GYROKINESIS®: Not Just “Yoga for Dancers” Anymore....

2010-04-08

GYROKINESIS® : Not Just “Yoga for Dancers” Anymore....

By Jolayne Berg

Juliu Horvath struggled for years with chronic illnesses and injury during his career as a professional ballet dancer. In his journey to personal healing, he was inspired to create a "different method of movement” that would not only repair bodily injuries, but could be modified for anyone, regardless of age or state of health.

Horvath developed the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods by adapting principles from yoga, dance, tai chi, gymnastics and swimming.

Gyrokinesis, originally called “Yoga for Dancers,” works the entire body without equipment to stimulate internal organs through synchronized and flowing movements. “Gyro” means spiral, and “kinesis” means the movement or activity of a cell or an organism in response to a stimulus.The other component of Horvath’s system is Gyrotonic exercise; in Gyrotonic, various apparatus incorporate movements from Gyrokines is to allow the person to move with support and resistance.

In both systems, fluidity is the key; postures are smoothly connected through the use of breath, while the rhythmic and undulating movements stretch and strengthen muscles and joints.

Gyrokinesis classes have three distinctive parts,all performed on either a stool or a mat.

The first is the awakening of the body for movement.This is accomplished by taking a moment to become present with the body and breath. Depending on the format of the class, there is either an actual 'awakening of the senses,' involving literally stimulating the cells through brushing, tapping, and massaging of the body and its extremities, or shoulder release exercises and opening of the cervical spine.

The second is a series of spinal movements designed to create warmth and flexibility. There are seven natural elements of spinal movement integral to Gyrokinesis. Specifically --forward, backward, right side, left side, right twist, left twist and circular.

The third and final stage is a series of exercises designed for strengthening the core and upper body, and adding suppleness to the muscles and joints of the legs. These exercises most closely resemble the yogic postures Horvath studied as he developed the system.

All three components of Gyrokinesis stimulate internal organs and create energy, wellness, healing and youthfulness from the inside out.

For those taking Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis classes deepen your equipment workouts, improve flexibility and provide you a way to keep up your practice even when you don’t have equipment available to you. All you need is a chair or stool and a yoga mat.

To learn more about GYROKINESIS® or find a class to attend, please visit our website (www.coreatl.com) or e-mail Jolayne at jolayneb@coreatl.com.

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