DANCE MEDICINE

Dance Medicine -  GYROTONIC®

What is Dance Medicine and Science?

Medicine is the science and art of preventing and alleviating or curing disease. Dance medicine and science is the application of that realm to the specific life and body of the dancer. As a discipline it investigates the causes of dance injuries, promotes their care, prevention and safe post-rehabilitation return to dance, and explores the ‘how’ of dance movement. Some specific concerns include the biomechanical, physiological, and neuromotor aspects of dance, nutrition, psychological issues, and the body therapies and somatics area.

The training and self-discipline necessary for the individual to become a dancer are potential sources of physical and emotional strain that may result in temporary or extended disability. The performance of dance, in whatever form, can result in physical injury that may be acute or chronic due to overuse. Prevention of injury/illness is the concern of the educator and health care practitioner involved in dance medicine and science. Preventive recommendations are based upon:

1. The results of scientific analysis of dance technique and its impact on intensity of teaching, rehearsing and performing.
2. The results of clinical studies which examine the mechanisms and course of injury rehabilitation and movement re-education.
   

When injury or other related disability has occurred in the dancer, rational rehabilitative techniques based on these recommendations make return to and continuation of dance possible.
 
Definition of Dance Medicine and Science provided by the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (www.iadms.org). Text cited from the Dance Medicine Resource Guide, Second Edition, J. Michael Ryan Publishing, Inc. Written and edited by Marshall Hagins, PhD, PT.

GYROTONIC®

About

The Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methods are complementary exercise methods that fall under one umbrella - the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® .  Both methods were developed by Juliu Horvath, an ethnic Hungarian, professional dancer from Romania.  Horvath suffered a series of debilitating injuries during his dance career, and began developing what are now known as the Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Methods as a way to heal himself and regain his strength and agility. 

Gyrotonic exercises are performed on custom-designed Gyrotonic equipment, whereas Gyrokinesis exercises are performed on a mat and chair. Both Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis exercise sequences are composed of spiralling, circular movements, which flow together seamlessly in rhythmic repetitions, with corresponding breath. Each movement flows into the next, allowing the joints to move through a natural range of motion without jarring or compression. These carefully crafted sequences create balance, efficiency, strength and flexibility.

Since the thirty plus years since Horvath began developing the Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methods, the Gyrotonic Expansion System has grown to include a global community of over 7,800 Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Trainers teaching in 52 countries.

For Everyone

The Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methods are both highly adaptable, making them accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical ability.

GYROTONIC® students are both young and old, recovering from illness or injury and healthy. They are accomplished athletes and dancers, college students, baby boomers, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.

Some of the benefits of  GYROTONIC® and  GYROKINESIS® exercises include increased strength and flexibility, renewed energy and vitality and a general sense of calm and well-being.