MatWorkz Pilates Studio - Winter Park, Orlando

MatWorkz Pilates and GYROTONIC® Studio in Orlando Winter Park

Dieting disguised as wellness

I saw this article recently and found the wording interesting https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/08/opinion/sunday/women-dieting-wellness.html The author makes the statement, “That said, I am probably never going to love my body, and that’s O.K. I think loving our bodies is not only an unrealistic goal in our appearance-obsessed society but also a limiting one.”  I have to disagree with her.  […]

Longevity in Movement

On a recent driving vacation I had the luxury of listening to some podcasts.  Outside Magazine did a really interesting podcast on why some athletes burnout young and others can endure the test of time.  I know as I age I have found varying what I do has been a good recipe for me.  Also, […]

Pain and your Mind

I have been using a somatic approach to how I teach pilates for about 10 years now.  It is good to see we are moving past the old paradigms of pain therapy.  I am always amazed when a client comes in with a chronic pain pattern and within one lesson they get relief.  The power […]

Movement & Pain

Here is a simple article on how movement can help with pain. https://www.plantcityobserver.com/article/focus-on-fitness-exercise-for-pain-relief

G.I.F.T.-Gift It Forward Today

For those of you who know me, I am a big fan of the online learning platform  http://www.coursera.org  A couple of years ago I audited a Positive Psychology course; it’s a new, blooming field in Psychology which focuses on how our positive emotions affect us. The concept has become a rich resource in personal and […]

Pilates vs Gyrotonic Expansion System

I first wrote this article below in 2009 for Pilates Digest.  You can find it here http://www.pilatesdigest.com/pilates-vs-gyrotonic-expansion-system/    There really is not much I would change about the article.  I would add Pilates is more about uniformity and precision of the body.  GYROTONIC® is less so. I do not use the word “core” any longer when I […]

8 Things About the Gyrotonic Expansion System

I am usually ahead of curves, but after over a decade of teaching this movement system, I am surprised it is still a novelty. GYROTONIC® originator, Juliu Horvath, developed his system after having several injuries from his dance career.  His work is still evolving and I’ve seen several adjustments since I have been teaching his method.  With that said, here are 8 things to […]

Posture and Mindfulness

Turns out our parents were right. Sitting up straight is an important skill to achieve. However, the definition of what “up straight” is can be relative to where our bodies are used to being in space. Yes, we need to have balance between the front, back, and sides of our bodies. We need to have […]

Party like it is 1999!

1999 seems a long time ago, but in the same instance time has flown. As Einstein said, time is relative! When one of my teachers came to me and said, ” Deborah, no one knows where we are.” It gave me pause. So some 18 years after we opened the first studio location in Hannibal Square, […]

5 Reasons to try Pilates

There’s no secret here: Pilates is good for EVERY body. And I do mean everybody and here are 5 reasons to try Pilates today! If you’re still wondering what Pilates is, that’s OK – you’re not alone. It’s still a somewhat misunderstood corner of the exercise world, even though it’s one of the fastest-growing areas […]

  • I enjoy an active and healthy life because of the incredible instructors at MatWorkz. Their knowledge about the marriage of anatomy and exercise is demonstrated in every class. When I leave the studio, I always feel great! My body and mind have been strengthened. MatWorkz is amazing!
    Nora Hickey
    Orlando, Fl
  • I’m entering my 12th year as a student at MatWorkz Pilates & GYROTONIC® Studio. Deborah Watson and her dedicated instructors care about my physical and emotional welfare. It shows in their passion displayed in every class. They ensure proper form, technique, and makes every class more unique than the last. The studio is well equipped and is full of positive energy. Nothing else in Central Florida compares to this studio!
    Christine Stewart
    MAITLAND, FL
  • At MatWorkz, Deborah and her staff are a group of dedicated, skilled professionals who provide you with individualized attention regardless of age, body type or athletic ability in their warm and fully equipped studio. Participating at MatWorkz for 16 years has been super beneficial for me – Increasing both my strength and flexibility while addressing any specific issues that may occur with knowledge and patience.
    Gail Thomas
    Lake Nona, Fl
  • Never have I been as impressed with an instructor’s knowledge and dedication to her craft as I have with my experience with Lisa. Her dedication to my Pilates training has improved my personal body awareness, core strength, flexibility and ability to prevent neck and back injury from golf and other activities of daily living. Though I don’t have the “six-pack” abs, I feel stronger whether I sit, stand or move purposefully.  
    Kerry Schwartz
    Orlando, Fl
  • I started private lessons with Lisa almost one year ago. After sitting behind a computer for over ten hours a day for the past twelve years, my body was craving movement. I was concerned that I had trouble getting out of my desk chair and that my balance was not what it used to be. I quickly realized working with Lisa three times a week was exactly what I needed. I was not born with the workout gene, but I quickly fell in love with Pilates: building core strength, seeing my posture improve and feeling more confident about my balance.
    Randye Falk
    Maitland,Fl
  • I am so grateful to have found MatWorkz, and Lisa especially.  I suffer from chronic vertigo and for years, it severely limited what kind of exercise I could do.  I had lost so much strength.  Lisa works with me to adapt every exercise in a way that I can do it. She's super kind, very funny, and really warm and supportive.  I have gained so much strength and flexibility, it has greatly improved my every day life. I've become much more active, even starting to play tennis. I can't recommend Lisa highly enough.
    Maggie Lloyd
    Winter Park, FL
  • MatWorkz is a top quality Pilates facility with up to date equipment and a very professional atmosphere. I've been practicing Pilates with Lisa Ryan for a year and a half and have benefitted immensely from her depth of knowledge and commitment to my progress. Lisa and her teachings have improved my strength, coordination, and flexibility all of which are so important in preventing injury. I highly recommend MatWorkz Studio.
    Lisa Prast
    Winter Park, FL
  • MatWorkz is a well-designed and very attractive Pilates studio. The team, especially Deborah and Lisa, are extremely knowledgeable about Pilates and match their expertise perfectly to each client’s needs. The experience is both challenging and comfortable as they are excellent at motivating each client but also understanding and adapting to physical limitations. I feel so much better, stronger and taller every time I finish a work-out at MatWorkz!
    Robin Suarez
    Orlando, FL
  • 5
    My husband and I have been doing Pilates at MatWorkz for over eight years. Leslie is an amazing instructor and is always challenging us and keeping our workouts innovative and interesting. Leslie has helped us prepare for and recover from surgeries as we age as athletes. Pilates is a means to a healthy and vibrant lifestyle as you age. As former marathon runners and triathletes we were looking for a place to maintain our core strength for our athletic lifestyle. As a result, we continue to enjoy running hiking, biking, and ropes courses as much as we did as a young married couple. The studio is bright, clean and has all the latest equipment. If you are looking for a personalized place to work on your fitness goals, we highly recommend MatWorkz as a studio to stay fit, be challenged, and feel welcomed and appreciated as a client verses a membership number.  
    Don & Julie Bieger
    Winter Park, FL