Pretty Healthy: Mari Winsor's 'Pilates for Pink'

EXERCISE CAN'T HALT HEREDITY, says Pilates pioneer Mari Winsor. But having a healthy body helps tackle any disease. That's why she developed "Pilates for Pink" ($15, Gaiam). A dollar from the sale of each DVD goes to breast cancer research, but Winsor hopes there's a more immediate effect in anyone who tries the workout: a sense of newfound strength and joy.

» EXPRESS: What is it about Pilates that makes it beneficial for improving health?
» WINSOR: Pilates, to me, is the most perfect form of exercise. It's helped me through some bad times. I have aspergillosis, which means I'm allergic to black mold. Doctors thought it was asthma for the longest time. When I was finally diagnosed, and my doctor saw how much phlegm had accumulated, he wanted to know how I had managed to live. So that deep breathing kept me alive.

» EXPRESS: What was the initial appeal?
» WINSOR: I've been a professional dancer for 25 years, so I like to move in a controlled way. And it made me feel good — that's a big plus. It's something you can do every day and not be too sore.

» EXPRESS: This workout makes use of a resistance band. Why include that?
» WINSOR: Joseph Pilates invented mat work first. He believed in creating resistance in your own body. But with equipment, he was able to add more resistance, and the results came faster.

With the band, you don't even need to be on the equipment. It reacts like a big rubber band. If you just let it go, it'll snap. If you did the same thing with your muscles, you wouldn't be in very good shape. By holding onto the band, you end up doubling the results. When you do an exercise right, you don't need to do 50,000 reps to feel it. You don't need to do more than 10.

» EXPRESS: What's the most effective move?
» WINSOR: The side kick series with the band. Do it 10 days in a row and the shape of your legs will change. I've seen it on myself. You're keeping the rest of the body still while isolating the leg in the hip socket.

» EXPRESS: You've been doing this a long time. How do you keep it interesting?
» WINSOR: I'm a highly motivated workout junkie. I don't get bored doing the same workout. You can always lengthen your leg more. I can get better every day. It's like doing a Broadway show — different every time.

Photo courtesy GAIAM