Chinese put 'happy' before gymnastics

In a room full of bright-colored cubes and giant mattresses, giggling children climb bars, try somersaults and walk gingerly on a low balance beam. Some stand on their hands, showing off their bellies under the guidance of four coaches.

It was pure fun for 8-year-old Lucy Huang. Her parents have modest goals for her progress: they hope the lessons help her stay fit, improve her balance, and help brain development.

"I love it here because there's lots of fun. I love doing flips forward and backward, and I like the rings," she said in one breath while sitting on the balance beam, her legs dangling.