Just The Tonic
In this edition, Louise Sylvester learns more about the strengthening, stretching and toning benefits of Gyrotonic®…
Given the popularity of Pilates and Yoga classes it’s fair to say there are plenty of us out there looking for ways to improve our posture, muscle strength and flexibility. It’s well known that such improvements go way above simply making us ‘look’ better – they make our bodies function better too, which is especially important as we age.
I recently discovered that there is another method that can help with this goal – Gyrotonic®. The name might seem a little obscure, but when you realise that Gyro in Latin means to ‘go around’ or ‘to turn in a circle’ then it starts to make a bit more sense – at least it does to me, having taken a class! Let me tell you more.
Gyrotonics
The Gyrotonic® Expansion System (to give it its full name) was developed by Hungarian-born Juliu Horvath as a way to stretch and strengthen muscles while stimulating the connective tissues in and around the joints. It is said that regular participation can dramatically alter body shape by producing long, lean and toned muscles.
That all sounds great, right? So having been invited along to try a session at Fabrice Maufrais’ West End studio in Hyndland, I was genuinely excited to see how it all worked.
The technique evolved from Horvath’s original idea – Yoga For Dancers and encapsulates movement ideas from the worlds of dance, yoga, tai chi and even swimming. The use of the custom-built equipment supports the body in movements that are circular and fluid leading to strength, balance and flexibility.
Fabrice is an ex-ballet dancer who trained with the Paris Opera Ballet School and danced with Nantes Opera Ballet and the Scottish Ballet. He currently teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and so it is fair to say he knows a thing or two about the human anatomy and the many benefits stretching our muscles can bring.
He tells me: “Focusing on physical alignment and deep muscle control helps you become fitter and healthier in body and mind. Through an understanding of anatomy and physiology our qualified instructors encourage gradual, sustainable changes in alignment, mobility, posture, strength and breathing.”
From Dancing to Gyrotonic
Fabrice has three instructors who work with him in the studio, all trained dancers who have benefitted from Gyrotonic® themselves. One of them, Katie Murray explains her love of the method: “During my time as a dancer I came to value the importance of strength and conditioning training which led me to take an interest in the Gyrotonic® method.
“I subsequently decided that my passion lay outside of a performing career and so I retrained as a Gyrotonic® instructor and I now love working with clients at the studio and seeing the results they achieve both physically and mentally.”
I was able to meet one of the studio’s dedicated clients – Mary, who told me how at age 77 she incorporates the method into her keep fit regime, alongside ballet, tap and Pilates classes! She tells me that after her first ever Gyrotonic® session she felt about 6 feet tall. And that’s exactly what using this specialised equipment under the supervision of specialised trainers can do – coaxing our bodies out of the positions that modern life has seen them become far too accustomed to.
Beyond Expectation
Having looked online beforehand I had something of an idea of what to expect, but what I experienced was so much more than that expectation. The personalised nature of the class – having an instructor focus on your technique on each piece of equipment and make corrections to your positioning – made for an intense but satisfying hour.
I especially enjoyed using the jumping-stretching board, which allowed me to jump while lying down. Sounds confusing, but it was straightforward and a bit of a thrill to use. I did a lot of ballet in my younger days and liked being able to sauté in this unusual position. Fabrice explains that the ergonomic, gliding platform allows users to experience running and jumping in a low impact, horizontal plane, with the spine and pelvis fully supported, making it ideal for post injury exercise.
Indeed Gyrotonic® is a great way to remedy sports injuries, but in the manner of Yoga or Pilates it is also a great way to keep the body fit and supple for the sport of your choice – be that running, golf, tennis, dance. Fabrice tells me that he has many clients who are golfers, a sport which uses one side of the body and can result in pain due to becoming ‘misaligned’. Gyrotonic® helps to realign the body with all exercises completed on both sides.
In Tune With Your Body
Perhaps you aren’t into sport, or maybe you are simply looking for a way to stay fit and healthy without joining a gym or attending busy fitness classes where you become ‘lost’ in the crowd. Gyrotonic® is a great solution for those who recognise themselves in this statement as the sessions are always conducted on a one-to-one or two-to-one basis.
Speaking about the technique’s many benefits, one of the studio’s clients enthuses: “Gyrotonic® has truly changed the way I look and feel. I’m more in tune with my body, and I’ve noticed I’m both stronger and more flexible than before. It’s not just about the physical gains though – it’s the sense of balance and calm it brings to my whole life.”
While another agrees: “Gyrotonic® has helped me connect to my body in a whole new way. It’s about learning to breathe deeply and move with ease, which makes me feel more grounded and better every day.”
I can see where they are coming from, just one session at Fabrice’s wonderful studio left me walking taller and feeling calmer. If I have one piece of advice though it is this, don’t just read about it – book a session and give it a go. This is something you really need to experience to truly understand all it has to offer.
The Benefits In a Nutshell:
- Sculpting the body
- Activating and strengthening core postural muscles
- Increasing flexibility and range of motion
- Reducing stress levels
- Increasing energy levels
- Cardiovascular improvements
- General physical awareness
Fabrice Maufrais Studio
19 Westbourne Gardens, Glasgow G12 9UL
T: 07748 103195
fabricemaufraisstudio.co.uk
Return to Travel and Leisure Articles
