Master Trainer Shevi Baruch helping patients with range of injuries
With more fitness programs and classes available than ever, it’s a challenge to decide which one to choose at the Santa Monica Based Body Rhythm Gyrotonic® studio. The Gyrotonic® method is an original and unique form of exercise that simultaneously stretches and strengthens the body with minimal effort, while increasing range of motion, creating space in the joints, and strengthening the muscles around the bones. While clients are drawn to Gyrotonic®, for different reasons, they all experience vast improvements to their overall physical abilities.
Body Rhythm studio offers numerous group-classes each week as well as private sessions. We sat down with Master Trainer Shevi Baruch and three of her clients to discuss the Gyrotonic method and how it helps with different body issues and injuries.
“The most important thing is for the teacher to be able to clearly and simply explain each of the movements in Gyrotonic and for the client to be aware of the difference and impression each has on their bodies ” says Baruch. Once this is accomplished, a client can quickly move from a one-on-one private session into group sessions.
Shevi and her team of teachers are known for their detailed teaching style. Highly educated in rehabilitation, they emphasize both the physical and metaphysical aspects of the Gyrotonic method and how it addresses the entire person. Body Rhythm clients find and own the new discovery and are able to bring this knowledge outside of their workouts and into their daily activities. “The beauty in teaching Gyrotonic is that I can teach with precision and still have a fluid motion, like dance, swimming or tai chi,” adds Baruch.
Anne, a costume designer, experienced unexplained sciatica and piriformis pain that would strike at any moment before she began Gyrotonic nine years ago. She began taking private sessions and soon after started group classes. She immediately saw improvements in her everyday life, but specifically skiing.
“I let it go for a few years, did Gyrotonic, returned to skiing, and I am a better skier now in my 40’s than I was competing in my 20’s,” Anne continued. “I feel it has enabled me to age through my 40s with more discoveries, expansion, range and skills in my other sports than I never thought possible.” With a tight and ever changing schedule at work she is able to sign into a class a few hours before class begin. “What I learn in my classes with Shevi goes on to life carrying my own power to heal and transform myself”.
Mariya, finds that small group classes that are of equal level makes the classes very efficient. She takes 3-4 classes a week. “The teachers are always tuned to direct and correct each one of us while we go through a whole body workout”. Mariya, who also suffered shoulder issues after years of tennis, began to see improvements with her yoga practice where she previously struggled with upside-down postures, strengthening exercises, planks and anything relating to shoulder mobility.
Longtime client, Karen, 70’s, began Gyrotonic over 10 years ago. She trains 4 days a week riding bicycle for 3 miles. After a knee injury, she continued her regular group classes and now she can practice as usual, with full range of motion and without any lingering pain. “Coming to Body Rhythm, where Shevi and her teachers are trained in rehabilitation, they are always able to make it better while doing a full body workout. And I found that it was wonderful for me to be able to stretch and open out areas, not that I was having any major problems, but I could feel certain stiffness.”
Karen found the biggest change in her a posture. “It is so much better. I never thought that I would want to do any kind of exercise, and I look forward to coming in for this class.”
For more information about Body Rhythm Pilates & Gyrotonic call (310) 255-1177 visit TheBodyRhythm.com, follow them on Facebook and Twitter or visit them at 2114 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica CA, 90403
