Weekly Schedule 4/11/2022 — Gyro-what?
THIS WEEK IS DONATION WEEK! Sign up for class to have your class fee donated to our 2022 organization.
With the intention of gathering strength for the new generation of the Black community, our donation class recipient organization for 2022 is Third Street Youth Center and Clinic. Please read more about this clinic and the variety of programs they offer San Francisco youth between 12-24 years old: https://3rdstyouth.org
We donate 100% of class fees from classes attended the second week of every month to the annual organization. We also encourage you to make your own donation directly if you are able.
Week 109 - Some of you have just joined our community, and some of you have worked with me for a while now. Regardless of your experience in our community, you still might wonder:
What exactly is Gyrotonic, and how can I explain it to others?
I’ve always struggled with finding my “elevator pitch” explaining the movement system I teach. The explanation I’m currently using on the studio website:
The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is a form of deep abdominal strengthening combining aspects of yoga, swimming, tai chi, gymnastics and dance. It focuses on the body’s natural movement in three dimensions, breathing, as well as continuous motion that is smooth and uninterrupted. The prime focus is lengthening muscles and increasing space around joints while strengthening and toning the body as a whole.
While this explanation is relatively succinct and accurate, it doesn’t describe how you feel during and after a workout. I’ve heard participants describe feeling:
tired without having broken a sweat
energized
a little stoned
more mobile with more pep in their step
more grounded and balanced
Gyrotonic exercise has also been described as having the qualities of a monkey, an eagle, and an octopus, although no one (yet!) has turned to me after a session stating with joy and confidence, “I feel just like an eagle!”
I think the main benefit of Gyrotonic exercise is how it integrates movement throughout the systems of the body, most directly affecting:
Musculoskeletal — moving your muscles and bones, focusing on tri-planar motion; it checks the box for exercise
Respiratory — breathing sequences corresponding to movement sequences; deliberate and conscious breathing, connecting the brain to the breath to the body
Circulatory — common trait of exercise systems; moving the body assists the heart, arteries, and veins cycle blood through the body
Lymphatic — partially from moving the joints fully and fluidly, and also from self-massage techniques, lymph and interstitial fluid are circulated through the body
Integumentary — rejuvenating the skin through specific self-massage techniques, in tandem with circulatory and respiratory processes
Nervous — brain processing information from senses through the nerves to direct muscular action; focuses on imagery, curiosity, and fun. Connecting through the senses through rhythm/music, translating verbal or tactile instruction into movement
Most importantly to all of the above, the approach of Gyrotonic exercise is to work all ranges of motion of the joints in a supported way (both utilizing equipment and without), to allow for more comfort and ease in both activities of daily living (ADL) and athletic performance at all levels.My favorite example is having to reach something in the back seat of your car. You have to twist around, sometimes get your shoulder, elbow, and wrist into rather complicated geometry. Then you have to lift your intended object, be it a pen, your sunglasses, water bottle, or gym bag. How often do we irritate or injure our bodies by executing a seemingly innocuous movement?
Gyrotonic exercise can also be considered functional training. Short definition excerpted below, but I encourage you to click through to the full American College of Sports Medicine article (emphasis mine):
ACSM refers to functional training as neuromotor training and defines it as training that incorporates motor skills such as balance, coordination, gait, agility, and proprioceptive training (8). Chiung-ju et al. describe functional training in a similar manner. They view the concept as an attempt to train muscles in coordinated, multiplanar movement patterns and incorporate multiple joints, dynamic task, and consistent alterations in the base of support for improved function (9). … Simplyi [sic] put, training functionally requires the body and mind to work together to link efficient movement patterns resulting in the defined outcome/goal.
— Leslie Stenger, M.S. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal: 11/12 2018 - Volume 22 - Issue 6 - p 35-43
All sound a little too complex? Remember, your body executes most of these functions without thought. Gyrotonic exercise connects to your life experience, guides you to new movement potentials, and helps you move forward.
And with that rather lengthy explanation, here’s what’s on the schedule this week:
Monday, 4/11/2022
IN-PERSON GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Class
A 50-minute group equipment class series exploring Gyrotonic exercise on the Pulley Tower. Space for four (4) individuals. Curious about this movement system? This is a great class to learn more.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=11540424
9:30am PST - Tuesday, 4/12/2022:
ONLINE Pilates Mat (Mixed Level)
The props we’re using in April are light hand weights (1-5lbs) and fitness ball (55-75cm). Our workout focuses on dynamic flexibility-stability pairing, and how that translates into better functional strength. Video available if you can't attend live.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13574506
9:30am PST - Thursday, 4/14/2022:
ONLINE Balance and Flow GYROKINESIS®
In April we are revisiting our 2 yoga straps. We'll join them together to make a VERY LONG one, and use it for creating a posture harness among other uses for awareness of our bodies in space during our flow sequence.
Focusing on the ability of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® to increase circulation, mobilize and strengthen joints, and increase proprioceptive awareness, this Zoom class prepares the body for more confidence in standing balance work. Video available if you can't attend live.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13778332
NEW FOUR CLASS SERIES 1:00pm PST - Thursday, 4/14/2022:
IN-PERSON New Neural Pathways Gyrotonic Pulley Tower Class
This is a small group equipment class series meeting Tuesday and Thursday at 1:00pm and is limited to 4 individuals. The focus of this 4-class series is to assist individuals in early-stage Alzheimer's continue to create new neural pathways using the Gyrotonic Methods, connect to their bodies and the community.
The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is a form of deep abdominal strengthening, focusing on the body’s natural movement in three dimensions, breathing, as well as continuous motion that is smooth and uninterrupted.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=31966982
Looking forward to seeing you online and in-person this week! Until then, breathe deeply, stay socially distant, healthy and sane.
Warmly,
Harriet
2022 FOCUS: Firmly deciding, after reducing an abstract problem into its components, to proceed on a journey toward harmony.
Read the first email of 2022 here to understand how this became our resolution for 2022.
