Unlock Your Body’s True Potential with GYROKINESIS
This week, we sit down with Breathe Education Director and the Master of Mobility, Thicha to discuss the life-changing benefits that Mobility and Gyrokinesis classes can do for your body and mind.
Hi Thicha! As part of our virtual package, we have recently launched Mobility and Gyrokinesis classes taught by yourself and they have been really popular! Could you tell us a little more about them?
The Gyrokinesis Method is a movement method that addresses the entire body. It opens energy pathways and stimulates the nervous system whilst increasing range of motion, and creating functional strength through rhythmic, 3-dimensional flowing movement sequences.
My mobility classes apply a scientific approach to improve joint range of motion. I focus not only on increasing the range safely but also on maintaining the newly acquired range of motion for healthy joints.
Most people don’t know this but the mobility classes are unique and can’t be found anywhere else because they are created by you for Breathe! What motivated you to create the mobility class and could you share with us how you did it?
All of the movement and training techniques have been selected based on a meticulous and rigorous investigation of evidence in the latest research in anatomy and kinesiology, (e.g. fascia and nervous system) coupled with my own personal experience with classical ballet, pilates, yoga and gymnastics training.
I am currently 51 years old and have spent the last few decades of my life researching and learning from experts all around the world to find the methods that work best. I have put together my mobility classes using a mix of different methods amplified with my own research and experience. Mobility is a constantly evolving method, and I am always searching for new approaches to make doing an exercise possible for anyone.
I like to think I’m living proof that my method works! I am more than half a century old and can still do what most people can’t! Years of experience have taught me when to stop before injuries happen, when to push and when to back off.
What is mobility? How does it differ from flexibility?
Flexibility is the ability of a muscle to lengthen. Mobility on the other hand is the ability of a joint to move actively through a range of motion. Having control throughout our joints’ full range of motion helps enhance our body’s ability to function effectively, efficiently and with diminished risk of injury and pain. Flexibility is more passive, whereas mobility is an active state. You can be very flexible without having much control and thus lack mobility.
My classes are designed to develop maximum body control, flexibility and strength throughout the joints’ full range of motion, improving overall joint health and longevity.
Mobility to me is the ability to move freely without pain and for each person, their definition and goal for optimal mobility is unique.
For example, for a 60 year old lady who is not so active, her mobility goal is to remain pain free and able to carry on with her normal daily activities. Her “happy” range of motion will not be as extensive as someone who wishes to compete in gymnastics or run a marathon.
That sounds really interesting! Could you share with us what’s your favourite mobility exercise?
I have so many! I love different exercises depending on what my body needs or feel that particular day. The best way to experience what mobility training is and what it can do is to experience it in class yourself!
With my classes, I’ve formatted them into 3 types of focussed classes – spine, hips, shoulders. Depending on the attendees, I will focus on a certain part of a body e,g, spine, hips or shoulders only. In some classes I will combine two parts if I feel the participants need it.
Classes usually begin with a warm up which includes mobilizing all parts of the body in small Range Of Motion (ROM). Then we move on to the class focus – targeting that particular joint and spending time on that particular joint, working to expand the ROM.
With the exercises, you sometimes hold a position for a long time and while it may look like a passive stretch, I will guide you to fully engage the muscles surrounding that particular joint. The level of engagement will slowly increase from a low to higher intensity over time. Scientific studies have shown that improvements in flexibility and mobility are not necessarily structural changes in your body’s muscles or tendons, but rather an increased stretch tolerance caused by adaptations in our nervous system. Ramping up the intensity of the muscles allows the nervous system to catch up and increase better active control over the joint’s full range of motion.
Are mobility and GYROKINESIS classes suitable for beginners? How many classes do I need to take to see results?
Yes, it’s suitable for all levels because the exercises can be modified to suit everyone! I would recommend doing at least 2-3 classes a week consistently to see results.
