Gyrotonic®
Gyrotonic® is a movement system that combines circular, flowing motions with breath to improve mobility, strength, and coordination. It supports joint health, spinal movement, and overall body balance.
The Gyrotonic Method
The Gyrotonic Method, developed by Juliu Horvath, is a therapeutic movement system that utilizes specialized pulley-based equipment to facilitate three-dimensional, multiplanar joint mobilization and neuromuscular re-education.
Exercises are performed through controlled, circular and spiraling movement patterns that emphasize axial elongation, segmental spinal articulation, and coordinated breath mechanics. The equipment provides graded resistance and assistance, allowing for both decompression and strengthening within functional ranges of motion.
Clinically, the Gyrotonic Method:
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Promotes spinal decompression and improved intervertebral mobility
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Enhances joint stability through balanced muscular recruitment
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Improves proprioception and motor control
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Supports postural alignment and functional movement integration
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Can be modified for orthopedic, neurological, and post-rehabilitative populations
The system allows practitioners to tailor load, range, and tempo according to individual pathology, making it appropriate for clients with chronic pain, scoliosis, joint degeneration, post-surgical recovery, and movement dysfunction, while also serving high-level athletic conditioning.
Applications for Dancers
The Gyrotonic Method, created by former professional dancer Juliu Horvath, is an ideal cross-training system for young dancers who want to improve technique, build strength safely, and prevent injury.
As competitive dancers train intensely and repetitively, their growing bodies need balanced conditioning and joint protection. Gyrotonic uses smooth, circular, low-impact movements on specialized equipment to strengthen deep stabilizing muscles while improving flexibility and coordination. Unlike traditional conditioning, Gyrotonic develops strength through length and mobility, supporting turnout, extensions, jumps, and turns without over-tightening the body.
Benefits for Young Competitive Dancers:
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Improves safe, supported turnout
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Strengthens core and hip stability for jumps and multiple turns
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Enhances spinal mobility for fluid port de bras and back extension
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Builds balanced strength to prevent overuse injuries
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Increases body awareness and control
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Supports recovery between competitions and rehearsals
For young dancers in intense training schedules, Gyrotonic helps create longevity, teaching them how to move efficiently, protect their joints, and develop power without strain.
Gyrotonic Applications for Golf
Gyrotonic equips trainers with a powerful system to support clients who need improved rotational mobility, spinal strength, and joint resilience—key components for golf performance. Its multi-directional, circular movement patterns mirror the golf swing, giving trainers practical tools to enhance movement efficiency, reduce injury risk, and support long-term performance.
Together, Jean Staven and Jeanie Rasmussen co-teach Gyrotonic® Applications for Golf, combining decades of movement expertise and on-course experience to help golfers and trainers elevate performance from the inside out.
Developed by Jeanie Rasmussen and her husband David—a former PGA Tour teaching professional—in collaboration with Gyrotonic® creator Juliu Horvath, Gyrotonic® Applications for Golf has been taught for over 21 years. Following David’s passing, Jeanie began partnering with Jean Staven, who now co-teaches the course and helps carry their shared vision forward.