Pilates History

The Pilates Method

The Pilates Method of the exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s. It was originally used as a rehabilitation program for prisoners of war and was later found to be of great benefit to anyone seeking a higher level of fitness. The work was kept alive over the years by a small group of Pilates devoted students until it’s popularity blossomed in the past couple of decades. Exercise science caught up with the principles that Pilates had been teaching all along, and now you can enjoy the rich evolution of the Pilates work available today.

 
About Joseph H. Pilates

Joseph H. Pilates (1881-1967) was a German-born man of Greek descent who came to New York in the 1930’s and developed his method working initially with dancers, helping and influencing famous artists like Martha Graham. Pilates studied yoga, Zen meditation, martial arts, and ancient fitness forms and had a background in gymnastics, diving, and boxing. His interest in physical fitness stemmed from a determination to strengthen his own body and improve his health after a sickly childhood. Thus he devised a set of exercises that worked mind and muscles in harmony.