[.ca] The Pilates Powerhouse: The Total Body Sculpting System ... (ISBN 0738202282)

From Amazon.com:
Help your butt say "neener neener!" to Father Time. Join some of Hollywood's best bodies (Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny Glover) who've gone gaga over the Pilates method of body conditioning. (It's intriguingly referred to as "the method" for short). Celebrities, professional athletes, dancers, and models drop $50 or more for each private lesson on the Pilates equipment (which includes contraptions with potentially dangerous-looking straps and springs, with intimidating names like the Cadillac and the Reformer). If you'd rather not shell out cash like that to help your rear defy gravity--especially when at least three classes a week are recommended--take heart. Mari Winsor, one of L.A.'s most popular Pilates instructors, has brilliantly collected the essential exercises--none of which requires any equipment other than perhaps a carpeted floor--into a supremely inspiring, snappily written, simple-to-follow handbook, perhaps the perfect book for new moms, business travelers looking to stay fit while on the road, and the swimsuit-phobic alike. Despite the recent wave of Pilates (that's Pi-lah-teez) enthusiasts singing its praises to magazines like Vogue and Elle, the system has been around since World War I; George Balanchine and Martha Graham used the exercises to add strength without bulking up, perfect their posture, prevent injury, increase flexibility, and improve circulation. Indeed, a person who's completed a Pilates workout has a rather orgasmic glow; the workout is aerobic but not so much as to cause much sweating. This is not to say it's easy; while your behind gets a great lift, the exercises focus on the abs, or "powerhouse." Each exercise is clearly explained next to step-by-step photographs of Winsor's fabulous bod. Unlike in most exercise guides, you won't see Winsor promising remarkable results in minimum time--she says an hour a day is what you need to give to reap the Pilates benefits, but adds, "In the other twenty-three hours you will not only enjoy yourself more, but will find that you have more quality time." Winsor even goes so far in her praise of the method to mention that she hasn't had a full-blown asthma attack since she started faithfully following the program. She adds, "it has helped me recover from devastating injuries, it has transformed my self-image and sense of worth, and it keeps me calm and centered every day." Not bad results from a workout you can do in the comfort of your own home--for free. --Erica Jorgensen

Better to get the DVD and see how this is done:
This book contains black-and-white photographs to demonstrate how to use the Pilates system pf exercise at home, Pilates really only requires a met, and a few props such as a stick and one of those exercise balls. The exercises rely on the "powerhouse" or the abdominal muscles, truly the center of one's balance and required for every activity from holding one's back upright to walking. However, the small movements using the legs and arms that are typical of Pilates (which takes less than an hour a day and is reputed to produce dancer-style elongated muscules) are best demonstrated by a video or DVD. So if you are serious about doing Pilates and don't have a studio to attend, combine this book with a DVD to get better instruction. On its own, this is probably not sufficient for a beginner, though the experienced would enjoy reading it.

Three is a Charm:
"If you honor the spiritual and scientific basis of this technique, and give over all your concentration and incorporate the fluidity of movement, youi will possess all the keys to bring "Quality" to this method and experience the profound benefits Pilates offers." -Mari Winsor Mari Winsor enjoys helping people transform their bodies and for those of us who are just discovering the benefits and FINALLY seeing some results, we are especially excited about the fact that Mari has organized a program for us to help us transform our bodies. Maybe these types of exercises are just addictive because you really can see results. These exercises also provide a quiet place where you can just be by yourself and nurture yourself. In a way, they are like Yoga where you have time to yourself just to reflect and move in the moment. You need three items to fully appreciate Winsor Pilates: The Pilates Powerhouse book The Winsor Pilates Body Sculpting Program The Pilates Workout Journal This book is probably best purchased along with the Winsor Pilates Body Sculpting Program and Pilates Workout Journal. To find the Body Sculpting program, link over to the drugstore.com area that is connected with Amazon. For some reason, I can't get the program to list when searching for Mari Winsor at Amazon. I would like to see this book in a "spiral bound" version because you will want to be able to keep the pages open. This is a book you want to use, not just read once. I would also like to find a Pilates wall chart. No luck so far. The exercises in this book are all in Mari's Body Sculpting program. To do these exercises correctly, I find it is essential to watch the videos first. Then, you can use this book to remind yourself of the exercises while doing other fun things like watching movies. The journal is also useful as it has a beginner to advance routine and you can follow the lists. I've thought about cutting out all the pictures in the book and pasting them onto note cards and placing them on a key ring so I can have the exercises all in a row. This might be what I resort to if I can't find a chart. The reason I personally love this method of exercising is because I can do the exercises while watching TV or a movie. This book is going to tell you all the basics you need to know. The explanations do go into more depth than even on the videos. Yet, I think to appreciate the program, it is best to watch the videos first. Contents: Introduction: Find out who Joseph Pilates was and why he was a revolutionary force in the world of fitness. Part One: The Power of Pilates 1. The Joy of Movement - What are the benefits? These are rather convincing. If you are stressed out by other routines, these exercises provide a loving, nurturing environment in which your body can change. You feel that you are really caring for yourself. 2. Principles of Understanding - Learn about breathing, relaxation, concentration, control, fluidity, strength, flexibility, freedom and control. There is a certain joy in the opposites presented in these exercises. You stretch and tone. You relax and work out. There is a certain balance you achieve through each routine. 3. The Powerhouse - The secret and essential ingredient. I didn't really understand fully what this was until reading this book. There is not enough time on the videos to go into depth. That is why this book is essential! Part Two: Doing It 4. Before You Begin - More motivation and pep talk from Mari. I love her style. I love the way she can convince me to get down on the floor and work out. What a woman! 5. Pilates Mat Work - These are the exercises. A full list of 41 ways to firm, tone and stretch. All the exercises are shown with complete detailed explanations. Most have a "prep, ready and action" area. Some only need a "ready and action." The instructions are easy-to-understand, but to fully understand them, I again recommend the videos. So worth the price. Part Three: Injuries and Injury Prevention 6. Defying Defeat- If you have been injured and are in pain, Pilates might be the perfect remedy for healing and diminishing chronic pain. I know it has helped my back and my entire body feels stronger. 7. Neck Injuries - Neck stretches you can do to alleviate pain. When first doing these exercises, you will notice some tension in your shoulders and neck, but that quickly subsides as you build up muscles to support your head. There are also variations so you don't have to lift your head as much when doing the exercises. Of course, you want to work to that level. 8. Lower Back Pain - Stretches and modifications. "Rolling Down the Wall" is a fun exercise to stretch out your lower back. 9. Asthma - interesting to have included this in the book. But asthma is actually very common. Breathing through your nose is what Mari recommends. I've heard that cold air on the back of the throat can actually aggravate Asthma. Exercise induced Asthma is a reality. 10. Beyond the Mat - Look for a Pilates studio. The equipment can help give you a deeper stretch and added resistance. In this section, it would have been nice to see the exercise machines. She gives a toll-free number so you can call and find a studio in your area. Like Yoga, Pilates is really a way of life for many. You can add this type of program to a walking program and see added benefits. I like this better than Yoga, because there are still some pretty intense moves in Yoga that will take me years to perfect. With Pilates, you feel almost proficient from the start. None of the exercises are "too difficult" or "impossible." A Balanced approach to Life and Exercise.

Great book!!!!!:
I thought this book was great. My daughter had given me Mari's videos as a Christmas present. I was doing the videos and it was going pretty well, but when I purchased the book and gained the insight of the Pilates method, it all became more clear and addicting. I would reccommend her book and videos to anyone!

Great Home Guide:
This book is a great home guide...but I recommend taking some classes to learn the correct form. I've been taking classes in conjunction with doing the book workout. Mari gives good descriptions of exactly how to do each movement, but sometimes it's a little difficult to understand EXACTLY what you should be doing from a book...this is where some classes can help. One thing about the book that's BETTER than the classes is that Mari divides the positions in to beginner, intermediate, and advanced....which sometimes is not explained in a class. I know that pilates class are expensive and the book is cheap....but you can really get a whole lot more out of the book by taking a few classes to learn proper form & understand how the exercises flow together and THEN continue at home for your workout (and money savings).

Good Reference:
I bought the Pilates videos and I've enjoyed them. This book is a useful tool for understanding the method behind the moves. It is written clearly, explaining parts of the movements most people would not think to consider when starting any exercise program. I was glad to see her point out that these moves should be done to the comfort level of the individual, stressing the importance of injury prevention. Included is a complete part on stretches/ exercises for dealing with soreness in different areas of the body. However, it helps to have some knowledge of kinesthetics or dance, as Pilates is about mental awareness of the body.