By Paloma Richards
With so many exercise trends these days, it may seem impossible to decide which one is best. But now there is a machine that combines numerous types of exercise and movements into one. This is where Gyrotonic comes in. Gyrotonic is made up of movements of a lot of different disciplines such as yoga, Tai Chi, gymnastics, karate, swimming and martial arts. Like Pilates, it focuses on developing core strength, "but it's through mobility more than stability," said Elizabeth Farley, studio director at the Movement Center on Newbury Street, the first studio in Boston to offer Gyrotonic. She added, "In other words, you move your spine, its all about spinal motions." Gyrotonic provides benefits similar to those of yoga or martial arts, but the equipment is very different. With Gyrotonic, there are no mats; instead there is a pulley tower unit. Developed by Hungarian dancer Juliu Horvath in the 1970s, Gyrotonic can stretch and strengthen muscles and tendons; boost range of motion, balance, flexibility and coordination; and articulate and mobilize joints. "The idea is that when you work on the program, there are different levels, different sort of areas on the machine that you work on," said Farley. She listed leg work such as the hamstring series, upper body series, and arch and curl series. In an article by IDEA Fitness Journal, Horvath said that he not only wanted the exercise to be enjoyable and creative, but also smooth so that no movements are forced. Gyrotonic teaches how to move the body in the way that it was designed to move. Farley said this is something that many people lose touch with, but is still extremely important. "We sit a lot, we drive a lot, we hunch over things and that takes a toll on the body after a while," she said. "The spine starts to collapse and basically, the spine is the center of your body functionally and spiritually." With the stresses of work, school or life in general, many are looking for an exercise that also allows an escape. Proponents say Gyrotonic can provide that. "Your mind and body have to work together to make the movements that you do successful. It's a very mindful kind of exercise," said Farley. "It's really restful, really restorative because you have to tune everything out. You can't be thinking about your 'to do' list while doing this, you think about your breath and you focus inward. So it has a meditative quality." "When you walk out you feel good. You don't feel like you've been pounding your body on the treadmill. It's kind of like therapy even," said Kate McDermott, a senior at Simmons College who has been doing Gyrotonic for over three years and is now a Gyrotonic apprentice at Motion Arts in Allston. Farley also said Gyrotonic does not have to replace other exercises you may like to do. Instead, it can improve how you do those exercises. "If you like to run or play tennis, Gyrotonic can make you do that better," Farley said. "It can teach you how to use your body so you can do that without injury."
Gyrotonic also can be used as rehabilitation for those with joint injuries or for those who have had shoulder surgery.
"You teach people how to move without locking their joints so that they don't create the same amount of stress on their joints that they normally would," said Farley. McDermott is one Gyrotonic participant who can testify to the rehabilitation benefits. "I have had a series of hip injuries throughout my skating career so it has really helped me loosen up and kind of know where my body is at," McDermott said. According to an article by Reuters, Gyrotonic can also help people with lower back pain, scoliosis, and osteoporosis. One look at the Gyrotonic machine and you might think you will never be able to master the exercise, but most sessions are one-on-one allowing you to focus on your breathing and the motions. And for those who prefer a class setting, there is Gyrokinesis which offers the same movements as Gyrotonic, but instead of using the machine simply uses a mat and stool. While the physical and mental benefits of Gyrotonic are good selling points, some may just be looking for an exercise that is enjoyable and different, another inviting aspect of Gyrotonic. "It's fun. It's a different kind of movement," said McDermott. "It's not like anything else you really do, you don't really feel like your exercising. You're just kind of like 'oh this is fun actually.'"
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