| Yoga teaches the universal principles for physical and mental health as well as spiritual growth. |
| |
| Asanas
(the poses) |
| Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with time. This is because the Yoga Asana(or posture) is meant to be held for some time. However this is quite an advanced practice. Initially, our concern is simply to increase body flexibility. |
| |
| Pranayama
(proper breathing) |
| Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity. The Yogic physical exercises are called Asanas, a term which means steady pose. There are three basic types of breathing. By far the most important thing about good breathing is the Prana, or subtle energy of the vital breath. Control of the Prana leads to control of the mind. Breathing exercises are called Pranayamas, which means to control the Prana. |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
1. Clavicular breathing is the most shallow and worst possible type. The shoulders and collarbone are raised while the abdomen is contracted during inhalation. Maximum effort is made, but a minimum amount of air is obtained. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
2. Thoracic breathing is done with the rib muscles expanding the rib cage, and is the second type of incomplete breathing. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
3. Deep abdominal breathing is the best, for it brings air to the lowest and largest part of the lungs. Breathing is slow and deep, and proper use is made of the diaphragm. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| Savasana
(relaxation) |
| Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones, computers, freeways and other modern triggers of stress, the Rishis (sages or seers) and Yogis of yore devised very powerful techniques of deep relaxation. As a matter of fact, many modern stress-management and relaxation methods borrow heavily from this tradition. By relaxing deeply all the muscles the Yogi can thoroughly rejuvenate his nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace. |
| |
| When the body and the mind are constantly overworked, their natural efficiency to perform work diminishes. Modern social life, food, work and even the so-called entertainment, such as disco dancing, make it difficult for modern people to relax. Many have even forgotten that rest and relaxation are nature's way of recharging. Even while trying to rest, the average person expends a lot of physical and mental energy through tension. Much of the body's energy is wasted uselessly. |
| |
| It may be remembered that in the course of one day, our body usually produce all the substances and energy necessary for the next day. But it often happens that all these substances and energy may be consumed within a few minutes by bad moods, anger, injury or intense irritation. The process of eruption and repression of violent emotions often grows into a regular habit. The result is disastrous, not only for the body, but also for the mind. |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
1.
Physical
Relaxation
|
|
| |
We know that every action is the result of thought. Thoughts take form in action, the body reaching to the thought. Just as the mind may send a message to the muscles ordering them to contract, the mind may also send another message to bring the relaxation to the tired muscles. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
2.
Mental
Relaxation |
|
| |
When experiencing mental tension, it is advisable to breathe slowly and rhythmically for a few minutes. Soon the mind will become calm. You may experience a kind of floating sensation. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
3.
Spiritual
Relaxation |
|
| |
However one may try to relax the mind, all tensions and worries cannot be completely removed until one reaches spiritual relaxation. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| As long as a person identifies with the body and the mind, there will be worries, sorrows, anxieties, fear and anger. These emotions, in turn bring tension. Yogis know that unless a person can withdraw from the body/mind idea and separate himself from the ego-consciousness, there is no way of obtaining complete relaxation. |
| |
| The yogi identifies himself with the all pervading, all-powerful, all-peaceful and joyful self, or pure consciousness within. He knows that the source of all power, knowledge, peace and strength is in the self, not in the body. |
|
|
|
|
|
Gyrotonic™
The
Art of Exercising and Beyond™ |
|
|
Benefits |
- Sculpt Your Body
- Reduce Stress
- Increase Energy
- Improve Posture
- Lose Weight
- Increase Flexibility and Range of Motion
- Improve Your Immune System
|
|
|
|
Getting Started
|
| Gyrotonic™ |
| "The
Next Big Thing" |
| This is a three dimensional system of exercise which is a perfect complement to the Pilates Method. |
| |
| The
Gyrotonic™
Expansion System® is a method of movement derived from Kundalini Yoga, dance, swimming and gymnastics. This complete system of movement originates from the spine and follows the natural energy lines in the body to build internal and external strength. The exercises are performed in undulating, |
|
 |
| spiral and circular movements that help to release stiffness and increases range of motion in the joints while strengthening musculature and ligament connections. |
|
| |
| The
Gyrotonic™
Expansion System® method's use of flowing circular patterns, focused rhythmical breathing and proper body mechanics can awaken the total nervous system, stimulate and massage internal organs and revitalize the client's energy. |
| |
| What
is Gyrotonic™? |
| Pilates is about stabilization.
Gyrotonic™ begins with stabilization and goes beyond.
Gyrotonics™
has been described as "yoga with resistance." |
| |
A three-dimensional system of exercise.
…..a perfect complement to the practice of the Pilates Method by a seasoned Pilates student. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
gyrotonic...
derived from the Greek word for spiral. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Gyrotonics™...
movement regime performed on the
Gyrotonic Expansion System® that increases the range of motion in the joints while strengthening musculature and ligament connections. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Gyrokinesis...The study of spiraling movement that awakens the neuromuscular system. |
|
| |
|
|
|
See Gyrotonic™ Class Fees |
| |
|
|
| |
| Gyrokinesis™ |
| The Essentials of Body Kinetics™ |
| The system works the entire body through seven natural elements of spinal movement: forward, backward, left side, right side, left twist, right twist and circular, as well as all other joint articulation. This method systematically and gently works the joints and muscles through rhythmic and undulating exercises. The body's internal organs are stimulated by the movement and different corresponding breathing patterns are integrated. |
| |
| Fluidity
is the key. Postures are not held for long periods
of time. Instead, postures are smoothly &
harmoniously connected through the use of breath,
making exercises appear and feel more like dance
than traditional yoga. |
|
Getting Started
|
| |
| Gyrotonic™ is a relatively new form of movement and body conditioning developed by Juliu Horvath. Like the work of Joseph Pilates in its infancy, it has not yet become a household word and is just recently moving from the dance world into the mainstream. Taking from his extensive background in gymnastics, swimming, yoga and dance, Juliu has created a series of undulating spiral and circular movements, which exercise the musculature while mobilizing and articulating the joints. Coupled with specific breathing patterns, the movements release blockages and stimulate the nervous system while improving coordination and increasing both internal and external strength. |
| |
| The exercises begin in the sacral area of the spine and move through the body opening pathways of energy and developing strength and articulation in the joints. Each exercise moves uninterrupted through flexion and extension, contraction and expansion resulting in a balanced support system for the skeleton. Done with a rhythm and flow the body moves through the exercise patterns. One can work gently and restoratively or more vigorously and aerobically by varying speed and/or
intensity. The result is increased muscular strength, endurance, range of motion, coordination and balance. |
|
See Gyrokinesis™ Class Fees |
|
|
