Gyrotonic Story learn the history and methodology My Pilates Studio

Gyrotonic Story Juliu Horvath

Gyrotonic Equipment

STORY

Hungarian Juliu Horvath was born and raised in Romania. Juliu is one of three children and as a youth he participated in swimming, gymnastics, rowing and many other sports. At age 19, he became interested in classical dance. By the time he reached his twentieth birthday he was dancing principle roles with the Romanian State Opera. While on tour in Italy in 1970 he defected and stayed in a refugee camp for six months. Juliu then received political asylum to the United States and he was headed to New York.

After arriving in New York he was soon hired by the New York City Opera and began dancing for their tour company. Later, Juliu danced as a guest artist at Radio City Music Hall and then got a job as principal dancer with the Houston Ballet. While with the Houston Ballet, Juliu ruptured his Achilles Tendon and the injury brought his dancing career to a sudden halt.

After the injury Juliu started practicing yoga more and more.

In 1977, Juliu moved to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and continued an intensive study and practice of yoga. During this diligent study he discovered the inner workings of the body and developed a system that he called “Yoga for Dancers,” which is a deeper and more advanced level that is now called GYROKINESIS®

Juliu returned to New York in the 1980’s and began teaching his “method” at “Steps on Broadway” and in Central Park. When Juliu developed a large enough following he opened up White Cloud Studio.

Juliu dreamed of a machine that would help a dancer achieve a better turn or pirouette. This dream and Juliu’s creative energy lead him to the development of GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®.

GYROTONIC METHODOLOGY

Gyrotonic methodology allows users to stretch and strengthen muscles, while simultaneously stimulating and strengthening connective tissues in and around the joints of the body. These exercises are synchronized with corresponding breathing patterns, thus enhancing aerobic and cardiovascular stimulation and promoting neuro-muscular rejuvenation.

Gyrotonic methods offer complete freedom of movement and are performed on the Professional Pulley Tower. The system is fully adjustable and can meet the needs of many people with varying body types and levels of strength. The even and constant resistance in the handle unit and pulley tower (through the triple reduction in the pulleys), completely eliminates the jarring that takes place at the beginning and end of exercises performed on conventional exercise equipment, where many injuries occur. The circular, spiraling and undulating movements that characterize the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® help to increase the functional capacity of the spine contributing to a spherical and three-dimensional awareness, resulting in increased equilibrium and strength.