This is one of the most frequently asked questions after people come into contact with Chanrou:
"Chanrou looks a bit like Pilates. Could she have evolved from Pilates?"
The answer is clear: there is no direct relationship. The following is a full explanation based on an interview with founder Juliu Horvath himself.
How do you say Juliu?
Juliu put it very directly:
"It's impossible to compare Chanrou and Pilates; they are simply incomparable. Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesi are things that grew out of my Kundalini experience."
Kundalini is an internal energy phenomenon of the body—specific movement patterns naturally emerge based on the practitioner's mental state and physical health. Chanrou's core movement sequences and methodology grow from this deep personal inner experience, rather than being "manufactured" from any external movement system.
The origin of the entire system comes from his personal energy experience, not from any existing movement system. Although he has a background in ballet, swimming, and gymnastics, and these experiences are indeed incorporated, the core of the system does not originate from Pilates. Before developing Chanrou, he had never even actually entered a Pilates studio to see a class.
Juliu said, "This is a personal experience, not something created by any form of intellect. Yes, I incorporated my experiences in dance, swimming, and gymnastics—because that's my background. But the real core of this system comes from the Kundalini experience, from the experience of life."
Saint Thomas Island: It has nothing, yet it has everything.
Chanrou was born on the island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean Sea.
There was nothing there—only the sounds of insects, frogs, and water, and nature itself. Juliu was there, in that pure nature, where he developed a complete sequence of movements and methodology. In the natural environment, through profound personal experience, he allowed the movements to emerge and develop naturally, ultimately forming the current GYROKINESIS (without apparatus), which was later developed into the apparatus version of GYROTONIC.
He described the experience: "The sky opened up, and things fell on me."
This is not a metaphor, but the most honest description of that profound inner experience. That system was not designed, but grew naturally from his own body and consciousness.
So, do Juliu and Pilates have absolutely no connection?
Interestingly, Juliu actually knows one of the most important figures in the Pilates lineage—Romana Kryzanowska, who is widely recognized as Joseph Pilates' true successor.
Their relationship, however, was built through dance. Juliu had taught Romana's daughter to dance, which led to his connection with the family. But he said, "I've never been to her studio, and I've never even seen what Pilates looks like."
This statement makes the whole thing very clear—Chanrou's birth has no direct connection with Pilates.
They look alike, but their logic is completely different.
Since they have different origins, why do so many people think they are very similar?
While they do share some superficial similarities—both use equipment, emphasize core activation, and are not traditional weight training—the differences become quite apparent upon closer examination.
Pilates' logic stems from anatomy and core stability—it involves standardized movements, precise muscle activation sequences, and emphasizes control and precision. It is linear, structured, and describable in anatomical terms.
Chanrou's logic originates from energy and inner experience—her movements are three-dimensional spirals, driven by breath, and radiate outward from the Seed Center. Its language is imagery, not anatomical; its goal is flow and integration, not control and fixation.
But they can complement each other.
Although they have different origins and different logics, this does not mean that they are opposed to each other.
Many professionals in physical work practice both Pilates and Chanju deeply and find that they reinforce each other—Pilates provides a stable foundation, while Chanju allows movement to flow on that foundation. Each has its strengths, illuminating different aspects of the body.
Pilates is structure, Chanrou is flow. Pilates is the foundation, Chanrou is the tree growing on the foundation. They are not the same thing, but they can be the best complements to each other.
Chanrou is not an extension or modified version of Pilates. It is a complete movement system independently developed by Juliu Horvath from her profound personal energy experiences and natural inspiration.
This also explains why Chanrou feels so unique—it's not "another kind of core training," but a movement art with its own philosophy, rhythm, and vitality.
Something that fell from the sky.
Content source: Juliu's YouTube interview video
