The Gyrokinesis & Gyrotonic Journey for Exercise and
Awakening
By Lisa Lansing

Pilates, yoga, rowing, dance and gymnastics have their respective places in the fitness world, while qi gong, Taoism, Reiki and cranialsacral therapy have their respective places in the world of energy healing and transmission. New to many is the Gyrotonic Expansion System, a technique that bridges those two worlds as it ingeniously combines exercise and movement with energetic awakening and transmission.

After defecting from Romania in 1970, Hungarian-born Juliu Horvath began the creative journey that led to the Gyrotonic Expansion System (colloquially shortened to “Gyrotonic”). After sustaining an injury that halted his career, Juliu Horvath lived reclusively in the mountains on Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands. There, he devoted himself to a serious study of yoga and an exploration of human energy, or “life force.” From this evolved a methodology eventually called Gyrokinesis, which embraces some of the key principles found in yoga, tai chi, dance, swimming and gymnastics. Central to this new methodology was the connection of energy to breathing patterns and movement sequences.

Gyrokinesis methodology is a movement system that is taught in group classes. Gyrotonic training, on the other hand, applies Gyrokinesis principles to specialized equipment and is taught one-on-one. The unique and beautiful equipment is adjustable to suit any particular body – from elite athletes to people convalescing from injury or seniors who simply wish to remain supple and strong. All machine exercises are compression-free and involve multiple joint articulations and energetic mindfulness.

The Gyrotonic journey begins with instruction in physical and mental awareness, which feels like a peaceful “resting in the bones.” From there, move-ments lengthen and articulate the spine, joints and limbs. Once one experiences this opening in the body and joints, she/he begins to crave the movement and the feeling it creates in the body. This “feeling” is the energetic awakening that Gyrotonic training evokes and eventually transmits through the entire body and its many systems. Students are jubilant about “how good it feels” as they progress and soon want to “try the exercises again.” One of the best things about Gyrotonic practice is the sensation of feeling alive, peaceful, open and grounded after each session. Best of all, it only gets better with time. As a student progresses, her/his body opens more, strengthens more, feels more and gains more range of motion. Students say that the techniques help them change the way they stand, move and sometimes even how they view the world. Gyrotonic training is not just a movement and energy-based exercise system; it is a journey.

Practiced Gyrotonic movements help to open and increase the range of motion in the spine and all the joints, as well as develop the capacity for breath and an understanding of its essential role in movement and energetic awareness. The movements also help open the energetic pathways in the body. The student also develops core strength and flexibility, which promotes physical coordination, endurance and power. Gyrotonic movements awaken and strengthen the nervous system while tendons, muscles, ligaments, connective tissue and organs are revitalized, stimulated and strengthened. As one opens the heart center and other power centers in the body, the energy layer of regenerative life force is also awakened. Gyrotonic practice enhances every system in the body, including the muscular, skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous system. It even enhances the chakra energy centers.

The influence from yoga is obvious to yogis, but there are no poses in Gyrotonic training. Instead, Gyrotonic exercises continually move and encompass “biomimicry.” In other words, Gyrotonic motions mimic nature. Movements of the spine mimic the motion of seaweed in water; breathing patterns mimic the misty sound of the ocean or emulate the biological pump of the beating heart; energy moves through the meridians and then returns much like the ebb and flow of ocean waves upon the shore. Gyrotonic methodology unites nature, movement and energy.

One important aspect to Gyrotonic training is the teacher/student relationship. Each exercise comes with verbal cues and hands-on assistance or manipulations to help students achieve their physical and energetic potential. Teacher assistance is critical as the student learns how to move “around a joint,” find an “energetic echo” with each movement, open the “heart center” and move with freedom and joy.

Certified teachers dedicate years to their personal Gyrotonic study. The certification process requires a life-long commitment and teachers must certify with Juliu Horvath. Gyrotonic methodology is a dynamic system that continues to evolve as Juliu Horvath remains steadfast in the exploration and development of his work. Therefore, certified teachers are required to study with master trainers and remain updated on the evolution of the work.

Gyrotonic training is offered throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Brazil, Japan, Korea, China, Australia, Taiwan and is quickly spreading into other areas around the globe. Dancers and yogis typically flock to the work as do many golfers, tennis players, professional athletes, Pilates converts and energy workers. Seniors, baby-boomers and people from all generations find Gyrotonic lessons refreshing and accessible, as well. A certified teacher can streamline a lesson for beginners and challenge the advanced athlete. Ultimately, it is difficult to sum up Gyrotonic methodology concisely because different people experience Gyrotonic training in different ways based on their own physical and energetic challenges. The best way to understand it is to experience it!

For more information on Gyrotonic and creator Juliu Horvath, please visit www.gyrotonic.com.

Lisa Lansing is a certified Level 1 Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® Trainer and is certified to teach the Gyrotonic Ladder®. She is an official pre-trainer in Gyrotonic® for prospective teachers. She teaches and resides in Cleveland Heights and can be reached at lisa@inpsiralmotion.com or (216) 403-8740.