Grace Somatomorphic Technique

Grace Somatomorphic Technique, commonly referred to as GST, is a movement system that is used primarily for physical fitness, as well as for rehabilitation and prenatal exercise.

GST was created by fitness instructor, dancer and actress Anna Rahe, who runs a studio in Hollywood, CA. There are also online instructional videos and an officially published DVD, Intro to GST, for those located outside of the Los Angeles area to experience and learn GST.

Kath Duncan wrote that GST provided the "best aspects of barre classes, Pilates, yoga, plyometrics, strength training, cardio, dance and stretching (aka the best of everything)." Writing in Harper's Bazaar, Wendy Schmid described the technique as having "delivered for my back, backside, and beyond."

An integral compenent of the GST system is based on Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. The Vitruvian Man is considered the ideal "body map" for efficient proportion and balance. Furthermore, the body is divided into 4 cortiles, which divide the core into 4 regions.

The 1st and 3rd Coretile are often most referred to, because they act as the governing core tiles and directly relate to how the limbs interact with the spine.

A multitude of exercise series are done utilizing stationary bars, springs, rollers, barrels and straps that target various aspects of the body's movement through the coretiles or through different types of forces such as traction. Even though GST utilizes several props in order to provide leverage and resistance, many exercises can be performed with little equipment or common household items like a towel or broom. Through intense focus on internal oppositional traction the muscles can be safely stretched and strengthened.

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Wikipedia