The Garuda Method Comes to Town
The Garuda method has landed in Barcelona’s progressive Gràcia neighborhood! Inés Gondra’s two-year-old studio near Plaza Molina is one of only two locations in Spain offering classes and private lessons in this emerging holistic exercise method.
Garuda was founded by James D’Silva, a former dancer with a background in Pilates, Gyrotonic and yoga. Named after a mythological bird from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, the Garuda method marries dance, core-strengthening Pilates techniques, and yoga-like movements. Classes take place on the bespoke Garuda apparatus or using props such as the barre, exercise mats, chairs, and foam rollers. Garuda can feel like a friendlier version of some of the more strenuous contortions of Pilates or yoga, but this versatile method is designed to challenge beginners, intermediate and advanced students alike.
The Garuda method’s founder claims it may lead to stronger, leaner muscles, improved flexibility, balance and coordination, and better blood and lymphatic fluid circulation. Unlike Pilates or some types of yoga, Garuda is movement-based, and so offers some cardiovascular training for endurance. Garuda also may appeal to a broader audience such as:
- older people looking for joint pain relief;
- endurance athletes wanting to be more flexible and prevent injuries; and,
- people recovering from an injury seeking functional movement exercises to speed healing
For pilates and yoga teachers and other experts, Inés is hosting a Garuda Inspiration Day in November. The workshops will be led by Inés herself, along with Rosa Núñez, owner and teacher of Spain’s only other Garuda studio located in Santander, and Jaime Gardoqui, an expert physiotherapist-osteopath. The workshop will be taught in Spanish.
While Sting believes in the Garuda method enough to take his teacher along with him on tour, we can’t promise Garuda will cure all of your exercise woes. However, it’s a unique way to recharge your workout routine, challenge your muscles and mind, and a fun way to learn something new, either alone or with a group of friends.
Check out Inés Gondra´s website for more information about the studio, the Garuda method, and pricing for classes and private sessions. Inés also offers home visits, if you prefer more personal attention.
For more information and to register for the Garuda Inspiration Day for teachers and experts, please call +34 679102300 or email ines@inesgondra.com. The event is on November 30, 2019, with workshops offered at 11am-1:30pm and 3pm-7pm.
