History of Pilates
German-born fitness innovator Joseph H. Pilates (1881-1967) developed the Pilates exercise system in the 1920s. Born in 1880 with asthma, and after suffering other childhood illnesses, Pilates spent his life committed to restoring his health and body condition.
He fine-tuned his exercise regimen while interned in England during the First World War, claiming it helped him and his fellow internees resist an influenza epidemic. Working as an orderly, he engineered a way to rig springs to hospital beds to offer resistance exercises to bedridden patients, and thus the seed for Pilates equipment was planted
He fine-tuned his exercise regimen while interned in England during the First World War, claiming it helped him and his fellow internees resist an influenza epidemic. Working as an orderly, he engineered a way to rig springs to hospital beds to offer resistance exercises to bedridden patients, and thus the seed for Pilates equipment was planted
In 1923, Pilates moved to the United States. He settled in New York City, where he opened a studio and started training and rehabilitating professional dancers. With a background in yoga, Zen meditation, martial arts and other ancient fitness techniques, plus some success as a gymnast, diver and boxer, Joseph Pilates devised a unique sequence of movements that worked the mind and muscle in harmony.
Originally, Pilates developed a series of mat (floor) exercises designed to build abdominal strength and body control. He then built various pieces of equipment to enhance the results of his expanding repertoire of exercises.
Originally, Pilates developed a series of mat (floor) exercises designed to build abdominal strength and body control. He then built various pieces of equipment to enhance the results of his expanding repertoire of exercises.
In 1945, Joseph Pilates published ‘Return to Life Through Contrology, which described his philosophical approach to exercise. Soon, some of his students began opening studios of their own - some making subtle adaptations to the method - and word of Pilates slowly spread.
Over the decades, Pilates developed more than 500 exercises, which he originally called Contrology, but have since come to be known as the Pilates method. Over the years, many teachers have developed new exercises based on Pilates concepts, or have modified old exercises to make them more effective and to apply what we now know about the body.
Over the decades, Pilates developed more than 500 exercises, which he originally called Contrology, but have since come to be known as the Pilates method. Over the years, many teachers have developed new exercises based on Pilates concepts, or have modified old exercises to make them more effective and to apply what we now know about the body.
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