My Movement Blog

“The technique of a dancer should be seen in the way she walks on stage.  The way he works through his feet as he chassés. The way the shoulders pull down through the back muscles, elongating the neck. The energy exchange between the dancer and the dance floor to create a stable foundation.  The slight wing of the ankle in derrière. A coupé turned out from the hip.  A tailbone positioned toward the floor in plié.  An open chest coupled with a closed rib cage.  A great technician is even allowed to “throw away” some of this technique in moments of artistic choice because they know just how to use that technique to thread into and out of those moments seamlessly.

Tricks, on the other hand, are an act that take place within a dance – usually a skill that is deemed difficult or given worth through the technique it takes to execute it well.  Things like jumps, turns, tumbling, and extensions can be found in this category.  When done WITH great technique – tricks can certainly have their place in a routine… but the lack of “tricks” in a dance certainly does not imply lack of technique.”

What is GYROTONIC®

The GYROTONIC® Method is a unique and complete movement method that works the body holistically: it opens energy pathways, stimulates the nervous system/acupuncture points, builds stamina, improves balance, strength, flexibility, and movement efficiency. By promoting the decompression and articulation of joints as well as encouraging constant motion from the core coordinated with breathing methods, it helps to prevent stagnation in the body, reduce back pain/shoulder aches, and improve posture. The movement method is adaptable to all body types and levels of experience; it can be used to train athletes, dancers and other movement professionals, as well as be used as rehabilitative movement therapy for individuals suffering from scoliosis, injuries etc. 

GYROKINESIS®The GYROKINESIS® Method is a movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion and creating functional strength through rhythmic, flowing movement sequences. It is an original and unique method, which coordinates movement, breath and mental focus.

This video gives a great overview of the GYROTONIC® Method. Within the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® created by Juliu Horvath, there are two distinct methods of practice: the GYROTONIC® Method and the GYROKINESIS® Method. 

Some of my favourite takeaways:

“..it can accommodate anybody from any field, in any walk of life ..the idea with Gyrotonic is to create space throughout your entire body ..it can strengthen your movement, not just a muscle, but your body's ability to move holistically ..the use of springs and weights provides a sophisticated resistance that gives a kind of buoyancy that's much more HUMAN”

The term Contact Improvisation is used so loosely nowadays in the dance scene (perhaps not just in Singapore), anything that has body contact and is done spontaneously or without much premeditation seems to be conveniently tossed into the basket of Contact Improvisation. Or perhaps some want to hop onto the Contact Improvisation bandwagon, wanting to partake in some of it. 

Choreography of fluid as it's moving through the connective tissue called bone. The movements of undulations, arcs, spirals, increase the vibrancy and potency of the fluid, and is a tremendous source of healing.

A great reminder that our bodies are fluid! The average adult human is composed of about 60% water. This includes water outside of cells and water found in cells. Even our bones are watery and made up of about 31% water!