had it at home and because the most serious music teacher was the piano teacher. (Her son was Vova's classmate, so she kept working at Circus School for a year for free after the director stopped to pay for her work. All other music teacher left the school very soon after Vova entered it.) I guess Olga wanted to take piano lessons under influence of Vova's piano classes.

"What is your background?"
Math teacher.

"an athlete?"
No, just two years in gymnastics at age of 8-10. I was not any close to Vova and Olga's level.
Interesting thing is that in fact I started to learn English together with Vova. I did learn it at school and in the University, but as most of Russians I couldn't communicate in English at all.
Vasili

Hello, Vasili.
Thanks again for the information. Keeping a log of everything is both very Russian and very beneficial :)
Some questions:
1. What is 'corner on floor'?
The abdomen exercise is called "Hanging Leg Raises". The balance exercise from a split sit to handstand is called "Straddle L-Sit Press to Handstand".
2. What is crocodile? do you mean 'crocodile walk'? crawling on the floor on all fours? please describe.
3. What are your views on building a base for logical thinking processes and mathematics? Were would you begin with a child? what math subjects? how would you keep him 'thinking outside of the box'?
We have a lot of Russians here in Israel, and I have many Russian friends. I also train in a Russian only Boxing club, where everybody only speaks Russian. (Since the only Israelies that box are Russians and Arabs) What I noticed was the benefits of classical education (Russian education) as opposed to the western way. The diffrence is mainly in the background and the common knowledge (Base of the pyramid) and not always in the specializing field of interest. Alot of Russians play some kind of musical instrument, are above avarege in sports, even in an older age, have a good 'head on their shoulders' for math and logical processes, etc..
What do you think of this?
I hope I do not disturb you with my questions, I find your family and you very interesting and diffrent from the western way of seeing things.
Thanks again,
Ido Portal,
Israel.
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"1. What is 'corner on floor'?"
Keeping legs under 90 degrees to the body, while standing on your hands. I hope you understand what I mean.

"The abdomen exercise is called "Hanging Leg Raises". The balance exercise from a split sit to handstand is called "Straddle L-Sit Press to Handstand".”
Thanks, now I know how it is in English.

"2. What is crocodile? do you mean 'crocodile walk'? crawling on the floor on all fours"
No. Look at this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyb8QGk0KXY Crocodile is from 10 to 15 sec. Vova did it on one hand, Olga - on two hands.

"3. What are your views on building a base for logical thinking processes and mathematics?"
The earlier start the better. Counting, explaining stuff to kids, discussing problems.

"Were would you begin with a child?"
Not sure what you mean.

"what math subjects?"
Counting from as soon as he starts speaking. (We counted footsteps when we climbed up to the eight floor.) Learning digits. Arithmetic. Nothing new. As well as school is doing it.

"how would you keep him 'thinking outside of the box'?"
Developing ideas that are different and unusual? Do you mean this? Well, I am not sure. Just talking to your child, reading scientific books with him/her, discussing problems and ideas.

"Alot of Russians play some kind of musical instrument..."
Well, probably it is true only among Russian Jews. I noticed musical education is much more developed in America than in Russia. And I noticed many Jews learn to play some instrument here in Russia.

"...are above avarege in sports, even in an older age..."
I am not sure. Especially in an older age. Drinking, smoking, gluttony, and a lack of physical culture are not good helpers for being good in sports.

"...have a good 'head on their shoulders' for math and logical processes, etc."
Again maybe it is true among Russian Jews, they pay much more attention to the education of their kids than an average Russian.

"I find your family and you very interesting and diffrent from the western way of seeing things."
I find my family more of western type, than of Russian type. Typical Russian family is not similar to ours.
Thanks,
Vasili

Dear Mr. Galchenko,
Hi! I was just wondering if you could email me a link of the pictures and videos that were on the old website. I only watched a few of them before the new website came. Thanks!

-Tom

Mr Galchenko;

Did you excpect Vova and Olga to grow up taking juggling a lot more seriously than gymnastics?

Also, at what age did Vova study at circus school?
When did you start teaching them how to do these amazing things? What age?

\Thank you! Adrian Pole

Also, I want to start taking my juggling to a lot higher level, like performing ETC. Shall I follow my dream seriously and work up to a career in juggling? Or shall I think about this when I am a lot older?(I am 11-but I can juggle 6 balls and rings and lots and lots of tricks!)

hey tom you can access their oldsite by typing into the adress bar

Galchenko.com/oldsite and thay will bring you up to the old page

I see they were into alot of things when they were little...but what about their spiritual education?...
I read Vova's blog and he is having second thought about if God really exists....
I just wanna ask if it bothers you...
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"but what about their spiritual education?..."
I am an atheist, so I didn't push my kids to any church. Their mom (and my wife) is a believer. We both explained our points of views to Vova and Olga. This is totally their choice to be an atheist or a believer.
By the way their both grandmas are believers and their both grandpas are atheists.
Vova and Olga both were christened at a very young age (Orthodox Church). I didn't hinder my wife and my mom in doing it.

"I read Vova's blog and he is having second thought about if God really exists...."
What do you mean? What second thought?

"I just wanna ask if it bothers you..."
Sorry, I didn't understand what exactly may bother me.
Vasili

I see...well i think the fact that you're also an atheist answers it all...I'm a believer and maybe that's why some of our beliefs kinda clash...
It's just that I can see that Vova and Olga are really good people but they kinda don't believe in God and...you know...I'm sorry if I can't express myself much with the matter...I'm only 15...
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"It's just that I can see that Vova and Olga are really good people but they kinda don't believe in God and...you know..."
Is it bad in your opinion that they don't believe in God?
Vasili

Mr. Galchenko,
After enjoying the many videos you put on youtube and at the old site, I had two short questions for you:
1. How involved was your wife in the kids various activities?
2. Were your downstairs neighbors ever upset at the 'thuds' from the clubs falling on the floor or the noise from the gymnastics?
All the best to all of you,
Sammie
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"How involved was your wife in the kids various activities?"
We both brought them up. I can't separate myself from my wife in upbringing process. All decision we took together. We discussed all matters. Yes, I was mostly in all those activities you see on the videos: juggling, acrobatics, general physical trainings, Math, English. Mom was mostly in cooking, washing, medical treatment (it happened very rare), making money (the major part of our family income was from mom), getting visas..., so that I could concetrate on teaching Vova and Olga. Without my wife it wouldn't be possible for Vova and Olga to learn so much.

"Were your downstairs neighbors ever upset at the 'thuds' from the clubs falling on the floor or the noise from the gymnastics?"
Yesterday I answered the similar question on YouTube. He/she wrote:
"I bet the chandelier fell off your neighbor's ceiling downstairs. ;)"
I answered:
"Actually one day a piece of plaster came off their ceiling. Though it was not after Vova did a back flip on the floor or something, but after Olga accidentally fell down from our arm-chair. Well, we were lucky with our neighbors downstairs. In return now they have a rest for 3 years already. :-)"
Yes, sometimes they were upset. That's why we tried to reduce the noise covering the floor with additional carpets, pillows from the sofa, etc.
Vasili

Yes...i believe in heaven and in hell and I don't think that being just a good person is enough...you gotta believe that there is God and have faith in Him...

Mr. Galchenko, just tell me if i'm pissing you off and I'll stop...

Other than juggling, what do Olga and Vova have planned for the future? It sounds like Olga is a pretty serious student, but I don't see hints about what types of future study she's interested in.
Berkeley sounded like a great opportunity. It's unfortunate that the timing for the summer didn't work out better, though sometimes you have to take the opportunities in life when they arise, not when it's most convenient.
I don't see a lot of hints about whether Vova plans any additional education, or how much either of them plan to make juggling a long-term career. Have they given much thought to other goals in life?
Watching some of the early home life video I had to wonder if they would grow up to be like their acting in the "Rootberry" video. It's great to see their more human sides in some of the old site pictures. I hope those pictures don't get lost as the web site evolves.
Congratulations to you and your wife for raising two great kids!
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Thanks, Doug!

"It sounds like Olga is a pretty serious student..."
Yes, pretty serious.

"...but I don't see hints about what types of future study she's interested in."
By now she is going to study Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in college. But I don't think she really knows what she wants. Or rather there are many things she wants, but she is not sure which to choose, since time is limited.

"I don't see a lot of hints about whether Vova plans any additional education..."
Vova is going to refresh his Math and Physics knowledge being in Russia during the next year to be able to enter some college, when he comes back to America. But he didn't decide it yet, if he wants to enter college.

"...or how much either of them plan to make juggling a long-term career."
Olga is definitely not planning to make juggling a career at least at the moment. I am not sure about Vova.
Vasili

Hi, there is a youtube video that clames to be posted by a galchenko, with the proper new intro for all their new videos. It is from the Today show.. Why isn't this available on the galchenko site? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7-2rgKPeGM
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Chris, these videos are posted by Vova (who is also Galchenko :-)).

"Why isn't this available on the galchenko site?"
I don't know. I also think they should be on galchenko.com. I guess Vova and Mark are very busy with other stuff right now.
Vasili

Very good site. Thank you.

Nice site. Thank you!

Cool site. Thanks.

Cool site. Thanks.

Very good site. Thanks!

Good site. Thank you!

Very good site. Thanks!