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Peter
Larkins | The Appalachian |
| Marianne Adams
instructs students on a workout that was originally
called "Yoga for Dancers." |
by Alison Fosbenner
Intern Writer
One of Appalachian State University’s own dance professors
has taken a scholarly leave this spring semester to become
a student again and study a new form of exercise.
Marianne Adams, a choreographer and professor of dance, is
currently taking a step into a new bodywork method called
Gyrokinesis, which was developed by Julio Horvath.
“It’s a wonderful thing that the university does
once you’ve been working a long time,” Adams said.
“I feel very fortunate to do this.”
Adams said becoming a student again is humbling. She is able
to learn new content, but she said she feels that it can be
frustrating and overwhelming at times.
Adams said gyrokinesis helps develop the core body strength,
while at the same time uses motions of spiraling and stretching.
To make a comparison, Gyrokinesis involves similar principles
to that of yoga, dance, gymnastics and tai-chi.
“I love the flow of the spine that Gyrokinesis uses,”
Appalachian State modern dance instructor Holly Roark said.
“It breaks up the rigidity.”
Gyrokinesis exercises all parts of the body.
“Once you move deeper into the workout, it begins to
work arms, legs and abdominals,” Roark said.
The method was originally called “Yoga For Dancers,”
and it was in a simpler format. Adams, who has been involved
in dance for about 30 years, studied “Yoga For Dancers”
years ago in New York City.
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Peter
Larkins | The Appalachian |
| Adams leads a gyrokinesis
course after a three-month certification. |
Learning new methods is nothing new for Adams, as she has
learned more than 20 new forms throughout her career.
“That’s what I love to do,” Adams said.
“The university has supported me with the capacity to
learn something new and integrate it into the curriculum.”
The entire certification process takes three months.
Adams spent some time in New York City at the Appalachian
Loft and began her study.
Now, as an apprentice she is required to teach a minimum of
25 classes.
“It’s an interesting apprentice process, because
you’re on your own,” Adams said. “At first
it felt vulnerable.”
“For someone who works out regularly it is a good switch,”
junior marketing major and modern dance student Randi Moore
said. “The flexibility helps work the core rather than
the use of weights and cardio.”
Moore makes a distinction between yoga and Gyrokinesis.
“This is more than yoga, because with yoga you hold
poses,” Moore said. “This is not as exact as yoga
is. The poses move into stretches.”
Adams will fly to Seattle, Wash., in the first week of March
for an examination workshop where she will meet Gyrokinesis
creator Julio Horvath.
Once Adams becomes certified, she hopes that Gyrokinesis will
become a dance course here at Appalachian State.
“That is certainly my intention. I don’t think
we’ll be able to do it for the fall,” Adams said.
“But I hope and think it will happen in the spring.”
She hopes to learn the next element of this method, called
Gyrotonic, which uses a machine for the exercise.
For more information, visit www.gyrotonic.com.
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