The Journey That Twisted My Pilates Practice-And Changed Everything

This is the story of how spirals transformed my own body—and became the heart of Pilates EnergetiX.

My First Encounter with Spirals

Back in the 90s, after several years of teaching Pilates, I stumbled upon a fascinating new method: Gyrotonic®. Rooted in tai chi, yoga, and dance, it was a world away from the strict, linear control I had learned in Pilates. Instead, Gyrotonic® emphasized spirals, arcs, and undulating movements that awakened the whole body. At the same time, I was also studying Kundalini Yoga and the chakra system—another practice deeply rooted in circular, wave-like motion.

We introduced Gyrotonic® in our Los Angeles studios, and clients loved the twisting patterns and rhythmic spinal openings. But as demand for Reformers grew, the Gyrotonic® Towers gave way, and spirals slowly slipped into the background.

Returning to the Spiral

Fast-forward 25 years. I found myself feeling stuck—both in my spine and in life. I longed for freedom, for unfolding. And then I remembered the spiral.

I began to see it everywhere in nature: the curl of bark, Saturn’s rings, water swirling around rocks, a plant unfurling toward the sun. My body craved that same rotation and flow. I wanted to twist with ease, rotate freely, rediscover joy in motion. So, I began reshaping my Pilates practice around waves and spirals.

Guidance and Direction

To deepen this exploration, I turned to mentors in the movement world—Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle and Mary Bowen (one of Joseph Pilates’ original students). Their advice was simple yet profound: loosen Pilates’ edges and let yourself play in the space around you.

Still, my analytical side wanted grounding in science. That’s when I discovered just how deeply spirals are embedded in the body.

The Science of Spirals

Through a training with Pilates leaders Michael Fritzke, Ton Voogt and physiotherapist Monica Fischer Straub, I was introduced to Spiraldynamik®, a Swiss system developed by Dr. Christian Larsen.

Its principle is beautifully simple: the human body is organized in spirals and helices—from DNA to fascia to muscular chains. The focus is on correct joint alignment and conscious movement along natural spiral pathways. What began as intuition came full circle: science confirmed it. Spirals aren’t just expressive—they’re written into our biology. They are essential to regeneration, resilience, and vitality.

Pilates EnergetiX and the Spiral

This is the essence of Pilates EnergetiX: blending the precision of Pilates with the intelligence of spirals. The result is a system that reorganizes the body, liberates movement, and reconnects you to your natural flow.

5 Reasons to Train Spirals

1. They Activate the Fascial Web
   Rotation hydrates and mobilizes fascia along diagonal lines—keeping tissues resilient.
2. Life Moves in Spirals
   From rolling out of bed to reaching into the back seat, daily life is rotational. Training should be too.
3. They Integrate the Whole Body
   Feet ground, core stabilizes, spine rotates, ribs expand, eyes orient—spirals are full-body coordination in action.
4. They Keep Your Spine Youthful
   Rotation decompresses and mobilizes the spine, maintaining suppleness as you age.
5. They Unlock Power and Flow
   Spirals harness your body’s elastic recoil—the slingshot effect that delivers both strength and grace.

The Final Spiral

When you move in spirals, you’re not just exercising—you’re syncing with nature’s most intelligent design. Spirals don’t just move the body; they organize energy, restore balance, and set motion free. Your spine knows it. Your breath knows it. Your cells know it. Because movement isn’t meant to be linear—it’s meant to spiral.

At Pilates EnergetiX, your spine is freed, your body flows, and your movement awakens. Follow life’s twists, embrace the turns, and let your body move with ease—come experience it for yourself!

To learn more about Spiraldynamik® visit https://spiraldynamik.com/de/