GYROTONIC Solana Beach welcomes all ages and abilities

After a career-ending injury, former professional ice skater Victoria Bilyeu turned to the GYROTONIC Method for help.

Through the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM, the San Diego native was able to rehabilitate her injury without surgery. Since then, Bilyeu has helped share the benefits of the GYROTONIC Method with others, now through her Solana Beach studio.

“Through my journey I have found GYROTONIC to be the only modality out there that makes your body better with age or time spent,” said Bilyeu, owner of GYROTONIC Solana Beach. “True Restorative strengthening movement patterns. The bonus is body acceptance and presence.”

Created by Romanian-born Hungarian Juliu Horvath, the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM is a holistic approach to movement that is designed to meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities. Whether healthy or recovering from illness or injury, GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS exercises help people gain increased strength and flexibility, renewed energy, and a general sense of calm and well being, according to the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM website.

The GYROTONIC Method utilizes specially-designed exercise equipment to accommodate the natural movement patterns of the human body, while the GYROKINESIS Method consists of chair and floor exercises. Both incorporate key principles also found in Yoga, Tai Chi, gymnastics and dance.

“GYROTONIC is based on creating restorative movement in all the joints,” said Bilyeu, pointing to the Pulley Tower, just one of the award-winning machines available at her studio that she noted is the only weighted machine that gives users resistance training in 360 degrees for every joint.

Each piece of specialized equipment has its own unique features and functions, providing an extensive range of exercise options.

“From the first session on, you feel a difference,” said Loretta Morris, who has been working with Bilyeu for more than three years. “It just gets better.”

Morris has lived with chronic pain most of her life. She has had knee surgery and neck surgery, and, recently, has been recovering from an ankle injury.

“I have 90 percent less pain because my core strength is strong and my big muscles are working to do what they’re supposed to be doing to alleviate the joints,” Morris said. “It’s a whole body thing so that everything works in unison and properly — the way it’s supposed to.”

Bilyeu has worked in the health and fitness industry for more than two decades. She previously served as a master Pilates instructor and figure skating instructor and coach in Colorado.

Bilyeu discovered the benefits of the GYROTONIC Method by taking a class after her career-ending ice skating injury. Through her work with the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM, she was able to correct her femur bone without surgery.

“From one day to the next, it changed,” Bilyeu said.

A certified GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS teacher-trainer, Bilyeu has been teaching the GYROTONIC Method since 2008. She previously worked with Olympic ice skaters, dancers, athletes and everyday individuals at her GYROTONIC studio in Colorado for more than seven years before returning to San Diego in 2013 and opening her Solana Beach studio.

GYROTONIC Solana Beach is located at 444 South Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach. Bilyeu offers individual personalized sessions, multi-client sessions and GYROKINESIS classes.

“This is a journey and it’s a life journey,” Bilyeu said. “Usually when people are introduced to this, they stick with it.”

For more about GYROTONIC Solana Beach, call 858-354-4781, email info@gyrotonicsolanabeach.com or visit gyrotonicsolanabeach.com.

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