Posts Tagged ‘Queen of Pilates’
On Thursday, September 5, 2013, Well & Good NYC, published an interview with AJGpr client, Mari Winsor — lovingly known as the Queen of Pilates entitled Mari Winsor: How Pilates Keeps Her Young at 63.
Mari currently owns two studios in Southern California — West Hollywood and Santa Monica where clients work with top trainers privately, semi-privately and in group mat classes.
Below is the Well & Good NYC interview with journalist Lisa Elaine Held.
Mari Winsor: How Pilates Keeps Her Young at 63
Famed Los Angeles instructor Mari Winsor is part of the Pilates vanguard. And at 63, she continues to expand her fitness empire, with celebrity clients (like Miley Cyrus—Winsor’s responsible for her abs, but not for that dance), and a new DVD out this week.
The DVD, Pink Ribbon Pilates, includes five 20-minute Pilates workouts, one of which is specifically designed to help breast cancer survivors during recovery from surgery and illness. (A percentage of each purchase goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.)
“There are a lot of workouts that don’t focus on what somebody can do when they’re not quite 100 percent,” Winsor says. “They want to do something for their bodies, but they don’t know what to do.”
That’s true even for healthy people—particularly as they get older. We asked Winsor to dish on how she stays fit, healthy, and happy as she ages—and for her advice on how those who haven’t (yet) dedicated their lives to fitness can follow her.
How long have you been doing Pilates? I feel like my whole life. I was a dancer for 20 years, and I had a nice dance career. I danced with Michael Jackson and did some movies. As time wore on, you go, “Well, hmm, I’m not going to be able to do this forever.” That’s when my friend who was the lead dancer for the Ailey company suggested I try Pilates. I found a place, and then along came Romana Kryzanowska (Joseph Pilates’ protege). I went and had one lesson with her when she visited LA, and I was like “Okay, this is it. This is what I need to learn.” I glued myself to her side.
At 63, you look incredible. I’m sure people must tell you that all of the time. Is it the Pilates? What’s your daily fitness routine like? I practice Pilates six days a week, and I also walk, and I do ballet class a couple times a week. For me, Pilates works from the inside out. You’re building flexibility and strength at the same time and strengthening your core, which is essential to holding on to good posture as you get older. But no matter what kind of workout you do, as long as you’re happy with it, you’re going to look and feel younger if you keep doing it. If you enjoy what you’re doing, no matter how many wrinkles you have, that youthful energy shines through.
That’s great advice. What about for people who are finding it challenging to work out as they age? Do you have tips for them? It’s a day-to-day challenge; it’s not easy. Sometimes you kind of have to force yourself to move around a little bit, even if it’s just talking a walk, doing some deep breathing. You want 20 minutes of constant motion. They say aerobically you need to have 20 minutes of constant movement to get benefits. With Pilates, you are in constant motion from the beginning to the end if you do it properly.
Is there anything else that’s not related to fitness that you think helps you feel and look great as you age? I think that beauty comes from within. If you’re at peace with yourself, and you’re a happy person, and you’re kind and have ethics, that shows. That glows through.
For more information, visit www.winsorfit.com or check out Pink Ribbon Pilates.
It’s a New Year – New You! Everyone wants to get in shape and Reuters TV turned to AJGpr client, fitness expert — “Queen of Pilates” — Mari Winsor.
Mari Winsor, one of Hollywood’s most popular Pilates trainers is widely credited with popularizing this once-obscure workout and making it accessible to the public at-large. With the record-breaking and unparalleled success of Mari’s workout series and award-winning infomercials, Winsor Pilates became a household name. Thirty Pilates videos and over 50 million programs sold, later Mari’s groundbreaking dynamic workouts continue to help and inspire people across the country to take care of themselves, look better, live longer, and lead healthy satisfied lives. Today, fans of Pilates can join Mari’s “WINSORFIT CLUB.” For $10 a month, you can work out like a celebrity, in the comfort of your own home. Winsor Pilates comes to you! This first week trial is ONLY $1.
Mari’s studios remain premiere workout centers where one finds a continuous roster of A-list clients building their “core.”
Pilates Trainer to the Stars Mari Winsor on Staying Fit Over 40
Cindy Pearlman’s exclusive one-on-one interview with Fitness Guru Mari Winsor for StyleGoesStrong.com
No one does The Hundred quite like Mari Winsor. Of course, she also does a mean Rolling Like a Ball.
If this means nothing then you’re not versed in the ways of Pilates.
Mari has trained all the Hollywood A-listers and did so in the days when Pilates just sounded like some sort of dish at a fancy restaurant.
The breathing-stretching-deep-core workout is actually one of the ways most Hollywood A-listers stay so toned.
Now, you can do the same sort of routines at home with Mari’s newest DVD, Lower Body Pilates, which will be released March 6 and can be found on Amazon.com and ShopGaiam.com.
Mari found some time to get off her mat and answer some over 40 body questions:
SGS: What are the challenges for women over 40 when it comes to fitness?
MW: “That’s a tough question because I consider forty and over to be still young. If someone does not keep up a routine of fitness before 40, they may notice changes in strength, flexibility and endurance. There are so many choices for fitness. It’s important to choose something you like, so you will stick with it. Consistency is very important. If you get in to great shape then stop as you get older, it just takes longer to get back in shape.”
SGS: What is the appeal of Pilates for us over 40s?
MW: “Pilates exercise when done correctly will help to keep you strong, flexible, graceful, more coordinated and more connected with your own body. It’s also great for your spine and joints.”
SGS: Do you need to be toned and flexible to start?
MW: “Anyone can start Pilates exercise at any fitness level. There are always modifications for exercises. We always say if a particular exercise doesn’t feel right, leave it out. For the more advanced person, there are many challenges.”
SGS: Why are the lower abs so hard to tone?
MW: “Lower abs are part of your Pilates powerhouse! They very important to use for balance, stability and movement. Many exercise regimes focus on external movement, which makes it more difficult to get those hard to reach areas. We focus in Pilates with every movement being initiated from your powerhouse. This will strengthen and tone your tummy everywhere faster than doing 300 crunches every day.
SGS: Can you also give us some tips for arm fat…we hate it!
MW: Light weights or resistance for the arms will help with unwanted fat. Diet, however, plays a major role in getting rid of unwanted fat. Cut out sugar and eat less of the starches and eat smaller meals. Stay away from carbonated drinks and stay hydrated!.
SGS: What are your favorite 3-4 Pilates positions for over 40 ladies?
MW: “I like The 100, The Roll Up and Criss Cross.”
SGS: What are your favorite diet tips?
MW: “If you drink alcohol every night then cut down to one drink two times a week. The weight will fly off your body. Don’t give in to the temptation of a wonderful dessert, although once in a while it is okay. You don’t want to feel deprived. Don’t skip breakfast and don’t eat too close to bedtime.”
SGS: What do you eat during an average day?
MW: “For breakfast I might have an egg burrito, scrambled eggs or egg white omelet. Maybe, I’ll add one piece of whole grain toast with no butter, but I will use apple butter. I’ll drink some coffee. For snacks, maybe I’ll have some almonds or some other form of protein. Lunch and dinner are veggies and a piece of protein. I love eating an apple with a little bit of cheese. I don’t eat close to bedtime.”
SGS: What else do you do to stay fit besides Pilates?
MW: “I love to walk and I take at least three ballet classes a week. Of course, I do Pilates workout every day!
SGS: Switching over to style, what are your favorite skincare tips?
MW: “I use La Mer skin products for my face and body. It’s very dry in Southern California and I find that La Mer keeps my skin hydrated the best. Drinking water is also important for the health of your skin. I have been a sun-bunny most of my life, but that’s changing.”
SGS: Can we throw in a hair care tip?
MW: “I have gone to the same person to cut and color my hair for twenty years! Everyone needs an Art Luna for their hair. A lot of sun is not great for your hair. I think the less you do to your hair the better. I wore extensions for five years and it practically ruined my hair. It took a long time to get normal again.”
Fitness expert Mari Winsor lovingly known as the “Queen of Pilates,” announces the launch of WinsorFitClub.com, an online fitness program that allows members to workout anytime, anywhere just by logging onto www.winsorfitclub.com. At the low cost of $15 per month, WFC members have access to at-home instruction with Mari and her team of expert Pilates trainers. For more details about the launch click here.
Read what Pilates Expert Mari Winsor has to say about working your core (the Powerhouse) as part of your fitness routine in an interview with the Edmington Sun.
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