Pilates

Pilates is a system of body conditioning designed to develop strength and flexibility through the use of over 500 exercises designed by Joseph Pilates, derived from the principles of yoga, Zen, and the ancient Greek and Roman fitness regimens. Pilates called his system "Contrology" because its entire purpose is the development of body control. Physical control is developed by reinforcing the body's center through precise, concentrated, flowing movements done while breathing slowly and deeply. The method uses apparatus specifically designed by Pilates to center and strengthen the body as a whole.

Pilates exercises are low impact, using the abdominal wall as the source of strength for the entire body, and ideal for injury prevention and rehabilitation. Pilates improves posture, increases circulation and reduces stress by focusing the mind and the body to work together for total fitness. The end result is defined muscle tone without the bulk of traditional weight training programs, along with increased flexibility.

"Not all Pilates is the same."

body central is dedicated to the health of each client, and provides the highest quality of instruction from certified trainers. Our Pilates instructors have been trained by Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska, the direct successor and protégé of Joseph Pilates, and/or the teacher trainers under her guidance. Each instructor has successfully completed a rigorous 600 hour apprenticeship in which they have learned to modify the exercises to fit any body type, condition, and injury from herniated discs to a broken foot. body central is proud to be affiliated with “Romana’s Pilates”, the leading certification program throughout the world, and is dedicated to preserving this method of Pilates training to it’s purest form, the way Joseph Pilates intended it.

GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®

The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® was created by Juliu Horvath, a dancer and athlete.  He danced from 1961-1978 including lead performances at the Timisoara Opera, New York City Opera, Radio City Music Hall and the Houston Ballet.  His dance career was halted when Horvath suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and major spine injury.  Yearning to rehabilitate his body and make this injury resistance and strength accessible for dancers, he began to develop what is now known as the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methodology.

At body central, our GYROTONIC® sessions are given utilizing our pulley tower and the jumping stretching board.  Both pieces of equipment have been designed by Juliu Horvath and made to his specifications.  These beautiful machines are created to take the body through a full range of motion with consistent resistance, real sports simulation and low to no impact on the joints. The movements are performed in a three-dimensional, circular way, utilizing balanced recruitment of the body’s muscle groups resulting in an increased functional strength and freedom of motion. This is in contrast to most conventional exercise where isolated, linear contractions are emphasized creating uncoordinated strength.  Attention is given to increase the flexibility of the spine and joints as well as strengthening the supporting muscles to result in a lengthened, injury resistant body.  Breathing patterns are incorporated to deepen muscular engagement, stimulate the cardio-vascular system and boost endurance. 

Our GYROKINESIS® classes are the group version of this type of movement without the machines.

The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is excellent for all levels of fitness, including sports specific training, body re-shaping, combating age or injury related limitations in mobility, developing coordination, increasing flexibility and building overall strength throughout the body.

Juliu Horvath currently teaches world wide and is able to dance again!  He oversees the educational process of all GYROTONIC® instructors.  In addition to their initial certification process, our teachers are involved in various forms of continuing education including training in therapeutic GYROTONIC® work for rehabilitation and sports skill enhancement training.