Gyrotonic® - What is Gyrotonic?

I hope this article will provide an introduction for those of you who have heard of Gyrotonic, but are not quite sure what it is. In this article I will give a brief explanation of Gyrotonic, what it is, its history and it’s many benefits and applications.

Gyrotonic has been compared to Yoga and Pilates. This is certainly a good place to start from, and ensures you are thinking in the right direction.
Juliu Horvath developed the Gyrotonic & Gyrokinesis principles, which combine elements of dance, tai chi, swimming and yoga. Originally applied to dancers, with machines built to aid a dancers pirouette, Gyrotonic grew to help athletes, people in rehabilitation and the wider general public. Gyrotonic is safe for all people, young and old, men and women of all fitness levels.
What is the difference between Gyrotonic & Gyrokinesis? Gyrotonic is performed on specially designed equipment, allowing uninhibited range of movement no matter who you are, what your fitness level, size or physical possibilities. Gyrokinesis works with the same principles, but without the machines, using mats and chairs, with seated, floor and standing work – much like a moving yoga class. Both have a strong focus on a mobile, strong and healthy spine, moving it though all its directions, and working through the rest of the joints of the body in a systematic, low impact way. With the aid of the machines, and their weight and pulley systems resistance is used to stretch and strengthen the musculature.
Breathing is important too! An integral part of Gyrotonic, breathing is coordinated with the movements, and gives a feeling of lightness, expansion and rejuvenation in the body.

What are the benefits of Gyrotonic?
The equipment allows the body to move freely, and the movements performed on the machines are, for the most part, three dimensional, working the joints in a spherical way, through multi-axial, multi-articular joint motion. What does all that mean? Instead of isolating a muscle group, Gyrotonic allows the body to move as it would normally – through all planes of movement at once – and always works the core muscles, no matter what particular focus any one exercise might have. So when working the hamstrings, the movement will always be related through the core. The same is true for the arms, feet, abs etc.

Benefits include:

• Strength development
  
• Toned muscles
  
• Increased flexibility
  
• Increased range of motion
  
• Increased co-ordination
  
• Postural change
  
• Injury rehabilitation
  
• Increased body awareness
  
• Body-mind connection
  
• A sense of wellbeing.

Gyrotonic is practiced around the world, and there are 2 headquarters, one in the USA, one in Germany. With numerous teacher trainer facilities worldwide, and Master Trainers specializing in diverse applications such as pre/post natal, golf, tennis, equestrian, martial arts, Gyrotonic is becoming increasingly accessible and applicable to all.

I hope to have provided you with a basic overview of Gyrotonic, its history, benefits and current applications. For further information so not hesitate to email me, or visit our website.

GYROTONIC®, the GYROTONIC® LOGO, Gyrotonic Expansion System®, and GYROKINESIS® are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and are used with their permission.