Fitness expert Mari Winsor has been credited with the commercialization of the Pilates method. The Winsor Pilates TV infomercials, as well as the abundance of Mari Winsor books, DVDs and CDs, have transformed Pilates from an elite fitness method to a household term. The ball is a more recent addition to the Winsor Pilates program.
History
The Pilates method of exercise was developed by a German named Joseph Pilates. He created his method in the early twentieth century, as a means of overcoming his physical limitations. Joseph Pilates came to America in the 1920s and opened a studio in New York. He became the fitness guru of athletes and dancers but was not widely known in the general fitness community. In fact, what little interest the general public had in Pilates exercise waned during the 1980s, when Americans were interested in high-impact workouts. Then, in the 1990s, Pilates took the nation by storm.
Suddenly, hundreds of fitness instructors opened Pilates studios. Mari Winsor opened her LA studio in 1990. Since she was not a certified Pilates instructor, she called her technique "dynamic sequencing." In 1992, Winsor entered the certification program conducted by Romana Kryzanowska, who was one of Pilates' original students.
Theories/Speculation
It's interesting to note that interest in Pilates exercise and interest in stability ball exercise happened simultaneously. This may have been a reaction to the mindless, high-impact programs of the 1980s, which caused numerous muscular, skeletal and joint injuries. Stability ball exercise and Pilates are both rooted in physical therapy. The marriage of these methods seemed natural and quickly became a trend. Instructors like Mari Winsor who were able to predict this trend enjoyed the greatest commercial success.
Misconceptions
The stability ball was not a part of the original technique. In fact, proponents of what is called "authentic Pilates," such as Romana Kryzanowska, believe that the ball should not be part of any program called Pilates, since it was not part of the program developed by Joe. Others argue that Joseph Pilates was a creative individual who was constantly developing new methods. The fact that the ball was not part of the original method does not belie its efficiency.
Features
Mari Winsor uses the ball in a variety of positions. For example, some of the supine abdominal exercises are performed with the feet on the ball. The elevated leg position helps keep the lower back on the floor. The ball is also used in the prone position for spinal extension exercise. This allows for an increased range of motion. Winsor uses her dynamic sequencing method for her Pilates ball workout. It differs from traditional Pilates in that the exercises are sequenced so that there is minimal transition time between movements. As such, it is performed at a faster pace.
Benefits
Working on the ball imposes a balance challenge, which requires active use of your core musculature. In Pilates, the core muscles are referred to as the "power house." As such, any method that enhances the use of the core muscles also enhances the efficiency of the technique.
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