What makes GYROTONIC® different from yoga?
Similarities
-Mind-body exercise modalities – meaning the exercise requires the brain
to be engaged and you will complete your session feeling relaxed and fulfilled due to having practiced mindfulness during your session.
-Low impact -safe for people with injuries
-Body weight* and mobility training – get stronger and more flexible
-Breath work
-Rhythm and flow
-Core strength and spine health
Differences
-Gyrotonic utilizes specialized equipment for resistance training. The strength an individual can build without resistance training equipment has limitations.
Yoga instructors may incorporate bands and small hand weights, but yoga practice does not include resistance training machines.*
-In gyrotonic exercise, an individual will work the entire body on all planes of movement. Yoga, due to the absence of equipment, has a lot of pushing and not as much pulling motions. This is something to note due to the effect on postural health. If an individual does a lot of yoga without doing pulling, such as rows and rotator cuff strengthening, they will get tight muscles across the chest and shoulders. This encourages kyphosis in the spine and forward head posture. Kyphosis occurs through poor posture, use of technology (phones and computers), sedentary lifestyle, and natural effects of aging. For ideal posture and shoulder health we want to mitigate this effect.
-Gyrotonic is composed of dynamic stretching. Meaning the stretch occurs during the strength training. This is beneficial because the attachments of the muscles and the smaller muscles around the joints become stronger. So you build flexibility and deep, stable strength in your muscles and joints. Yoga consists of mostly static stretching, meaning stretching and holding.
Can I do both?
Of course! Your Gyrotonic practice will enhance your yoga practice and your yoga practice will enhance your Gyrotonic practice.
Which one should I do if I only have the resources for one or the other?
Well, if I had to choose I would do Gyrotonic because you get all the same benefits, plus more…see differences above.
