How the Gyrotonic Method Enhances Dance Performance

Gyrotonic [Exercise] has been the perfect addition in my training and performance as a dancer after battling with injuries for years and trying different kinds of crosstraining. Gyrotonic[Exercise] helped me understand where my movement starts and what parts of my body should be working less (with less tension) and which ones I was ignoring. Every Gyrotonic session gives me valuable information about my body, but also makes me trust it more. The body knows how to work efficiently if we listen to it and follow the nature of the movement, Gyrotonic[Exercise] is the perfect way to reconnect and strengthen your body.

– Maria, Ballet/ Contemporary Dancer, Pilates Instructor

What’s generally needed to enhance dance performance?

Technical ability/understanding

Healthy psychological levels

Neuromuscular coordination

Imagery skills

Musicality/Rhythm

Artistry/Expression

Athleticism

A sense of playfulness

What does the GYROTONIC® Method focus on?

• Neuromuscular coordination

• Breathing patterns for optimal expansion and contraction

• Maintaining less effort for more power and increased flexibility

• Postural and movement alignment

• Movement intention

• Relating movement to everyday things, places, and objects

• Whole body awareness

• Mind-body connection

• Rhythm and playfulness

How does the GYROTONIC® Method enhance dance performance?

• Firstly, the method’s movement intention and philosophy is parallel, if not the same, to dance training and most movement.

• The body is viewed as a functional instrument that is beyond aesthetics.

• You have to accept and be honest with your own anatomical make up and eliminate the need to imitate someone else’s (e.g. flexibility, turnout).

• It improves both postural alignment and alignment during movement by increasing awareness.

• It emphasizes using necessary effort to avoid working ‘too hard’, mentally and physically.

• Thus, it helps the body to exert an effective amount of energy for longer lasting power.

• It helps to overcome old habits that previously increased injuries, aches and pains, even mental barriers.

• It helps one to take risks safely, explore movements fully, oh, and HAVE FUN!

A dancers’ performance skills could be broken down even further to elements such as self-esteem, cognitive learning, goal setting, fitness, and dieting. While performance enhancement needs further research within the Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis community, let alone the dance community, this barrier could be broken by reporting more experiences, more case studies, and relate findings to existing movement and sports research.

Read up:

Beyond Physical Practice

Dancers as Athletes

Dance Fitness

Dance Science and the Dance Technique Class

Gyrokinesis

Gyrotonic