Developed by German-born Joseph Pilates in 1920, the Pilates exercise method is a system of slow and precise movements designed to develop inner core strength and increase flexibility and mobility. Most of the moves in Pilates are centered around stretching, balancing, and contracting one’s muscles, and it is now frequently recommended as a therapeutic method for patients recovering from various physical injuries.

Joseph Pilates claimed to have gained his inspiration for the fitness method from the ancient arts of yoga, Zen meditative techniques, and documented physical exercises of the ancient Greek and Roman empires. The exercise regimen developed out of his desire to increase his overall strength, but not to damage his body in the process or place undue strain on his muscles, which can often happen with bodybuilders and weightlifters.

Dancers and athletes can benefit greatly from Pilates, since the regimen not only increases flexibility and tones the body, but it also helps to improve posture. Individuals with spinal trauma are often recommended to try Pilates by their chiropractor, and it is a safe exercise method for the elderly or for more fragile individuals suffering from osteoporosis.

Another theory behind Pilates is that the exercise method functions as a holistic system of well-being, benefiting both the mind and the body. It may be used to relieve stress and anxiety, and because it does not place undue strain on any one area of the body, it increases one’s general sense of well-being.

A key Pilates teaching is that the center of the body’s strength lies in the ‘core’, which is a centralized group of muscles and nerves around the torso and pelvis, and that one can gain strength by becoming aware of one’s core alignment. Many Pilates exercises deal with breathing and developing an awareness of the core, instead of conducting repeated exercises that strain that area of the body.

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As you may have already discovered Winsor Pilates is one of the most popular and growing fitness trends of today. With this growth Winsor Pilates has achieved substantial base of people looking for a healthier lifestyle.

The goal of this article will be to review the Winsor Pilates advantages of the lifestyle Pilates for life.

One of the key advantages of the lifestyle of Pilates for life is that it introduces a -D Training and the Win-in-10-Meal Plan and is devised to allow for a 20 minute workout for those who are Pilate’s junkies.

The Winsor Pilates 20-Minute workout is actually a key focal point in the fitness videos produced by the Pilate’s fitness program and introduces low impact high result exercises and kinesics.

Pilates for life junkies the Winsor Pilates 20 minute workout is perfect, but it can be a little difficult for newbie’s of Pilates. The workout is totally for beginners but getting use to it can take some time.

You will find as a beginner the more you work with Pilates the more you will lean to Pilate for life lifestyle. The main workout can start out hard, but it is critical for building the body control or the “core” of the body which is commonly known as abdominal muscles.

Most people who start the Winsor Pilates 20 minute workout find it is easier if done in a full length mirror. Having a mirror in front of you will help you hold your abs in place without becoming unsteady on your legs. It is definitely challenging.

Furthermore, the Winsor Pilates 20 minute workout is where most Pilates for life junkies started with Pilates. It is critical to reshape their bodies with great speed with primordial Pilate’s exercises.

In reshaping the body the Winsor Pilates 20 minute workout is made up of about seven basic movements which include: Pilates 100, Roll-Up, Single Leg Circles, Rolling Like a Ball, Single Leg Stretch, Double Leg Stretch, and Spine Stretch Forward.

In addition to these seven major Winsor Pilates exercises, the Winsor Pilates 20-Minute workout also is made up of workout exercises like Single Straight Leg, Double Straight Leg, Criss Cross, Saw, Side Kick Series, Leg Lifts, and Seal. But before you get full force into these various exercises you must start with breathing which is a key foundation to Pilates.

In the end the key to a Winsor Pilates 20 Minute workout, is the challenge and that is what keep junkies coming back. You will find yourself becoming a Pilates for life junkie focusing on spotting every portion in your body with monitored and orchestrated kinesics.

By: Jack Harmon
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A concept developed by Joseph Pilates, based on the idea of physical-mind methodology, his system of non-impact exercises are meant to develop ones strength, balance, flexibility and self-consciousness.

It's a great excersie for both you and old and is both enjoyable and healthy lets look at the basics of pilates.

The concept

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. He will very ill as a child, and wished to find a way to make himself physically fit. He tirelessly studied all systems of physical culture, and eventually became a real athlete.

Later as the First World War broke out, Pilates was restrained in England as he was German.

There he worked as a nurse and devised some contraptions to aid rehabilitation. This was later refined into his 'method', which trains the basic back and abdominal muscles to stabilize correctly the upper torso, and gives the whole body a freer more natural movement.

The Method and Benefits

Specifically the method is a specialized series of movements that can be used by anyone at any age and in any kind of physical condition, even for people who are in wheelchairs.

As his method promotes feelings of well-being, and self-consciousness, people who practice it find themselves improving at many levels.

The method acts to strengthen one's muscles, and give them greater flexibility. It does so without adding muscle mass, and therefore its ideal for dancers.

Also a benefit of practicing the method is that by improving your posture, your flexibility and your sense of balance, you can prevent injury.

This is very important in older adults, dancers and actors. The method is also an excellent aid to rehabilitation.

Working With a Pilates Instructor

If you find a Pilates studio will first have an interview with an instructor. He or she will do a survey on your posture, and how you move.

Then a specially designed training program is developed specifically for you, using classic (or newly adapted) Pilate's method movements.

Your program will usually begin with some active and passive stretching movements, and general mat work. Passive stretching means the instructor will manipulate your body to get the desired effects. Active stretching means you will perform the stretching exercises as you are monitored by the instructor.

Working on a Pilates Machine

There are two basic machines in the Pilates method. One is known as the Universal Reformer (UF) and one as the Cadillac.

The UF looks much like a bed without a mattress. It has a platform that slides back and forth, and many cables, springs and pulleys.

These are vestiges of the original Pilates machinery that he devised for patients in bed, and so exercises can be done to suit the patient's movement capabilities. Your exercise session will last about 30 minutes, maybe a bit longer.

All movements are done very slowly, and there is a lot of commentary from the instructor regarding all the variables; breathing, posture alignment and the way the movements are performed.

There are now many books and home videos (and many can be found on the internet) that will allow a person to practice without an instructor. However, it is highly advised to at least learn the basics with an instructor first.

The Popularity of Pilates

The method can be said to be nearly universal now. Dancers love it, as it gives them the added benefit of strength without more muscle mass.

Also it give them a great deal of flexibility. Athletes love it as it helps them improve their sport, and also prevent injury. People who are confined to beds, wheelchairs or the home love it as it allows improvement no matter one's condition.

By: Sacha Tarkovsky
On all aspects of health and more on Pilates visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html

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