What is Pilates and Where did it Originate?

Pilates is more than a trend! It is an exercise method developed over 70 years ago by Josef (Joseph) Hubertus Pilates. It is pronounced (Pi-LAH-teez). The benefits of Pilates include increased flexibility and core strength. Through Pilates, one will find an increase in overall physical strength and a significant decline in stress. Combined with deep, coordinated breathing this method is designed to stretch and strengthen muscles without putting stress on joints and ligaments. Pilates is designed to strengthen the deep abdominal and back muscles, while increasing overall physical strength. Beyond its overall conditioning benefits, Pilates is also adaptable for the rehabilitation of injury, and can be used to focus on strength training, flexibility and range of motion. The benefits are many including: an increase in energy, relief of pain due to tight muscles or stress, enhanced posture and biomechanical function and an enhanced sense of well-being.

Josef Pilates, born in 1880, was stricken with many illnesses as a child growing up in Germany. He began research on how to condition the body. He studied various forms of exercise ranging from yoga to Roman wrestling. As a teenager he was able to pose for anatomical charts. He overcame his sickly childhood and became an athlete; excelling in gymnastics, body building, skiing, and diving. Ultimately, he devoted his life to creating a method of exercise encompassing both mental and physical fitness.

His creation of the Pilates method began during World War I at a British internment camp. While there, Pilates invented a version of what is now known as “The Cadillac”, a piece of Pilates exercise equipment. He hooked springs of hospital beds creating a device where even bedridden patients could exercise. He spent his time training other internees while evolving his method of physical fitness. During this time, influenza was infecting Europe. Because his method includes stimulation to the immune system, none of the patients were infected.

While coming to America in the 1920’s, he met his future wife, Clara. Together they opened an exercise studio in New York City. His initial idea was to market himself to boxers and other athletes. However, it wasn’t long before he was training dancers. Such legends of dance as Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, Martha Graham, George Balanchine, Hanya Holm and Jerome Robins began incorporating The Pilates Method in their dance training beginning in the 1940’s. Josef Pilates had achieved prominence in the dance community as George Balanchine directed his injured dancers to him and Martha Graham began to study with him.

Josef Pilates said of his total body conditioning method of exercise: "You will feel better in ten sessions, look better in twenty sessions, and have a completely new body in thirty sessions."