The Man
Pilates is a unique system of movement and exercise created and developed in the early 1900’s by German-born circus performer, Joseph Herbertus Pilates. As a frail child, he personally triumphed over a succession of physical ailments including asthma and rheumatic fever. He later grew to become an accomplished skier, gymnast and boxer.
The Exercises
Pilates was interned in England during World War 1 for his German citizenship, and during this time became a nurse. While rehabilitating injured patients, he began to create and develop his unique exercise regime by attaching springs to hospital beds to provide the resistance needed to develop both muscular strength and flexibility to help support the joints and bones of those injured.
This system formed the foundation for his style of body conditioning which he brought to his New York studio in 1926. Joseph used his specially designed equipment to dramatically improve the strength, flexibility, coordination and posture of his clientele, many of whom were elite athletes and dancers.
His work quickly gained popularity with dance legends such as Martha Graham, George Balachaine (co-founder of NYCB) and Alvin Aily.
Although the fitness industry and medical profession have only recently began to recognize the benefits of the Pilates discipline, many dancers have used the exercises and training as an integral part of their training for many years.“The centre of your body is the centre of your power. The body should work in unison – not as separate parts, with all movement stemming from your centre.” Joseph Pilates
Joseph Pilates referred to what we now term as our ‘core’ muscles as the ‘powerhouse’ for the whole body. He rightly believed that the abdominals initiated every movement. To maintain this strong centre, Pilates believed you need an equal balance of strength between the abs and the back.