Pilates

There are few names in the history of modern exercise that command as much common recognition as Joseph Pilates. Inventor of the Pilates exercise method, whose devotees are still going strong after eighty years, Joseph Pilates deserves his hard earned reputation in the ranks of those committed to fitness education. Initially building on his first hand experience of practical methods that work in his early turbulent years in Europe during the second world war, Joseph went on to America and see his methods not only be the darling of the east coast dance crowd but finish with the west coast movie stars at his feet also.

Born in Poland, Joseph Pilates found himself swept up in the turmoil of the Second World War and interred in a concentration camp. His exercise routines for his fellow inmates served as an encouragement not only to the morale of the people but physically proved useful when during a particularly virulent outbreak of illnesses, none of his people became sickly. His method had proven itself in the face of incredible demands. When the war ended he was intent on a new life in America, and took his fitness ideas with him.

Settling in New York, Joseph began a small studio and attracted dancers. His reputation with the dancing elite was cemented when no lesser dance luminary than George Balanchine appointed him the training person for the New York City ballet. His clientele grew and swelled with other clients from top society. Not content to allow New York alone to benefit, his students help spread the method westwards.

Arriving on the West Coast, students quickly set to work in building that all elusive celebrity clientele that characterized the early Pilates devotee. Film stars and executives alike flocked to the studios to learn the secrets of Joseph Pilates. While legal wrangling have been fruitless in securing any direct line of succession for the Pilates method as a proprietary exercise methodology, the work of Joseph Pilates lives on in a powerful way in this modern day exercising phenomenon.

With the more recent advent of instructional DVDs by the likes of celebrity trainers like Mari Winsor and those available through the Stott, Supreme and Zone Pilates publishing houses, people are spoiled for choice. Where once the only way to lay your hands on the precious fitness secrets of the demanding man from Poland was to attend special studios, now the good news of core training and Pilates disciplines are available to all. Surely Joseph himself would be grateful to see how many people have benefited from his tireless work to improve the human condition (and form). So heres to three cheers for Joseph Pilates!

Pilates |