GYROTONIC®
Gyrotonic®, also known as the Gyrotonic Expansion System, is a system of exercise that was developed by Juliu Horvath in the 1980s.
It is centered around enhancing spinal movement in three dimensions, which not only focuses on increasing the functional mobility of the spine but also building 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 system consists of two complementary exercise methods – the Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Methods.
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 expands outward and then returns 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 system. 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 human anatomy in mind, this equipment offers extensive adaptability, promoting improved coordination, strength, and flexibility and facilitating an increased range of motion.
Jennifer Fain
Jennifer Fain is a natural born teacher, mover and performer. She spent the last 20 odd years of her life Training as a Dancer and naturally it molded into the fitness industry where she first became a glorified Barre instructor through the Exhale Enterprise. She went on to get Yoga certified in 2019 and naturally came out as a healer from her courses in
Vedic Thai yoga bodywork. Ultimately, it led her to Gyrotonic, which made the most sense to the dancer’s body, feeling the most amount of reach and expansion in her movements.
She brings the expansion system to MILLA DANCE FIT STUDIO in Bay Harbor Islands, where she teaches Adult and kids Ballet, Musical Theatre, Le’ Barre, Cardio Sculpt, and offers one on one privates for those who are looking to feel better in their body mostly compared to the Pilates workout, the Gyrotonic® exercise is performed in circular and spiral motions stimulating movements like moving underwater. There is resistance enough to strengthen and feel a great stretch in the body.