GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Methodology: Movement at Play

GYROTONIC NEWS & REVIEW:

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

Photo credit: Dana Rader GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Methods

In my first article of this series, I stressed that our exercise intention should always be to feel good, to have more energy and to be uplifted. When clients first come into my studio in Melbourne most are fascinated by the beautifully designed equipment, however there are those that think it looks like a medieval torture chamber!  I like to think of it as my movement playground…

When we were kids, our eyes would light up at the thought of a playground, with visions of flying through the air on the swings, jumping rope, riding our bike, or hanging upside down on the monkey bars. We knew how to play and have fun and we still can today as adults with the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods. I remember Juliu Horvath (the founder of the methods), saying to us one day in a training session that he wanted our eyes to light up when we were learning a new movement sequence, the same as they did when he said it was lunch time.

Awakening Lost Playfulness

GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods encourage play and non-repetitive movements to awaken our lost playfulness. When a new client starts and is introduced to the techniques, I always say to them let’s have a play. Clients will watch me showing them movements, and when I see a glimmer of that light in their eyes, I know I have found the right toy in my playground for them.

Maybe a new client gets excited by the bicycles; lying on their back with straps on their feet, hanging upside down and running, or jumping on the jumping stretching board. Or the floor work might be something that entices them; attempting to mimic the movements of a cat in the cat back series, which involves kneeling arching and curling, spiralling, kneading, side-arching, and stretching. A cat is supple, playful, and can be very fast. However, it is also relaxed at the same time. Does this description sound similar to an athlete?

Benefits of GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Methods

Is it fun, is it individual, is it exercising? The answer is ‘yes’ to all of these questions. Plus, GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods stimulate bone density, strengthen the core, abdominals, quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteal muscles, as well as improve upper body strength, while encouraging neuroplasticity in the brain through the creation of new and different movement patterns.

We were born to move, and be a kid again, to be carefree and move without restriction; all intentions of Juliu’s methodology.

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

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