Aloha and welcome! We bring our true Hawaiian Aloha to every session we offer.
What IS The Gyrotonic Expansion System?
In line with more traditional types of yoga and martial arts techniques, creator Juliu Horvath's goal with The Gyrotonic Expansion System is to bring the mind, body and soul in to union. This ancient spiritual approach towards overall health has been focused into the emergence of an exercise method that has been created to answer the growing needs of a fast paced, dynamic culture.
It is modern day yoga for the modern day individual.
Unlike anything you have experienced, The Gyrotonic Method will spiral your spine and limbs, open your energy centers, safely and effortlessly increase the range of motion in your joints, all while building strength, stamina, flexibility, power and endurance. For those seeking an alternative in place of traditional linear modes of exercise The Gyrotonic Expansion System is a low-impact expansion method that can be practiced by everyone regardless of age or fitness capability. A Gyrotonic session can be a relaxing and rejuvenating movement experience (Laura calls this "yummy, gummy, gooey"), or an invigorating and challenging workout, depending upon the goals and needs of the client that particular day.
Whether you are an advanced athlete, a golfer looking to improve his or her game, a beginner student, or perhaps recovering from an injury, Gyrotonic sessions increase flexibility and range of motion dramatically, while at the same time toning and strengthening the entire body.
How was the method developed?
A pathway to recovery...
Imagine an experience that is the evolution of dance, swimming, chi kung and yoga that causes your mind, body and breath to ripple with energy. Envision your body undulating like an ocean wave and swaying like a palm tree.
By activating your imagination, you just took your first step into the world of Juliu Horvath, the founder of the Gyrotonic Expansion System.
After suffering a ballet injury, Horvath developed the method as a way to rehabilitate his body and spirit. In the process, he developed a movement method for strengthening and realigning the body. Through spiraling movements, breathing exercises and a pattern of motion that engages the body from head to toe, the Gyrotonic experience fully invigorates your being as it oxygenates and strengthens your body.
In a time where the average person spends most of his or her day collapsed in front of a computer screen, the Gyrotonic Method has never been more important; By developing a regular practice, one can counteract the impact of the technological revolution on our minds and bodies. Get ready for a physical awakening, one twist at a time.
Is Gyrotonic exercise new?
While Gyrotonic has been around for a few decades, many have not heard of The Gyrotonic Expansion System. Juliu Horvath, a modern visionary in the world of mind-body development, created the Gyrotonic equipment and exercise after years of intense study and self-exploration seeking to heal his own body. It is a sophisticated mind-body fitness method that ingeniously combines exercise with the energetic awakening and transformation of Chi Kung (and other forms of internal martial arts), the flexibility and balance of yoga, the strength and body toning of weight training, the grace and elegance of dance, the internal focus and calm mind of Tai Chi, along with improved core strength, coordination and aerobic conditioning.
The method has therapeutic applications for people recovering from life's ailments - shoulder injuries, hip replacements, strokes, breast cancer, and surgeries, as well as applications for special times in life - pregnancy, menopause, and aging. The method is applicable to athletes, dancers, golfers, tennis players, martial artists, and us "regular folks" who may be living with chronic back pain, neck and shoulder tension, and more.
Benefits of the Gyrotonic Expansion System
What are the benefits of Gyrotonic Movement?
- Builds a strong mind-body connection
- Strong, long, lean muscles
- Improves balance, gait, and other activities of daily living
- Increases mobility and freedom of the spine and joints
- Releases pain and restrictions in the body
- Stimulates and strengthens the nervous system
- Helps to build new neuro pathways and correct faulty movement patterns
- Hydrates and frees the neuromyofascial system
- Promotes conscious connection and purposeful intention
- Releases tension and improves clarity of mind
- Increases circulation of blood, lymphatic fluids, and vital energy
- Improves breathing and respiration
- Improves coordination, balance and flexibility
- Alleviates poor posture and restores structural integrity through the application of specialized alignment principles
- Builds profound dynamic core strength
- Restores proper body function and integration of all systems: muscular, skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, fascia
- Sharpens mental focus and cognitive abilities
- Creates an overall sense of body and mind rejuvenation, peace and well-being
- Helps to slow the aging process through mental and physical stimulation and regeneration
- Enhances any form of exercise, sport, or performing art
- Has unique 3-dimensional movements that help us tap into aspects of our brains that linear 2-dimensional systems cannot access (numerous studies have shown dance, martial arts, swimming, and The Gyrotonic Method are unique in this regard)
- Compliments/supplements physical therapy and other rehabilitative bodywork
- Pre & Post Surgery applications
- Pre & Post Natal applications
- Osteoporosis/Osteopenia prevention (helps you build bone)
- Scoliosis and Back Injury applications
- Amazing compliment to other Mind-Body disciplines such as Yoga, Dance, Pilates
Advanced Training.....
As Somatic-based Movement Therapists and Educators, we're fond of saying..."We pick up where Physical Therapy left off - or never happened!"
In addition to working with our general clients and their fitness and wellness goals, both Laura and Steve have 1,000s of hours of advanced training in both rehab Pilates as well as advanced coursework in the Gyrotonic Method of Movement. Additionally Laura and Steve have advanced training as Medical Massage Therapists (although neither of us currently practice massage therapy). In our Hawaiian Medical Massage Therapy school, our 1,250 hour program consisted of intense anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, assessment and treatment design, and therapeutic hands on work along with therapeutic exercise. The schools goal was for their graduates to work side by side with allied health professionals (e.g., Physical Therapists, Physicians, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, and other Massage Therapists). As Movement Educators, we believe that the more a client understands about their condition, what contraindications exist, and which options for alternative exercise therapy (and bodywork) exist, the more these clients can take their power back and get fully onto the road of healing.
We often say that our specialty is, "Fixing Broken Birds so they can Learn to Fly Again!"
Both Laura and Steve had extensive shoulder "re-build" surgeries. Laura's was from a slip and fall while Steve's was from a Moto X accident. Steve was fortunate enough to have his injury after we opened our studio in Hawaii. Laura worked with Steve to get his shoulder as strong and stable as possible BEFORE his surgery...as surgery was the only option to repair his shoulder. As soon as the Doctor cleared Steve for exercise, Laura began working with him in the Gyrotonic studio. He began the very same exercises she had given him prior to his surgery. At his 6 week follow up the Doctor exclaimed that he had never seen anyone "at Steve's age" recover so quickly from a surgery like as intense as his. He asked what we were doing. We responded with, "We are both Hawaii licensed massage therapists with specializations in medical massage and therapeutic exercise and we also happen to own a Gyrotonic studio." The doctor was so impressed, he told Steve there was no need for PT as we were clearly on the right path.
We've made it our life's work to help others with this amazing movement method the way it has helped both of us AND our many clients.
"I can finally walk again!"
Where she was at: A woman in her 40's came into the studio to begin Gyrotonic lessons, after hearing Steve and Laura speak at a local traumatic brain injury event. Her goal was to continue rehab for her injuries, as her health insurance had run out. She had been involved in a head on collision while both vehicles were driving 55 miles per hour. The other driver swerved into her lane and she was unable to avoid the collision. She broke over 100 bones in her body. She received a major head injury (traumatic brain injury or TBI). And she nearly bled out. The doctors had nearly given up hope that she would live. She was transferred to a critical care facility and then eventually a long term care facility. She could not speak, move, let alone walk at that time. She was later able to speak, move and walk with the aid of a walker and a caregiver to keep her from losing her balance. Her cognitive skills were also challenged. Eventually her insurance company would no longer authorize further physical therapy. She said that we were her last hope of recovery....
You'll love how a Gyrotonic session feels in your body
"Gyrotonic exercise with Laura gave me my life back"
After working on building my own company and raising twins on my own, the stress I was under had taken it's toll on my physical and mental state. I'd tried everything (yoga, pilates, massage, meditation) and nothing helped.
Then I heard about Laura and Gyrotonic exercise. I was skeptical, as I'd never heard of it before. By the end of the first session I was hooked. Not only did the movement feel SO good in my body, I felt as though I had gained a part of myself back that had been missing.
I've been practicing the Gyrotonic Method (on the equipment) and the Gyrokinesis method (in group class) now for 4 years and cannot imagine my life without them.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing this amazing method into my life.
~ Marta Barerras
Feng Shui Consultant
Kauai