One of the things that makes GYROTONIC® training a nearly limitless exercise system are the creative variations. With few exceptions, every upper body exercise on the Pulley Tower is first done seated. The side seated side bend is a staple of the Handle Series. Now get up on your feet and add a sumo squat!
In GYROTONIC® Training, each family of exercises has a focus. For the Handle Series, the primary focus is the spinal ranges of motion. But there are also many opportunities in each family to branch out, to multitask, so to speak. This variation on stirring adds in hip opening for both the anterior and posterior hip.
If you’ve done yoga you’re almost assuredly familiar with the pigeon pose. It’s a great hip opener, the front (bent) leg gets the opening of the posterior hip (the glutes and piriformis) and the back (straight-ish) leg get the opening of the front of the hip (both the joint capsule itself and the hip flexors). This position on the bench puts you in a modified pigeon pose, getting those same benefits while moving through an undulating spine.
Some exercises have cool names, like Dolphin, Waterfall or Cabbage Patch. The names of other exercises are simply the motions you do in the exercise. This exercise should have a cooler name.
1 Arm Spiral Facing Away is graceful and complex and, as usual, it feels great.
Single Spiral from the Handle Series is a fundamental exercise in the system. I’m sure the overwhelming majority of sessions I’ve taught, I’ve used Single Spiral.
Spirals are one of the 7 Primal Movements, which are movements we develop naturally as babies. It’s the second primal movement. Once you can get yourself sitting on your baby butt, you start turning around.