Get
to know Pilates
Get
to know Pilates
Winsor Pilates: The
Most Popular At-Home Pilates Program
If you have seen any TV in the last two years, you would probably have seen
advertisements for Winsor Pilates DVD home program. This
popular at-home pilates program has been purchased by millions of viewers who
are interested in bringing regular pilates practice into their lives.
But what exactly is Winsor
Pilates, how does it differ from Pilates and what
sort of promises do the creators of Winsor Pilates make about
their program? Here is a brief overview of the world of Winsor
Pilates that can help you decide if this program is right
for you.
The founder of Windor Pilates, Mari
Winsor, a popular pilates instructor who has worked
with a host of Hollywood celebrities, developed Winsor Pilates.
Winsor Pilates was designed for the general public, and the
creators of this popular system guarantee that the system
can be used at almost any fitness level. Winsor Pilates was
designed so that just about anyone can complete the movements
that are a part of the whole pilates routine. The creators
of this system have made sure that all the moves can be modified
according to fitness level and physical health. Another component
of the Winsor Pilates method is that it places a lot of focus
on building the "powerhouse" of
the body.
What is the powerhouse? The
powerhouse refers to the core muscle groups of the body. In
this case, powerhouse refers to the buttocks, hip muscles,
the lower back area, and the abdomen muscles. By focusing extra
attention to the powerhouse area, the creators of Winsor Pilates
promise that their system can help create a long, lean and
overall sculpted look. Another important component of the Winsor
Pilates method that is directly related to the philosophy of
the powerhouse is dynamic sequencing.
According to the creators
of Winsor Pilates, dynamic sequencing means that the exercises
and movements are combined in a specially sequenced order that
produces a specific rhythm and calorie-burning routine that
helps slim and sculpt the body in the most desirable form possible.
One of the primary claims
made by the creators of Winsor Pilates that
has contributed to the popularity of this particular pilates
program is the weight loss component of the program. Winsor
Pilates promises that the program can help participants lose
weight through a low intensity workout that creates a steady
calorie-burning effect that can help participants gradually
drop inches from their body and create a lean and sculpted
look.
Winsor Pilates has
become one of the most popular pilates systems because it promises
an aerobics component as part of the workout. Most conventional
pilates routines do not include any form of aerobic exercises,
but the Winsor Pilates system includes a strong off the mat
aerobics component that promises to burn calories and condition
the heart. The Winsor Pilates system helps you identify your
heart rate and allows you to work within your heart rate to
stay in the zone of maximum calorie burning.
In addition, Mari Winsor,
the founder of this popular program, recommends that participants
augment their pilates practice with other forms of aerobics
for maximum results.
Pilates : The basics
of mat workouts
One of the most basic and common workout for pilates is the mat exercise.
It’s the best way for a beginner to get involved into the program, and
at the same time, it’s one of the hardest parts of the exercise to fully
develop. These exercises are useful in helping the body to become strengthened
and realigned, with increases in posture and balance occurring rapidly. In
this article, we’ll give you a basic outline of some of the parts of
the mat exercise program with regards to pilates.
In the original pilates program
organized by Joseph Pilates years ago, there are 44
different mat exercises. The exercises center around six basic principles
which are the foundation for the program. The principles are:
centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and
flowing movement. Based off of earlier exercises incorporated
into yoga thousands of years ago, mat exercises are performed
while sitting or in a reclined position. These exercises form
much of the basis of a pilates routine.
While some trumpet the merits
of pilates equipment and neglect the basic mat work, it’s
important to perform and it’s a part of pilates that
you can perform anywhere, regardless of conditions. Most beginners
are recommended to attend a class in order to get a very basic
understanding of how to properly perform the exercises. Below
are a few basic mat workout exercises which can help you to
begin pilates.
First is supine breathing.
Supine is a term that refers to laying on your back with your
face facing upwards. You should lie on your back with your
knees bent at about a 45 degree angle. Place one of your hands
on the lower part of your stomach, and inhale deeply through
the nose. Feel the way your hand moves when you take in the
breath. Next, exhale, and try to focus on the movement of pulling
your belly button as close to your spine as you can. Take these
breaths between four and six times; this will help you to relieve
stress and relax before engaging in other pilates exercises.
Next comes the cat stretch;
for this exercise, you’re going to need to be on your
hands and knees, with your knees directly underneath your hips
and your hands underneath your shoulders. Lay your hands out
flat and contract your abs, causing your spine to be more properly
aligned. As you inhale, pull your head upwards until you are
looking in front of you. When it comes time to exhale, tuck
your chin and do your best to pull your belly inwards and towards
your spine. Repeat this four to six times.
These are just a few of the
breathing exercises that surmise a pilates routine. They are
some of the first things to learn when beginning a pilates
program, and consequently can be very important to your success.
Now that you know a few of the basics of mat work, you can
better understand exactly what makes up the pilates exercises.
There are many different positions and exercises to learn,
and with some dedication, you can find yourself a self-fashioned
expert.
Choosing
the right pilates instructor
Pilates is gaining popularity and many clubs, gyms and even community clubs
and schools are starting classes.
In the pilates program, the
workouts are of a low-intensity and they emphasize the use
of proper form and movement as opposed to the jerky, uncontrolled
movements that other exercise routines commonly employ. For
that reason, when it comes to beginning a pilates course, it’s
important to know that your instructor understands everything
about pilates properly. If you are learning improper form for
the exercises, or aren’t emphasizing the right breathing
control, the value of the entire workout may be lost. To that
end, in this article, we’ll be offering some tips and
advice on how to find the pilates instructor that is right
for you.
Without a doubt, the first
thing to ponder when you are considering taking a pilates class
is finding out which certifications that the instructor has
obtained. Anyone who’s serious about teaching pilates
will most likely have a host of certifications, ensuring that
they are properly trained in the form and teachings of mat
exercises, as well as the use of pilates apparatus for those
who are interested in leraning the full pilates program.
Since pilates is such a wide-ranged
program, with over 500 exercises featured in it, it’s
not something that you can learn overnight. Be sure that your
teacher has a certification from a reputable source, such as
the National Pilates Certification or you may be wasting your
time.
Another important thing to
consider is how focused the instructor is on your progress.
When you enter the pilates workout environment, does the instructor
take a second to say hello to you? It’s important for
the instructor to have a zest for your improvement in the program,
or you may find that they are neglecting you when it comes
to proper form.
When you are taking your
first course, you may also want to consider exactly what the
instructor is saying when they give instruction. Some teachers
are content to use pilates terms without any further explanation,
leaving you wondering exactly what they are asking for you.
If you’re new to the program, be sure to take a class
with an instructor who gives you in-detail descriptions of
exactly what you need to do.
A good instructor may use
analogies to explain how they want you to move your body. Be
sure that the instructor takes a little time out of every session
to talk to the various students in the class individually.
Getting proper attention can benefit you not only in being
able to perform the exercises in a more efficient manner, but
it may also inspire you to go to class more than you can on
your own when you feel that the instructor truly cares about
your progress.
Your teacher should make
you feel motivated to perform, and they should be professional,
clear with their instructions, and courteous. If you feel that
you made the wrong decision in choosing a pilates teacher,
you should try to see what else is out there in order to make
your exercise program all that it can be. Your exercise program
is your responsibility and it’s important to make the
right decisions.
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