What is GYROTONIC®?

GYROTONIC®, is an original and up-to-date type of stretching gymnastics developed by Juliu Horvath, a dancer and athlete of Hungarian origin.  It offers great benefits to the spine and posture.  It is loved by people all over the world including many stars from the world of music and Hollywood who use it to keep fit and to have an elegant deportment.  it is also loved by athletes from variuous disciplines as it is able to simulate many sports and improve athletic performance.  It uses special equipment designed to help any type of body and any movement.  This equipment is different from any other use in the gym or in Pilates because it allows the body to work in three dimensions.  It is a blend of stretching, joints mobilization (in particular spinal column!), postural gymnastics, breathing control exercises, muscle building and control, strength and flexibility.

What can it do?

It lengthens all body muscles to make them more flexible and less vulnerable to injury and pain.  It helps the person to be more aware of and in control of his/her body in order to alter wrong posture and to help with everyday activities.  It is suitable for all ages and need, both as a therapy and as a complete sports activity to regenerate energy and vitality, help people to relax and to achieve a sense of general well-being.  It is useful to amateur, sportsmen and athletes for strengthening an regenerating muscles.

Is GYROTONIC® also a type of postural gymnastics?

It can be defined as a state-of-the-art type of postural gymnastics.  The special equipments are designed to support and guide the body in exercising in lengthening, but also in symmetry, and therefore correct any postural imbalance, errors weight distribution, problems related to pelvis and other limbs, lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis,etc.  In such cases the presence of a physiotherapist is not specifically asked, however the method must be taught by fully qualified and certified trainers.

Is it a type of Pilates?

Although both disciplines focus on psycho-physical well-being and making people feel well in general, and are based on a detailed study of the body and biomechanics, they differ in their fundamental principles and in the name of the two founders, Joseph Pilates and Juliu Horvath.  While Pilates is a method based on bi-dimensional movements, the  GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is characterised by three-dimensional movements which can be circular, spiraling and which favour the decontraction and regeneration of muscles.  Pilates is based on muscle control in movement in a clearly defined space,  the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®  uses muscles control in movement in a wider range of motion.  This is why the equipments are also different.  For further information on how these two disciplines are different and what they have in common, please refer to the short article in “News” called “The evolution of movement”.

SOS backache!  Can GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® help?

Yes, it can!  It is a valid way of relieving and eliminating any pain related to problems of the spine (lumbar sciatica, cervical, arthrosis, hernia of the disk, scoliosis, etc).  Never underestimate its importance in the field or prevention.

Can this type of gymnastics help in cases of severe back problems or in the acute stage of back pain?

In the case of acute inflammation it is always better to get the advice of a good doctor and in any case to wait for the inflammation of the affected area to disappear.  After this you can start a work plan that requires constancy, collaboration and the elimination of bad habits.  However,  if you are able to move, go to work or go shopping independently, you will surely be able to deal and benefit from an individual GYROTONIC® session focused on, and suitable for the problem.  This session must be given by a qualified trainer, specialized with the GYROTONIC® therapeutic applications in particular pathologys.

My doctor has ordered me to rest and has told me not to do gymnastics! What should I do?

Given that it is always necessary to follow the advice of a good doctor, unfortunately in Italy not all doctors are up-to-date with the latest rehabilitation therapies or support treatments such as  GYROTONIC®.  Often are the patients themselves who introduce this type of gymnastics to their doctors and in this way spread the work about this discipline.  Once the doctor has become familiar with this type of gymnastics, he will be the first to suggest to his patient goes to a specialized GYROTONIC® center, as soon as the inflammation has gone down.

Is it really possible that GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® can be used both for rehabilitation and for training?

Yes, first of all because it was created by a dancer, as a rehabilitation method for himself after suffering severe traumas due to his activity.  This method allowed him not only to start walking again but also to return to dancing on top form!  Furthermore, many doctors all over the world who are specialized in rehabilitation are advising people of any age to use this system.

Should I do it before or after my training? (e.g. jogging, tennis, swimming, volleyball, football, yoga, etc)

It works in both cases.  In fact it is excellent before any type of sports training to prepare muscle tissue and prevent traumas, or after, to relax muscles.  In addition it is a complementary gymnastics for any type of sport as it is able to increase performance and athletic resistance, to improve better reflexes and rapidity of movement.  Finally, it is able to simulate the movements of many sports.  It is a valid support for asymmetric sports like tennis and fencing and even yoga, where many people are able to hold positions more easily and without constraints.

How many classes are necessary to get results?

The first class is an assessment to build up a work plan based on the needs and/or prooblems of th individual.  Right from the first session you can notice benefits, even if not everyone is able to perceive this feeling of well-being.  After that it is advisable to do a group of classes on a regular weekly basis.  Best results are achieved when the classes are twice weekly or three times a week or more often, but the most important thing is to work on a regular basis.  Clearly in the presence of particular problems, and taking into consideration the age and life-style of the individual, it is advisable to continue classes with the aim of prevention.  The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, and the name itself make it clear, that this should non be seen as a series of exercises, but as an system in expansion that helps you to go beyond your limits, that  is based on a methodology and fundamental principles that make use of special equipment, and that brings incredible results if done on a regular basis.  It is a complete training method that can be carried out in various ways according to the need of the individual. It can be used to support other types of training but also as a personal training programme.

To be continued..