June 23, 2025, 5:23 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Getting back in shape and returning the body to its pre-pregnancy fitness level after giving birth is a challenge. Amandine Albisson, a star dancer at the Opéra Garnier in Paris, chose a method that is largely unknown to the general public.
After pregnancy, many women notice changes in their bodies–whether emotional, muscular, in flexibility, or in overall energy levels. The body is no longer in the same shape as before. For many women, this means a new perspective on their bodies and fitness. While most (including the author of these lines) are content with a loosely defined return to general fitness after childbirth, for Amandine Albisson, it meant preparing her body step by step for an extreme level of performance that goes far beyond everyday fitness standards: The star ballerina of the Paris Opéra Garnier relied on a relatively unknown method to regain her form: Gyrotonic.
Overview
“It Was Hard, My Hips Hurt, I Had No Abdominal Muscles Left”
Prima ballerina Amandine Albisson did not rely solely on the opera’s fitness trainers to get back in shape after the birth of her son. In interviews with “Paris Capitale” and “Vogue,” which the star dancer of the Opéra Garnier gave during and after her more than year-long maternity leave, she mentioned that she also attended Gyrotonic classes. She discovered the exercise method when she resumed training after her pregnancy. “It was hard, my hips hurt, I had no abdominal muscles left,” Albisson said at the time. “Gyrotonic really helped me regain my flexibility while toning all the muscles in my body.”
Amandine Albisson is a celebrated star dancer of the Opéra Garnier in Paris. She began her dance career at the age of four and joined the ballet school of the Opéra national de Paris in 1999. In 2006, she was admitted to the Corps de Ballet and quickly rose through the ranks: In 2009, she became a Coryphée, in 2010 a Sujet, and in 2013 a Soloist (Première Danseuse). On March 5, 2014, she was finally named a Danseuse Étoile–the highest rank a dancer can achieve in the ballet of the Opéra Garnier. The title is only awarded to outstanding dancers who perform the leading roles in ballet performances.
What Kind of Training Is Gyrotonic?
For Albisson, Gyrotonic was a conscious step to prepare her body for the high demands of ballet. But what is this training that allowed a prima ballerina to manage the changes in her body after pregnancy and childbirth and regain her flexibility and strength?
The technique–a three-dimensional movement system–was developed in the 1980s by Hungarian Juliu Horvath, who had to abruptly end his successful dance career in the U.S. due to a severe spinal injury. To treat his back problems, he studied Kundalini Yoga and acupuncture, creating his movement system “Gyrokinesis”–also known as “Yoga for Dancers.”
Move the Body in All Directions
The exercises are characterized by moving the body in all directions. The technique focuses on promoting flexibility, mobility, and energy, using body weight, sometimes chairs or balls, to support the movements.
Gyrotonic is an evolution of Gyrokinesis. For additional effects on strength and flexibility, Horvath developed equipment. For example, there is a type of seated device with straps and resistance that allows practitioners to perform deeper movements. Compared to traditional fitness or yoga exercises, the movements are wave-like and flowing, combining elements of yoga, dance, and Tai Chi.
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Differences From Pilates
The combination of gymnastics, yoga, and equipment naturally brings Pilates to mind. There is the “Reformer,” a type of sled with resistance springs to intensify exercises and target muscles. Pilates also has its roots in dance, originally conceived by Joseph Pilates as a rehabilitation method for dancers. Both training systems pursue similar goals, such as improving strength, flexibility, and posture. However, there are differences.
While Pilates often focuses on the “Powerhouse” (core muscle region) with precise, focused exercises, Gyrotonic involves circular and spiral movements that stretch and mobilize the body in all directions, activating muscles in a dynamic process. Licensed studios worldwide offer the Gyrotonic method with specially trained instructors.
Is the Training Suitable for Every Woman After Pregnancy?
Gyrotonic uses flowing, circular movements that are gentle on the joints and do not overwhelm the body. This makes the training very suitable for women after pregnancy–but not universally for everyone. The method specifically activates the deeper abdominal and back muscles (such as the pelvic floor), which are often weakened after childbirth, in a functional, non-aggressive way. However, train only with a well-trained instructor. And: During the postpartum period, movement with such muscle activation is taboo. According to common medical opinion, the postpartum period lasts about six to eight weeks.
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Albisson Also Benefited From Muscle-Building Exercises for Calves and Back After Pregnancy
Star dancer Amandine Albisson said Gyrotonic helped her regain her flexibility. It particularly helped her mobilize her hips and strengthen her deep muscles. But Gyrotonic wasn’t the only thing that helped her regain her stage fitness.
Albisson also incorporated muscle-building exercises that specifically strengthened her calves and back. “And I go to my physiotherapist. Recovery is the most important thing,” she told “Paris Capitale.” About a year and a half after the birth of her son, she returned to the stage, where she has been dancing ever since.
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How the Star Ballerina Breakfasts
Not only in terms of training can one learn from the dancer. Her breakfast can also be an inspiration to start the day with full energy.
Sometimes she has class from 10:45 to 12 p.m., then a rehearsal until 1:30 p.m., and then until 4 p.m., she told “Vogue” at the end of 2023. A perfect first meal of the day is essential. Her breakfast consists of plant-based yogurt with muesli and fresh fruit and a slice of bread with peanut or hazelnut butter. “And there’s tea. Not even fruit juice. It’s good, very hearty, and without frustration. But on weekends, I still treat myself to a small pastry.”