GyroKinesis Review and Turkey Sandwiches Galore!

Last night, Dori and I tried a new class called Cardio GyroKinesis at Kinespirit courtesy of Melissa.

I was not sure exactly what to expect so I checked the website for some information on the Gryokinesis class.

What is gyrokinesis® (mat format)?

Gyrokinesis upholds the same principles of Gyrotonic, but does so without the use of equipment. It is similar to a dance or yoga class, as it is taught in a group setting. Like a dance class, flow and rhythm are essential to the curriculum. But unlike a yoga class, there is no position holding or potential for energetic stagnation.

I walked in to the Madison Park studio and it was a small cute space with a desk, waiting area, and a bunch of Gyrotonic machines.

What is Gyrotonic?

a three-dimensional exercise taught on unique weight and pulley based equipment (pictured at right). Founded by Juliu Horvath, in the principles of yoga, dance, tai chi, and swimming, Gyrotonic training is a series of circular and fluid exercises that works the entire body through muscular, skeletal, and cardiovascular stimulation.

A teacher came over to Dori and I and told us she would be our instructor. The class included only one other girl besides Dori and I so it was kind of like a small group training session. The instructor gave us benches to start our exercises on.

Self-Massage

Class traditionally begins seated on a bench. The class prepares the mind and body for the movement ahead with an awakening of the senses through self-massage and simple breathing patterns.

Bench Work

In the seated position, the class moves through a series of fluid movements that mobilize the spine. These movements include arching, curling, bending, twisting and spiraling. The same patterns are expanded upon as the class leaves the benches and proceeds to floor work.

As we started flowing our arms in the beginning, I felt kind of weird. I guess I had no clue what to expect from the class and had never done arm movements like that before. It felt relaxing and different from what I am used to. We worked on posture, deep breathing, and curling of the spine.

We did some lunges and squats using the arm movements after we were done with the benches. We did swimming motions with our arms and other crazy flowing movements. The instructor told us to grab a mat for some floor work next.

Floor Work

Encompassing a variety of positions including kneeling, seated, and standing, the floor work releases and strengthens the entire body. Focus is on a variety of joint and muscle groups including hips, knees, hamstrings and abdominals.

Corresponding breathing patterns stimulate the nervous system, open energy pathways and oxygenate the blood.

We did some leg exercises while arching and lengthening the spine. We also flipped over and did slow ab movements that actually made my body shake.

Next we stood in a circle doing lunges and leg lifts several times in a row. This was probably the only time my heart rate really increased.

We ended the class with some final stretches and rapid blinking of the eyes. We were told to look around the room while blinking. I found this kind of weird and did not really understand the point.

Overall this class reminded me of yoga. It was a little too slow for my liking. The time did go by pretty quick but I have to admit I was very excited when I saw there was only 10 minutes left. I prefer faster paced and more challenging exercises. The class is supposed to have many benefits:

• Promotes spine and joint articulation and mobilization
• Increases muscular contraction, extension, flexibility, and coordination
• Increases circulation of blood, lymphatic fluids, and energy
• Improves elimination and absorption
• Compliments traditional cardiovascular activity and cross-training
• Provides a mobile workout that can be easily performed while at home, office, or traveling
• Increases body awareness

I guess it would be good to do every now and then but I would actually prefer Vinyasa yoga or regular pilates over this class. If I ever came back, I would love to try the Gyrotonic and pilates machines. I’d say the best thing about the class was the personal attention and small class size. It was relaxing and is always nice to try something new. I am glad I gave it a try.

I went home after the class and had a package waiting for me!

I won a Glee Gum giveaway from Jackson’s World! Thanks girl! I happen to be a gum addict but hate chewing artificial sweeteners so this was the perfect prize!

I decided to make something quick and easy for dinner. I received tons of bread from Rudy’s Bakery the other day so I wanted to use some! A turkey sandwich sounded good!

I pulled out Rudi’s 100% Whole Wheat Bread to try!

The bread was much more thick and soft than my usual bread.

I usually use Arnold’s 45 calorie whole wheat bread. Each slice of Rudy’s is 100 calories but the difference was very noticeable. The bread is twice the size of what I am used to. It also had wonderful ingredients:

Organic whole wheat flour, water, organic brown sugar, organic vital wheat gluten, organic cracked wheat, organic wheat bran, cultured whole wheat flour, organic high oleic sunflower and/or safflower oil, sea salt, organic oat flour, yeast, organic molasses, organic barley malt, vinegar, natural enzymes. CONTAINS: WHEAT

I added Boar’s Head Low Salt turkey, Boar’s Head Low Salt Ham, Alpine Lace White American, mustard, cucumbers, and lettuce.

I also had some popchips on the side!

Along with cucumbers and Cedar’s Spinach Artichoke hummus!

Delicious!

I spent the rest of the night watching TV and playing the lottery!

This has been my new obsession. I keep winning every day so I cash the tickets in for more. Last night I won $25 again so I will probably get more cards for tonight! My rule is to keep the money if I win over $50! One of these days….

This morning I had an amazing bowl of oatmeal!!!

• Kashi Honey Sunshine Oatmeal
• Bakery on Main Cranberry Maple Almond Granola
• Skim Milk
• Barney Butter

With a mug of Tazo Awake Tea.

That was seriously the perfect bowl of oatmeal!

I will do my lunch preview now because I may not have time to post this afternoon. I have to skip the gym at lunch because there is a meeting for our entire company at 12:30 that I would like to go to. Actually, I will be taking the entire day off from working out because I am going to a special Foodbuzz event after work! I get to leave here at 4:30 today

Lunch will be….another turkey and ham wrap!

I don’t think I will ever get sick of this lunch!

I brought some Mr. Krispers Sour Cream & Onion Baked Rice Krisps for the side.

I tried a few chips last night while packing my lunch and they were delicious!! This is my last bag of Mr. Krispers..so sad!

I just found out I won by 3rd giveaway and it involves PB & Co so I am in a great mood right now! I have been dying to try the Dark Chocolate Dreams forever! Yay!

Okay, I was about to go catch up on blogs but all of the sudden some are blocked!!! I am freaking out!! I have nothing else to do at work!! What will I do if my own blog is blocked one day! Aaah! This is very sad

I am going to go try to find some that are not blocked! Have a good day!

Related posts:

1. Biggest Loser Steamer Review and Salads Galore!
2. Rudy’s Organic Bakery Review and Giveaway!
3. Clif Bar and Newman’s Own Product Review with Some Lunch
4. The Body NYC: A Month in Review
5. Turkey and a Few Workouts!