THE
PILATES 
METHOD

"This world of ours is in turmoil and no one is positive of the outcome,
and it is now,
more than ever before, more practicable and sensible to be in a perfect state of health, both in body and mind,
in order to more successfully confront the problems continually arising."

Joseph Pilates, 1939

Joseph H. Pilates - Ahead of this time

The Pilates method is a system of movement and therapeutic exercise developed over a span of 60 years by German born athlete and physical therapy pioneer, Joseph H. Pilates. He was an athlete and physical therapy pioneer.

Utilizing specialized equipment he designed, the method works by toning muscles as well as balancing muscular force at the joint level. It stimulates circulation through facilitating muscular flexibility, joint range of motion and proper musculoskeletal alignment. Additionally, it promotes new neuro-muscular patterns, heightened body awareness, and more precise coordination. All these things combine to help prevent future re-injury and reduce - even in some cases alleviate - chronic pain altogether.
After beginning Pilates exercises one can expect to gain more control of their bodies during everyday life activities. Pilates is a full body-conditioning program with a series of approximately 500 movements performed on the mat or apparatus. Through systematic practice of these exercises, Pilates has proven itself invaluable in the fitness field, and is an important addition to professional sports, physical training and rehabilitation. Pilates is a safe, sensible exercise system helping people look and feel their very best, regardless of age or condition. 

Joseph Pilates was born in 1880 in Germany. Living as a performer and boxer in England, he was placed under forced internment at the outbreak of WWI. There, he taught fellow camp membership concepts and exercises developed over 20 years of study and apprenticeship in yoga and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens. He called this Contrology. When he was transferred to another camp, he became a nurse to the many diseased and injured internees. Here, he built equipment to rehabilitate his patients,taking springs from the beds and rigging them to create resistance and movement for the bedridden: the Universal Reformer.
After the war, Pilates returned to Germany and trained the Hamburger police and the ballet ensemble.
In 1925 he was invited to train the German army, but immigrated to the USA instead.
Upon the arrival in New York City he and his wife Clara opened a gym close to a number of ballet and dance schools and the boxing gym. This proximity made Contrology an intrinsic part of many dancers' training and rehab work.
Although Pilates was a health guru, he was renowned for liking cigars, whiskey, and women. He believed in fitness supporting your life's goals and was seen running on Manhattan streets, in the dead of winter, in a swimsuit!
In January 1966 there was a fire in his studio. Pilates tried to save everything and fell through the burnt out floorboards, hanging from a beam for some time until rescued by the firefighters. It is assumed that this incident led to his death in 1967, at the age of 87.


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