Gyrotonic®
“The ultimate aim is to be at home in one’s body, to be at one with the nature of oneself, and to experience exercise as a creative and delightful experience.”
~ Juliu Horvath – Creator of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®
The GYROTONIC® Method
The GYROTONIC® Method is a unique form of exercise that incorporates movement principles from yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and tai-chi. Created in the eighties by former dancer Juliu Horvath, the GYROTONIC® Method stretches and strengthens muscles, while simultaneously stimulating and awakening connective tissues throughout the whole body. Each session is customized to the individual and promotes the idea that the human body should work as a harmonious system. The GYROTONIC® Method creates balance, efficiency, strength and flexibility by arching, curling and spiraling the body gracefully through movements.
Some of the benefits that come from experiencing the GYROTONIC® Method are:
- Increased movement efficiency
- Strengthening the core of the body
- Enhanced balance and stability
- Opening and stimulation of energy pathways
- Stimulation and reconditioning of the nervous system
- Improved posture
- Released tension in the body
- Increased and development of flexibility, motion and strength
- Development of breath-movement coordination
- Articulation of the spine
- Relieved stress at the joints
- Improved circulation and enhanced aerobic and cardiovascular activity
- Revitalized energy of the body
- Prevention and rehabilitation of injuries
The GYROTONIC® Method is accessible to people from all walks of life and is based on each individual’s abilities. Whether you are recovering from an injury, dealing with a disability or an athlete that wants to improve their performance, the GYROTONIC® Method has something to offer.
The GYROTONIC® Method EQUIPMENT
The innovative and specialized GYROTONIC® equipment is designed and inspired by the natural movements of the body and is used to guide the client to move through a range of motion without jarring or compression. The equipment is fully adjustable to each individual and allows for complete freedom of movement while providing support via constant resistance making it ideal to meet the needs of any body type and strength level. The different pieces of equipment provide their unique challenges and promote different ways of moving and individual benefits.
The Pulley Tower Combination Unit
The GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Combination Unit is the main piece of equipment in the GYROTONIC® Method and is the most widely used. All GYROTONIC® Tower classes take place on the Pulley Tower. It is a result of over thirty years of research and design. The fully adjustable bench and handle unit make it versatile and easily customizable for each client’s proportions and movement capabilities. The smooth, even support of the innovated weighted pulley system eliminates the jarring at the beginning and end of movement where most injuries tend to happen and provide the client with a natural range of motion creating three-dimensional, functional movement.
The Archway
The Archway is like the jungle gym of the GYROTONIC® Method specialized equipment. The ladder-like arch provides the perfect scenario for playing with and discovering how we can explore our relationship to gravity. It provides some of the most physically challenging exercises in the GYROTONIC® Method repertoire. The Archway highlights the concept of opposing energies creating more length and stability by moving in vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and inverted directions. The exercises performed call for the ultimate balance between strength, stability and flexibility. Despite the challenging nature of the Archway, everybody can experience working on this unique piece of equipment.
GYROTONER®
The GYROTONER® takes many of the GYROTONIC® Method exercises and puts them in a standing position while coordinating movements with the upper body. It helps to facilitate shoulder and thoracic spine articulation in relation to the spine in many different planes. Helping to work on extension of the torso from the pelvis, the GYROTONER® is great for clients that play tennis, golf and baseball, to name a few, or are recovering from any upper torso injury. The GYROTONER® also emphasizes articulation of the hip joint and mobilizing the pelvis.
Jumping-Stretching Board
With the exception of the Pulley Tower, the Jumping-Stretching Board is perhaps the most versatile piece of equipment and a client favorite due to the broad range of exercises and modifications that allow for accessibility to people with varied strength and flexibility levels. The Jumping-Stretching Board offers a diverse range of whole-body functional movement challenges while kneeling, standing, lying and sitting. The combination of the ergonomic gliding platform, four independent gliding slides, rotating platforms, propeller and pulley tower feature make the Jumping-Stretching Board an amazing addition to any client’s workout to improve flexibility, coordination and functional strength.
Leg Extension Unit
The Leg Extension Unit provides the client with functional full body movement sequences that help to strengthen the upper and lower body coordination as well as hand and foot coordination. The unique, patented design of the cam mechanism allows the legs to elongate as it extends, facilitating the fluid, natural range of the hip and knee joints. This natural range of motion decompresses the joints while increasing the stability and strength. The idea of contra-lateral movements, working with opposite sides of the body, in various planes provide an extra challenge for the nervous system while increasing functional strength and stability at all joints.
