When Wayzata resident Leesa Anderson talks about her Gyrokinesis classes with friends, she is often met with blank stares.
Although the Gyrokinesis Method is not as widely known as yoga or Pilates, Anderson doesn’t mind explaining it to curious friends—in fact, she is happy to spread the word about the workout that has made such a big impact on her life.
The Gyrokinesis Method is combination of different movements or stretches used to improve balance, awaken the body, strengthen the joints and provide mental clarity. “You feel as if you get a good workout without it being strenuous,” Anderson says. “I don’t come out of the class exhausted, I come out refreshed.” After taking her first three classes, Anderson saw a big impact in many areas of her life. She says, "Our kids are into wake surfing and wanted my husband and me to try it. I tried to get up on the board a few times before finally making it up.” And after she did, Anderson, who is in her 60s, expected to be sore, “but I wasn’t,” she says. “There was never any indication that I had done something I had never done before.” She attributes the flow to her Gyrokinesis practice.
“I absolutely love the movement—and my body loves it,” says certified Gyrokinesis instructor Pat Scherven, who teaches the class Anderson attends at the Lafayette Club in Wayzata. She describes the movements as “moves for the whole body. It’s more of a spiral movement—it starts from within and it’s great for someone with injuries or the aging body,” Scherven says.
The Gyrokinesis Method was created by Juliu Horvath, a professional dancer from Romania. “He had gotten hurt in dancing and he created this method to heal himself,” Scherven says. She describes Gyrokinesis as “yoga for dancers” but also notes the clear distinctions between the two types of movement. “Gyrokinesis incorporates a lot of movements from yoga and Pilates, but you are physically moving your body more, twisting more,” she says. “Yoga is more pose-y; [Gyrokinesis] is slower, rhythmic moves.”
Scherven first discovered the method 12 years ago after checking out the options at many health clubs around town. “It has certainly benefited my golf game, my skiing and my overall balance,” she says.
“The ages in our class really range,” says Anderson. “I wish I could have started it when I was younger.” Anderson recently used some of the moves from class during a layover at the airport. “After sitting for a long time, [doing the moves] gave me more circulation in my body,” she says. “And they don’t look too funny to do in public,” she says, laughing.
Scherven teaches at the Lafayette Club in Wayzata, Embody in Uptown and private lessons at her own studio in Wayzata. “If you’re interested, an intro class would be a great way to start,” she says.
