GYROTONIC® training is unique in many ways. One of the most unique, and IMHO best, differences about Gyrotonic training is the focus on all the ranges of motion of almost all the joints of the body. The muscles of the hips joints are strengthened in some way in every exercise system, but a focus on the rotational movement of the hips joints, with resistance, is truly unique.
I have a client with persistent low back pain. Our sessions are often "immediately corrective". In other words, how can I help her be out of pain this morning so she can have a better day. But in the long term her issue was not improving. I thought about parts of GYROTONIC® training I haven't used yet in our sessions and decided to practice the Sciatica Combination to see if I thought it could help. As I lay in the position for those exercises I thought "What else can be done here?"
Most of the exercises in the Hamstring Series are done while you'd laying on your back. But like on The Ladder, there are a few exercises when you're side lying. This allows you to move in multiple planes of motion at once.
This exercise works internal and external rotation of the hip joints. I've thought about this alot and while I am biased, I'm willing to say that no other exercise method specifically works with the rotations of the hip join anywhere near as thoroughly as GYROTONIC® training, especially internal rotation. In traditional fitness/strength/weight training it's pretty close to non-existent. External rotation will be specifically used in yoga, based on standing or sitting asanas but I don't know of any asanas that work the internal rotators. There may be a bit in pilates but I honestly can't say.