Winsor Pilates is a style of Pilates that has students use exercise equipment and their own body weight to practice controlled combinations of exercises that condition the body. Pilates studio owner and world-famous instructor Mari Winsor designed her own offshoot of the Pilates style and now sells numerous DVDs and books. Winsor exercises focus on the "powerhouse," which is Pilates terminology for abdominals, back and hip muscles.
History
Mari Winsor created Winsor Pilates in the 1990s after working closely with Romana Kryzanowska, a trainee of Joseph Pilates. According to the Mari Winsor Slimming Pilates website, Winsor bases her teaching style and Pilates exercises on the teaching of Joseph Pilates, who developed Pilates. Originally called "contrology," Joseph Pilates used his techniques to train Scotland Yard detectives. Pilates later became popular with dancers. Winsor Pilates is one of the most popular Pilates styles. The Winsor site claims that they have sold over 29 million DVDs.
Significance
Mari Winsor uses a signature technique she created called "dynamic sequencing," which is supposed to help burn more calories. A long list of Hollywood stars frequent the two Winsor Pilates studios in California, including Daisy Fuentes and Sharon Stone. Winsor claims that she is popular among celebrities because her techniques offer fast results. She markets many of her DVDs to populations that want to lose weight and tone the body.
Features
Although Winsor Pilates uses many of the same exercises as other Pilates styles, it has some distinct features. Along with trademarking her dynamic sequencing technique, Mari Winsor created a piece of exercise equipment called the "accelerator," which helps students practice over 200 exercises. Accelerators have handles and include a long bar and resistance band. Weights may also be added to the accelerator. "Seamless transitioning technique" is another signature feature that Winsor uses to move students between exercises more quickly for higher calorie burning.
Effects
Consumer Reports lists Pilates as a possible way to reduce back pain, build muscle, increase body awareness and burn as many calories as walking for one hour. Mari Winsor claims that some of her DVD training videos can help you lose weight if you practice 20 minutes a day. Winsor Pilates is a low-impact exercise.
Considerations
Consumer Reports lists Pilates as a safe way to improve flexibility, well-being and balance, but you should be cautious of potentially unrealistic expectations set by any Pilates company. For example, the Mari Winsor site claims that her techniques can help you lose 10 inches in two weeks. The Mayo Clinic cautions against rapid weight loss because it is difficult to sustain the effort required to do so. If you are pregnant or have other medical concerns, contact your physician before starting Winsor Pilates.
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