Gyrokinesis® & Gyrotonic® Methods of Intention

GYROTONIC NEWS & REVIEW:

By Columnist Dana Rader – Exercise Physiologist, GYROTONIC® & GYROKINESIS® Master Trainer:

Photo credit: Dana Rader GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Methods

As an accredited exercise physiologist and an international specialized master trainer in both the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods, clients often ask me what they should do for exercise. Many people I see do have injuries and chronic conditions therefore sometimes their choices are limited regardless, our exercise intention should always be to feel good, to have more energy and be uplifted.

Intention and GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS®

Intention is a key component in the both the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods. I consider myself fortunate that I have been trained by the founder of these methods Mr. Juliu Horvath.

GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Founder Mr. Juliu Horvath

Juliu was born in Hungary, he became a professional classical dancer, and immigrated to America. When he could no longer dance due to debilitating injuries, he began a search to find a method that would help him to heal, through many years of searching and experimenting his methods were born.

I recall Juliu talking about intention in movement in one of the many instructor training’s I took with him. “Intention is the driving force that moves the body,” he said. We were a large group and he asked us how we would get across the room from point “A” to point “B”. Of course the common answer was to get up and walk forward across the room.  Yes that would get us there. However, we could have also walked backwards, sideways, zig-zagged across the room, walked on our hands or crawled, all would have got us to the same point, with the same intention, however each of us would have experienced a very  different journey.

GYROKINESIS® or Yoga for Dancers

What is known as the GYROKINESIS® method today was originally known as “Yoga for Dancers”. It is practised on a stool and a mat, and it is the foundation for the GYROTONIC® method, which utilizes beautiful wooden pieces of specialized equipment for support and resistance.

Juliu’s intention was to create a method that is cardiovascular, strengthening, and invigorating, which also increases our feeling of well-being and happiness all while celebrating the joy of movement. There is so much stress in our daily lives that drains our spirit and body that it is exciting to find an exercise regime that can help you re-connect, reset and re-energise.

My intention over the next 12-months is to cultivate your awareness and hopefully help you find a path to your inner dancer or maybe your inner runner, regardless Juliu insists his methods must be “playful”. But this is another story, for the next instalment.

Please Note – GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp., Miami Beach, FL USA and are used with their permission.

About Our GYROTONIC News and Review Columnist