Gyrotonic is an exercise plan that uses the most modern approaches to physical fitness to help you improve how your body functions and carries you through life. Invented in 1977 by the Hungarian dancer Juliu Horvath, who was particularly interested in human physiology, it was originally called Yoga for Dancers, and then, White Cloud. Brought to the United States in the early 1980s, it was given its current name to highlight its goal of improving your body’s circulation and tone.
WHAT GYROTONIC® AND ITS APPLICATIONS CAN DO FOR YOU
Gyrotonic uses your body’s natural movement patterns to decompress and strengthen your entire spine. Not only is your spine the foundation for all movement; many believe it is the structural foundation for good health. The Gyrotonic workout consists of progressively challenging exercise modules that promote multi-directional and spherical movement within your body.
Gyrotonic makes you less vulnerable to injuries, stress and micro-traumas by increasing your spinal column’s functional ability. Being able to complete multiple joint movements without compression gives the body extraordinary flexibility and capability. At the practice’s heart are seven spinal movement principles:
- bending forward
- extending backward
- side-bending the right
- side-bending to the left
- rotating to the right
-rotating to the left
- circular motion
Gyrotonic principles embrace key elements also found in yoga, dance, swimming and martial arts. Through speed and endurance variations, you can create an actual simulation of sport activity.
The program uses undulating and rhythmical exercises to work systematically and softly on joints and muscles, building core and lean muscle strength while nourishing the body with focused breath work. Every exercise is synchronized with a specific type of breathing pattern, which builds breathing endurance. Advanced programs utilize both delicate and vigorous cardiovascular and aerobic rhythms.
GYROTONIC®, “THE CORE” AND THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY
The international medical and scientific community has celebrated the Gyrotonic methodology as one of the best physical rehabilitation techniques available. It has been used to achieve the functional recovery of professional athletes and dancers, as well as the general public. It is safe for all ages and populations and can help establish better structural and functional well-being.
The following excerpt from OPTP's (Orthepedic Physical Therapy Products), "Achieving Core Stability" newsletter, published in February 2005, highlights Gyrotonic’s benefits:
“The body's core muscles, also known as the trunk, are made up of the transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus, diaphragm, and pelvic floor muscles. The muscle groups encircle and support your spine, making them the most intimately involved groups in spinal stabilization. (Think of them as a brace for your spine.) They also play a crucial role in communication with the central nervous system and brain. The strengthening of functional muscle groups (core muscles) leads to a more sophisticated neuromuscular system and improved lumbar spine support.

The workout consists of exercise modules which progressively promote multi directional and spherical movement within the body and into the environment around it. Via the body’s natural rotational movement patterns, Gyrotonic decompresses and strengthens the entire spine – the foundation for all movement (and according to many, the structural foundation of good health).

Gyrotonic focuses attention on increasing the functional ability of the spinal column, thus becoming much less vulnerable to injuries. It develops seven spinal movement principles – bending forward, extending backward, side bending right and left, rotating right and left, and circular. Furthermore, it can help prevent stress or micro-traumas. Multiple joint movement without compression gives the physical constitution extraordinary flexibility and capability.

Gyrotonic principles embrace key elements also found in yoga, dance, swimming and martial arts. It works systematically and softly on joints and muscles by means of undulating and rhythmical exercises. Its fully rotational nature builds core and lean muscle strength while nourishing the body with focused breath work. Through speed and endurance variations, one can create an actual simulation of sport activity. Every exercise is synchronized with a specific type of breathing pattern, inherently building breathing endurance. In the more experienced range, cardiovascular and aerobic rhythms (delicate or vigorous) are central to form.

Thanks to the attention of the international medical and scientific community, Gyrotonic methodology asserts itself all around the world as one of the best techniques of physical rehabilitation. The work has been directed towards the functional recovery of professional athletes, dancers and the general public. It is a means towards establishing structural and functional well being. Gyrotonic is safe for all ages and populations.

The following is an excerpt from OPTP's (Orthepedic Physical Therapy Products), "Achieving Core Stability" newsletter from February 2005:

The body's core muscles, also known as the trunk, are made up of the transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus, diaphragm, and pelvic floor muscles. The muscle groups encircle and support your spine making them the most intimately involved groups in spinal stabilization. (Think of them as a brace for your spine.) They also play a crucial role in communication with the central nervous system and brain. The strengthening of functional muscle groups (core muscles) leads to a more sophisticated neuromuscular system and improved lumbar spine support.