The Pilates Powerhouse

"If you honor the spiritual and scientific basis of this technique, and give over all your concentration and incorporate the fluidity of movement, you will possess all the keys to bring "Quality" to this method and experience the profound benefits Pilates offers." -Mari WinsorMari 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 justto reflect and move in the moment.You need three items to fully appreciate Winsor Pilates:The Pilates Powerhouse bookThe Winsor Pilates Body Sculpting ProgramThe Pilates Workout JournalThis 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 getthe 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 Pilates1. 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 It4. 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 Prevention6. 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.~The Rebecca Review

I've become a Pilates junkie because it's really true when they say you'll have a whole new body after 30 sessions. So I've bought many books and tapes on the subject. This book is good in that it covers the complete mat workout. There are very wordy descriptions and some photos of each exercise but it would have worked better if they had numbered the written sequence to match with appropriately numbered photos. The book by Brooke Siler does a much better job I think in describing the exercises.The exercises vary slightly in all the Pilates books/routines that I've read/seen and this will add a few more to the repertoire. There is an interesting intro/history and some supplemental exercises for special conditions (the author swears Pilates helped to control her asthma). This book does have more modifications of some of the exercises than the Siler book (and more name dropping) so that may make this book worth it to you - even though it is harder to follow.

This book was a gift for our daughter in-law who asked about my & my husband's pilates routine. This isn't the first time we've shared this book with others. After looking at many pilates books we chose this one years ago because it's the most comprehensive. I still check new books that come out, but Pilates Powerhouse stands out as superior. Includes an informative history of Joseph Pilates development of the exercises & information about the uses of Pilates for physical therapy. But Mari's progression through the exercises is the best! You can always adjust to your time limitations & of course you build up your routine as your strength builds up.In our opinion this is the best all around Pilates book!

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.

If you want to get in shape, if you want to feel strong, if you want to have an easy book to follow, get this one. It will make you strong, you don't need a gym, and you can do all the exercises in your living room. Get yourself a lot of self drive and motivation and go for it. You will, however, have to supplement this challenging workout with something aerobic. It will not take off all the inches all by itself. Remember that eating less, burning more is the secret to any weight loss program. This program will burn your calories but not enough to get you to look like Baywatch by June.

I was just checking to make sure the book is still available on Amazon. I have recommended it to so many people through the years. I was very startled that there were negative reviews. I have been doing many of the exercises for about 14 years. I am much stronger and healthier. My flexibility, balance, and posture are much better. I did not lose any weight, but I did have to get a new wardrobe, a size smaller. My left hip is arthritic and my left leg has issues, but only when I fail to do the exercises for a few days. I feel no pain or discomfort at all when I am faithful to my routine. I like not needing to go to the gym for this. I am 63. I know people my age and younger pop pills for pain I would have if I chose that route.

This is a great resource for your pilates workout. Even tips on avoiding exercises for bad neck, bad knees or a bad lower back. Great integration. A little high on the reps, but still very good. A good addition, but not necessary. The two best are: complete idiot's guide to the pilates method and the pilates body.

great book- i use this instead of a dvd