Английская Википедия:Gyrotonic

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Gyrotonic expansion system is an approach to movement that was developed by Juliu Horvath in the 1980s. It is centered around enhancing spinal movement in three dimensions, which not only elevates the functional mobility of the spine but also boosts the strength and flexibility of the muscles surrounding it. It focuses on using spiral and circular patterns to move the body in all three planes: frontal (coronal or vertical), sagittal, and horizontal. The aim of Gyrotonic training is to push the body past its perceived boundaries, focusing on exercises that stretch, strengthen, and elongate muscles while nurturing the connective tissue around joints to improve balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility.Шаблон:Cn A system that facilitates a gentle, progressive approach to enhancing joint and muscle function through rhythmic movements that incorporate elements from swimming, dance, yoga, tai chi, and gymnastics, Gyrotonic is used for exercise, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Besides the focus on exercise of various muscle groups, and on rotational movements, the Gyrotonic technique also focuses on breathing and rhythm. The technique has a significant following in the dancing and other athletic communities, including a number of high-profile athletes. Gyrotonic has been proven beneficial in the treatment of scoliosis and lower back pain.

Файл:Gyrotonic Pulley Tower Combination Unit.jpg

Gyrotonic Tower and Pulley

Origins

The Gyrokinesis and Gyrotonic methods of exercise were developed by Juliu Horvath. Horvath, a Hungarian native raised in Romania, has a diverse background as a former ballet dancer, yoga practitioner, and wood sculptor. In his 20s, he embarked on his journey by dancing with the State Opera Ballet in Timișoara before moving to the United States in 1970 during a tour in Italy. Following a six-month stay in a refugee camp, he received political asylum in the United States. Relocating to New York City, Horvath joined the esteemed New York City Opera and performed alongside ballet luminaries such as Margot Fonteyn and Jacques d’Amboise. His path later led him to Texas, where he secured a position as a principal dancer with the Houston Ballet. An injury to his Achilles tendon and a damaged spinal disc ended his dancing career.

Following this, Horvath withdrew to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and devoted himself to an in-depth exploration of Kundilini yoga, during which he gained insights into the body's internal mechanisms and began sharing this knowledge. This period of introspection and study laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Gyrokinesis method.

Upon his return to New York City in the early 1980s, Horvath started sharing his exercise technique at Steps on Broadway, a renowned dance studio, and in Central Park. Garnering a dedicated following, he started his first studio, White Cloud, in 1984. First calling it the Julio Horvath Method, he later chose a combination of the Greek words for "circling" (Gyro) and "stretch" (Tonic).

There, he also began to design and construct the initial pieces of Gyrotonic equipment, marking the beginning of the Gyrotonic Expansion System. Horvath has continued to contribute to and refine the system, ensuring its ongoing evolution. Despite age-related limitations that may affect his capacity to teach as actively as before, the system continues to grow and develop under his guidance and the efforts of its practitioners worldwide.

Gyrokenesis and Gyrotonic

The origins of Gyrotonic training can be traced back to a sequence of equipment-free exercises, initially referred to as "Yoga for Dancers." This foundational routineand method have since been developed into Gyrokinesis, which forms the cornerstone of the broader Gyrotonic exercise system.

Gyrokinesis exercises engage the entire body through a series of fluid movements that gently mobilize multiple joints and stimulate internal organs, all without the use of equipment. The program engages the whole body through the seven fundamental spinal movements: forward, backward, lateral to the left, lateral to the right, twisting to the left, twisting to the right, and circular motions. Horvath characterizes the movements as fluid, uninterrupted, and cohesive, likening them to the ripples caused by a pebble dropped in a lake that expand outward and then return inward. The exercises within the Gyrokinesis method are conducted on stools that are either 16 or 20 inches in height.

In contrast, Gyrotonic training involves specialized equipment designed to support the body while providing resistance, facilitating movements that might not be achievable without such apparatus. In an effort to enhance the teaching and execution of his movements and methods, Horvath designed the Tower and Pulley. The Tower and Pulley system is a carved wooden machine featuring curvilinear shapes. This design supports continuous, flowing movements that lack distinct beginnings or ends, favoring spiral and circular trajectories over the linear patterns typical of conventional exercise methods. Crafted with the human anatomy in mind, this equipment offers extensive adaptability, promoting improved coordination, strength, and flexibility and facilitating an increased range of motion.

Both Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis facilitate continuous, flowing bodily movements that are coordinated with specific breathing patterns. The benefits of these practices include improved aerobic and cardiovascular health as well as the promotion of neuromuscular rejuvenation.

Principles

Horvath uses the octopus, monkey, and cat as inspirations for their unrestricted movement capabilities, aiming to replicate this freedom within the human body's natural limitations. His approach to exercise combines a sense of creativity and enjoyment, advocating for the incorporation of musical rhythm and poetic fluidity into physical activity, striving for skillful execution that comes naturally without struggle.

Gyrotonic exercises involve moving the body through various circular and spiral patterns, aiming to develop strength in the muscles while maintaining the flexibility necessary for optimal bone function. The circular nature of the movements, combined with the equipment's design, facilitates uninterrupted motion. Consequently, Gyrotonic exercises are characterized by their lack of a definitive end point, allowing for a continuous flow of activity.

Gyrotonic is based on some foundational principles that guide the movement and exercises.

• Stability Through Contrast: Achieving stability not by holding the body in a fixed position, but through a dynamic balance of extending outward and drawing inward. This involves a rhythmic pulsation of movement, creating stability by balancing opposing forces.
• Space in the Joints: Enhancing joint mobility by creating space within them, which is achieved through the balance of opposing forces and a 'scooping' motion around the joints. This approach allows for freer movement and reduced compression.
• Corresponding Breath Patterns: Integrating specific breathing patterns with movements, where inhalation accompanies expansive movements and exhalation aligns with contractions. Advanced techniques introduce varied breathing qualities to support complex movements.
• Intention as the Driving Force: Emphasizing the importance of having a clear direction or intent in movement. This principle suggests that the effectiveness of a movement is significantly influenced by the mover's focus and envisioned path.

Vocabulary

Gyrotonic employs a few concepts unique to this method. This vocabulary was invented by Horvath to help the practitioner visualize and reach the goals of the exercises. A few terms that are unique to Horvath's methods of Gyrotonic and Gyrokenesis are:

• Seed Center: Represents the body's center of gravity, located within the pelvic bowl, but extends beyond a mere point to symbolize a source of balanced energy. Like a seed growing both roots and shoots, energy in the body extends downward for grounding and upward for mobility, paralleling the relationship between the axial (spine to head) and appendicular (limbs) skeletons during movement.
• Fifth Line (Bone Line): Imaginary central line running through the limbs, aligning with the bones' central axis. Directing energy through this line activates the deepest muscle layers in a balanced manner, facilitating efficient movement and enhancing the connection between muscle and bone, allowing for smooth, unimpeded motion.
• Power Point (Exit Point): A conceptual point in the center of the hand or foot, envisioned as the endpoint for energy traveling along the fifth line. This point can also serve as an entry, with energy flowing in both directions, enhancing limb lengthening and movement efficiency.
• Narrowing the Pelvis: Involves engaging deep internal muscles to alter the pelvis's shape, akin to squeezing a soccer ball into a more elongated form. This concept is also linked to a kinesthetic sensation similar to the tightening felt when puckering up, applied internally to the pelvic region to achieve a 'narrowing' effect.

Gyrotonic Equipment: Development and Varieties

The design and functionality of Gyrotonic equipment have significantly evolved over the past twenty years. The cornerstone of this equipment is the elegantly designed pulley tower combination unit, featuring a blend of wood and leather materials, outfitted with an array of pulleys and weights. This central apparatus is key to promoting a more spherical awareness and articulation of the spine within a three-dimensional space.

Specialized Units within the Gyrotonic Equipment Range

1. GYROTONER: This device is specifically engineered to replicate the body's natural movements across various planes, making it particularly useful for the rehabilitation of shoulders, elbows, and wrists. It includes versatile handle and foot mechanisms that can function both individually and in unison.
2. Jumping-Stretching Board: Designed for both stretching and strengthening the torso, this board excels in facilitating the side-to-side movement of the legs.
3. Ladder Unit: The purpose of this unit is to enhance the user's proprioceptive capabilities and to assist in achieving deeper stretches.
4. Leg Extension Unit: Focused on lower body therapies, this unit is recognized for its effectiveness in addressing issues related to the knees, feet, and ankles.

The overarching design philosophy of Gyrotonic equipment prioritizes the facilitation of joint movements without causing compression, aiming for a balanced engagement of muscle pairs. These apparatuses are adaptable to a wide range of body sizes and strength levels, making them a versatile choice for rehabilitation centers, dance and sports training facilities, general fitness programs, and studios dedicated to Gyrotonic exercises.

References

Шаблон:Fitness-stub