Pilates - That's Hot

Pilates - That's Hot
Developed from rehabilitation techniques; Pilates is a
safe, sensible exercise system. By emphasizing proper
breathing, it gets your mind and body in tune with one
another.

The originator, Joseph Pilates, was the son of a prize
winning gymnast in Germany; were Joseph was born. A sickly
child, Joseph began his life's journey to fitness and
health at an early age. By the time he was 14 he was
modeling for anatomy charts.

In 1912 Joe went to England where he worked as a self
defense instructor for Scotland Yard. At the beginning of
WWI he was interned with other German nationals. During his
internment, Joe refined his idea and trained other
internees. In 1918 an influenza epidemic struck England
killing thousands. Not one of Joe's trainees died. He
claimed this to be a testament to the effectiveness of his
system.

In 1926 Joseph Pilates emigrated to the U.S. and opened his
first studio in New York City sharing an address with the
New York City Ballet. Along the way he met Clara whom he
later married. By 1960 many New York dancers were their
clients; including George Balanchine, who later invited Joe
to instruct his young ballerinas at the New York City
Ballet.

When Joe passed away in 1967 only two of his students were
known to have opened their own studios. Carola Trier, a
close friend and Bob Seed, who tried to take clients from
Joe.

More than 80 years later Pilates has become one of the
hottest and most accessible workouts around. It's no wonder
as Pilates not only tones and tightens your body, but
protects it too.

There are two basic types of Pilates. The most common type
(which you can do almost anywhere) consists of a series of
floor exercises preformed on a mat. These use the body's
own weight as resistance, but can also involve resistance
bands or the Pilates Magic Circle (a flexible circle made
of rubber or thin metal). The second type relies on two
machines called the Cadillac and the Reformer which use a
system of springs, levers and pulleys to strengthen and
condition. Both types work on the "core" or transverse
muscle deep in the abdomen that forms the girdle inside the
body. A strong transverse muscle gives you better endurance
in every other physical activity. It also protects the
lower back and improves posture.

Pilates exercises do produce long lean muscles like a
dancer's, but Pilates isn't just for girls. Pro football
players use Pilates to strengthen their bodies and cores;
which helps them absorb the impact of full body tackles
without blowing out their knees. During World War I, Joseph
Pilates also used his exercises to help wounded soldiers
become mobile again.

Today there are Pilates studios all over the world. Mari
Winsor has gained much notoriety with her Windsor Pilates
fitness program.

The Winsor Pilates program is one of the top selling
fitness programs in the world, and is transforming the
bodies of men and women all over the globe.

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To learn more about Mari Winsor and Winsor Pilates go to:
http://www.harper-dtp.com/articles/pilates.htm