An except from my MFA Thesis for my degree in Dance Science from the University of California, Irvine:
"The Gyrotonic Expansion System® was conceptualized and put into practice by Juliu Horvath, a Hungarian who was born on January 12, 1942 and raised in Romania. Horvath pursued a career as a ballet dancer and performed with the Romanian State Opera, New York City Opera, Radio City Music Hall, and Houston Ballet. While dancing with Houston Ballet in 1976, Horvath’s career came to a halt when he ruptured his Achilles tendon. Horvath experimented with Kundalini Yoga, meditation practices, and developed his own form of acupuncture using himself as a “test person” in order to rehabilitate from his injury. As Horvath was studying Yoga he began to formulate ideas for a machine that could prevent injuries and rehabilitate dancers. With visions of this apparatus in mind- what would one day be called a Gyrotonic® machine-Horvath developed Gyrokinesis®. Gyrokinesis® is a conditioning method that consists of fluid spherical movements that are designed to stretch and strengthen the body without using any weight resistance. Because Horvath had a background in gymnastics, swimming, ballet, and yoga the Gyrotonic Expansion System® reflects many of the movements used in those disciplines. Horvath began teaching his method in New York in an unspecified location in Central Park and then later to dancers at Steps on Broadway, a renowned New York dance studio. According to Muenstenkotter, at this time Horvath began developing his first apparatus in a dressing room in the White Cloud Studio. Since the 1980’s it has been utilized by athletes, pre-professional and professional dancers, and others who wish to improve their health and/or rehabilitate from injuries. According to the Gyrotonic® website, the Gyrotonic Expansion System®, a term that collectively refers to both Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis®, now has a presence in rehabilitation centers, dance studios, sports training and fitness facilities all over the world. The Gyrotonic Expansion System® consists of two closely related systems of movement known as Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis®. Gyrotonic® is a system of movement that simultaneously stretches and strengthens the body using an apparatus that was specifically designed for it called the Gyrotonic® machine. Gyrokinesis® is a floor work class involving fluid spherical movements that are designed to simultaneously stretch and strengthen the body without using any outside weight resistance. Gyrokinesis® was the foundation for Gyrotonic®; therefore both of these systems of movement use much of the same vocabulary, and share a conceptual and philosophical framework. A Gyrokinesis® class is taught to a group of students by a certified Gyrokinesis® instructor. The equipment in this case is a Gyrokinesis® stool and mat. Within each class the instructor faces the students and leads them to mirror his/her movements. The stool is used for the following movement series: beginning, spinal motion, arm chest release, wave, and leg-hip. The mat is used for these movement series: standing, cat back, connecting, hip-knee mobilization, arches/back strengthening, abdominal, and ending. During a Gyrokinesis® class the trainer gives verbal cues, assists and guides students through movements and stretches, and helps the student achieve proper body alignment."
