Over the course of our lives we develop patterns of movement when walking, running, driving, sitting, painting, swinging golf clubs, etc. that can be inefficient and unhealthy for us in the long term. As a result of these inefficient patterns, our bodies develop muscular imbalances that can, and often do, lead to chronic pain or injury.
Pilates, originally called "contrology" by its inventor Joseph Pilates, is a system of exercise that addresses just these sorts of inefficient patterns, muscular imbalances and the pain and injuries that can result. Thoughtful execution of each exercise develops bodily awareness that aids in muscular re-patterning for greater movement efficiency. This means six to eight thoughtful repetitions of a particular Pilates exercise will give you the same – or, let's be honest, better – results than what could take 150 mindless repetitions of a similar exercise. It also means walking, running and doing virtually everything with greater ease and less risk of injury.
Pilates' emphasis on spinal, pelvic and shoulder girdle stabilization during each exercise strengthens associated core muscles – the abdominals and muscles close to the spine – to improve muscle tone, balance and coordination. Many traditional forms of exercise only weaken already weak muscles and strengthen already strong muscles. Pilates is unique because its focus on proper alignment, slow and fluid execution of each exercise and coordinated breathing facilitates engagement of target muscle groups. This serves to strengthen weaker muscles and lengthen and stretch shorter, stronger (and normally tighter) muscles. Pilates practice can actually restore structural balance to the body, which translates to less pain and risk of injury, better posture and a trimmer physique.
We teach all 55-minute private and group class Pilates sessions on the Pilates Reformer. This spring-loaded equipment permits smooth, low-impact movement with fully adjustable resistance. Joseph Pilates designed the first Reformer to rehabilitate injured patients and over the years not much has changed in its fundamental design. Multiple variations and modifications for each exercise make Pilates an excellent workout for everyone from highly conditioned athletes and dancers looking to improve performance to physical therapy patients seeking a safe way to get exercise while supplementing rehabilitation.
Kinesphere offers private and duet Pilates instruction by appointment and group classes in Pilates according to schedule.
Much of life requires we follow a routine of some sort, and our jobs – rewarding as they may be – often have us sitting in the same position for long periods of time, at a desk or in a driver's seat. Yet our bodies and our minds, with their incredible potential, demand other kinds of stimulation. For optimum health, our bodies – and our minds – need to move.
GYROTONIC® exercise is an invitation to explore and empower your mind and body through movement. In a 55-minute session, you rejuvenate your spine by moving it through six basic spinal motions; you arch and curl, spiral right and left and curl laterally to both sides. You create space, strength and mobility in your knees and hip joints by doing exercises with names like "Frog," "Lobster," "Bicycle" and, well… "Hip and Knee Mobilization." You stretch and strengthen your shoulders and chest with exercises like "Turtle," "Harvesting," "Backstroke" and "Eagle." You do exercises specifically for the abdominals and internal organs while connecting all movement to special breathing patterns to ensure proper oxygenation of your entire anatomy.
The Professional Pulley Tower is the main piece of GYROTONIC® equipment. Juliu Horvath, GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® inventor, designed this piece of equipment to provide adjustable yet constant and supportive resistance without restricting range of motion. The result is a sensation of buoyancy and the freedom to move three-dimensionally, fluidly and with utter ease. The pulley tower's adjustability allows customization of each workout for every body type and level of strength. While athletes and dancers can enjoy it, GYROTONIC® exercise is often an excellent compliment to rehab or physical therapy for those with disabilities or injuries. It is especially beneficial to those with spinal conditions such as scoliosis and slipped or herniated discs.
During GYROTONIC® exercise, stabilization happens through contrast: strength and stability are at the point of initiation of two opposing forces, and the center of gravity reflects centripetal and centrifugal or explosive and implosive activity at the same time. A single GYROTONIC® session will stretch, refresh and invigorate you. Consistent practice will result in a longer, leaner appearance, a healthier spine, healthier joints, improved balance and a feeling of enhanced overall health and well-being. While one’s physical condition improves with GYROTONIC® training, the main focus is actually on the muscle of intelligence, intuition and perception. This unique exercise system aims to create a balanced physical, mental and emotional state through the use of right intention; its benefits are total.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of all is that GYROTONIC® exercise encourages you to feel at home in your own body, unrestricted and uninhibited, to be one with the nature of your self, to be total and fulfilled.
Kinesphere offers private, duet, and trio GYROTONIC® sessions by appointment.
Juliu Horvath invented GYROKINESIS® methodology after years of dealing with injuries and chronic illness led him to search for cures through extensive self-exploration and study of different movement and healing modalities. As a result, this unique movement system offers the same benefits as yoga, dance, gymnastics and tai chi for an exercising experience that works – and can even heal – the entire body, inside and out.
When doing GYROKINESIS® movements, one doesn’t hold postures for any length of time but fluidly passes through them, giving the sensation of a dance rather than a series of static poses. The exercise consists of rhythmic motions that systematically articulate the spine and joints through seven basic motions: forward, backward, left side, right side, left twist, right twist and circular.
GYROKINESIS® classes begin with a self-massage and simple breathing patterns to awaken the senses and warm up the body. Seated on low stools, students follow the self-massage with rhythmic, undulating movements of the spine and pelvis, stimulating the nervous system and massaging the internal organs. Basic forward, backward, twisting and turning motions are then applied to other parts of the body to release the ankles, knees, hips, hamstrings, quadriceps, etc. Additional, equally rhythmic and undulating positions are done laying, kneeling and standing.
Connecting movement to special breathing patterns stimulates the nervous system, opens energy pathways and oxygenates the blood. While GYROKINESIS® methodology is a movement system designed with rehabilitation in mind, it is highly adaptable for every skill level and is excellent for beginners and experienced movement practitioners alike.
Kinesphere’s GYROKINESIS® classes are 75 minutes long. Regular once-a-week practice of this exciting new method will re-educate the body to move in a fluid manner that is at once powerful and relaxed.
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