What is Pilates??

The answer is: Pilates is more than exercises!

Born in 1883 Joseph Hubertus Pilates was a German citizen that emigrated to NYC around 1926.

In short, his life began with a childhood plagued by illnesses and experiences of being bullied at school. He overcame his adversities to become an avid gymnast, boxer, performer, and trainer. He also spent time in a beer brewery in his hometown near Dusseldorf. Talk about Jack of all trades! His story is truly inspiring.

Contrology is the original name of what we refer to as 'Pilates'. It is inspired by eastern disciplines such as yoga and martial arts blended with western influences of body building, boxing, gymnastics and recreational sports. It was Pilates' belief that true health could not be attained without the union of the mind, body and spirit. He created a method of physical and mental wellness that integrates the mind and the body to achieve complete health.

There are Pilates machines??

In addition to the mat work that most people correlate with Pilates there is also a level of Pilates choreography using various different apparatuses. As with any great inventor's story comes a history lesson!

Right before World War I, Joe was working in England as a self defense trainer for the Scotland Yard. At the onset of the war he was forced into internment being a German national. During this time he was able refine his exercises by rigging springs to hospital beds enabling bedridden patients to exercise against resistance. These innovations later developed into the designs of the current machines called the Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair.

The efficacy of his exercise regimen was further validated to Pilates when his trainees were among the only groups that survived the influenza epidemic in England of 1918. Thanks to the core Pilates principle of Diaphragmatic Breathing of course!

Myth: Pilates began as an exercise for dancers.

Pilates' association with dancers began when he opened a studio on the same block as the New York City Ballet on 8th Ave. The lengthening and toning results that the technique provides was complimentary to the silhouettes desired by dancers. As popularity grew among dancers and performers, Pilates experienced an explosion into celebrity interest, thanks Madonna! This coupled with the phenomena of the baby boomer population seeking alternative methods of exercise, that by the 90s Pilates came to the forefront of mainstream health and fitness.

Joseph Pilates knew his ideas would catch on: "my work is 50 years ahead of my time". His experiences taught him to believe that the modern life-style, bad posture, and inefficient breathing were the roots of poor health.

His answer to these problems was to design a unique series of life enhancing physical exercises to help correct muscular imbalances and improve posture, coordination, balance, strength and flexibility as well as to increase breathing capacity and organ function.

I am continually inspired by this history and legacy of an individual that was dedicated to helping people feel healthy. Hopefully you have a new appreciation for Pilates too ;)