The origin of Pilates
Today, Pilates is widely recognized for its broad applicability to people of all ages and physical abilities, as well as for the results it delivers. Thousands of studios, health clubs, and physical rehabilitation clinics use the methodology developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Moreover, it is considered essential training for professional athletes, many Olympic athletes, and is the preferred exercise for actors, singers, and models.
Creator of the method
Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in Mönchengladbach, Germany, in 1883. As a child, Joe suffered from asthma and other ailments. To improve his health, he immersed himself in physical exercise and studied various exercise regimens to expand his knowledge. Inspired by the classical Greek ideal of a balanced man in body, mind, and spirit, Joe developed his own exercise system. As he grew older, he became an avid skier, diver, gymnast, and boxer.
In 1912, he traveled to England and worked as a self-defense instructor at Scotland Yard. During World War I, he was interned as an "enemy alien." During his internment, Joe refined his exercise system and trained other internees. He innovated by attaching springs to hospital beds, allowing bedridden patients to perform resistance exercises. After surviving an influenza epidemic in England in 1918, Joe became convinced of the effectiveness of his exercise system. Upon his release, Joe returned to Germany, where his exercise method gained popularity in the dance community.
In 1926, he emigrated to the United States with Clara Zeuner, with whom he opened a fitness studio in New York City. Over the years, Joe trained many dancers, including George Balanchine. After Joe's death in 1967, his students continued teaching and spreading his Pilates method. The "elders," as they are called, such as Romana Kryzanowska, Ron Fletcher, and Kathy Grant, opened their own studios and brought Pilates to Hollywood and other places beyond New York.
Concentration on breathing and mindfulness during Pilates exercises can improve mental focus and reduce stress. The connection between the mind and body is a fundamental principle in Pilates, promoting overall mental well-being.
