Dancers are elite athletes both physically and mentally and require extensive training in and out of the studio. Here are 8 reasons professional dancers like Principal Misty Copeland in ABT and Principal Mathilde Froustey in San Francisco Ballet are making the The GYROTONIC® Method a part of their training.
1. Injury Prevention
Forcing turnout, tucking, and hyperextension are all stresses dancers put on their joints that can be career ending over time. Injuries like Achilles Tendonitis, achy hip flexors, sore knees, and excessive joint popping are the first warning sign to bigger injuries. Some times the cycle seems endless when you have no time to “rest” and after you do take time off, these injuries reappear. A Gyrotonic session for dancers is a great way to improve these scenarios while continuing with your vigorous class and rehearsal schedule, or while you has to take time off.
2. Increase Range of Motion
A dancer needs to be able to access their flexibility potential in a healthy way that is not damaging their tendons, ligaments, and joints. This means learning how to hold a joint stable as they push their flexibility limits. Some times, dancers limit them selves by using the wrong muscles to turn out or heighten their arabesque, for example. Gyrotonic exercise simultaneously stretches and strengthens each muscle group in a way that is identical to the range of motion needed in dance class, increasing flexibility in a usable way.
3. Alignment
The way we walk, stand, and bend is a direct link to our success level. Now times that by 1000 and you have dance. Alignment is everything. So often dancers try to mimic what alignment looks like instead of feeling what it is in their body. Holding proper alignment has to do with the balance of strength between muscle groups. Through this system each dancer will learn how to find their perfect alignment to set them up for success.
4. Balance
Balance is perfected with two things: Alignment and strength. Whether you’re a prima ballerina on pointe, or a contemporary dancer moving from one balance to another, you need to have jaw dropping balance. Dancers will not only have one on one time to learn more about what makes their body unique, but with the specialized Gyrotonic equipment and eye of the trainer, it will highlight any inconsistencies in their body that are preventing the best balance possible. And who doesn’t want better balance?!
5. Increase in Strength
Gone are the days of dancers looking “frail”. Dancers are stronger and more diverse movers then ever before. The problem with tradition strength and cross training for dancers, is it’s done in a static or two dimensional plane. Dancers need strength in the every aspect of movement. A Gyrotonic session is designed to strengthen the joint and muscles in its 3 dimensional realm, creating strength at every level of movement. It focuses on the importance of a “connected” body, meaning, your shoulder girdle and pelvis work together to achieve the perfect structural balance. With out both, it’s like trying to build a skyscraper without laying the foundation. Eventually it’s going to crumble.
6. No Gripping
“Gripping” the hip flexors and quads seems like the hardest habit to unlearn. With The Gyrotonic Method it simply and correctly teaches you to use the best muscle groups to lift your leg.
7. Breath Control
Not only does our breathing give our muscles oxygen to perform at the highest capability but also our breath enhances movements. Every dancer has been in a class and told to “breath” or “use your breath” but do you really know how to? Gyrotonic exercise uses different breaths to achieve the maximum strength, extension, and connection through the whole body. Instantly increasing your body’s capability.
8. Built for Dancers
This is the only system designed by a dancer, for a dancer. Julio Horvath was a professional dancer and suffered injuries that were not being fully helped by any specific training method. He decided to come up with his own that meshed best of all worlds together giving us what we have to day: The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®
You can find a Certified GYROTONIC® Instructor near you by visiting their website.
GYROTONIC®, GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, and GYROTONIC® & Logo are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and are used with their permission
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Allie Christensen
Allie Christensen is the owner of Align Fitness in Huntington Beach, CA. Her studio specializes in the health of dancers using The GYROTONIC® Method, Nutrition Coaching, and other Personal Training methods. Combining this with her experience as a professional dancer, she assists dancers from all over the US to reach their dancing goals.