Joseph H Pilates, 1880 – 1967. Born; Dusseldorf, Germany

Through exercise Joseph Pilates managed to triumph over his childhood poor health.

In his quest to overcome asthma, rheumatic fever and the ever present threat of developing tuberculosis he turned to exercise to overcome his problems.

Early 20th century Germany was a hub of dance and exercise development. Teachers like Eugen Sandow, the bodybuilder, Friedrick Jahn, who designed the parallel bars and rings to train gymnasts and Per Kenrick Ling, who devised a system of gentle rhythmic and free flowing floor exercises, would have all influenced him.

He was so successful in his training that by the age of 14 his physique was so well developed that he posed as a model for anatomical drawings.

Joseph Pilates went on to become an accomplished boxer, gymnast, skier, diver and circus performer.

During the 1912-14 war he was working in England and was interned as a German national. In the camps he began to train other prisoners of war and patients in his mat work exercises. He devised makeshift exercise aides by attaching bed springs in various positions to rehabilitate patients who were recovering from injuries. Based on this work he later went on to patent “The Reformer” in 1925. Modern versions of this piece of equipment can be found in Pilates studios today, helping to tone and target specific muscles with the use of springs and pulleys. This is a fantastic aid for elite athletes and helping in the recovery of injuries.

In 1923 he immigrated to the USA. During that crossing he met his future wife, Clara, a nurse. Together they opened a gym in New York in a building that also housed New York City Ballet.

Inspired by the technique of the ballet dancers who flocked to his studio he applied elements of dance training to his method. He would also have been aware of the Yoga craze sweeping America (brought over by Swami Vivekananda, a yogi from India who toured the USA in the early 20th century to promote yoga).

Like all great teachers he was willing to incorporate other methods into his teaching. He constantly learnt from his pupils, amalgamating different aspects of physical exercise, blending and refining techniques until he came up with his own unique programme.

He drew inspiration from both eastern and western regimes. From the east he absorbed controlled breathing, contemplation, relaxation and mind/body connections. From the west the emphasis was on strength and endurance training, muscle tone and the intensity of strong flowing movements.

His method unites the whole body and mind by concentrating on “how” you are doing an exercise. From using the smallest and deepest endurance muscles to the largest superficial muscles. This produces a strong, supple well-aligned stress free body.

In 1934 he published a booklet called “Your Health” and in 1945 he described some of his exercises/routines known as classic mat in a book called “Return to Life Through Contrology”.

In 1967 Joseph Pilates died, and his work was carried on by his wife Clara and their students, who passed on his system to us.