Joseph Pilates Our Founder

Pilates was a sickly child

Joseph Pilates was born in Dusseldorf in 1880 and despite being a rather sickly child who suffered from rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever, he lived to the grand age of 87.

Determined to overcome his fragility and develop a strong healthy body, Joseph Pilates studied body building, diving, skiing and gymnastics. Drawing from this athletic training, he devised a series of exercises that enabled him not only to improve his health, but to develop a body that was strong and fit enough to pose for anatomical charts.

In 1912 Pilates moved to England and began training detectives at Scotland Yard. However, when the war broke out, because of his nationality, he was interned in Lancashire and then on the Isle of Man. Pilates spent the duration of the war helping out in the camp infirmary and further developing his techniques. He devised makeshift exercise aids by attaching bedsprings in various positions so that patients recovering from injuries could exercise safely. Modern versions of this equipment can be found in pilates studios today and are known as reformers.

Famous Pilates clients

In the late 1920′s Joseph Pilates emigrated to the United States where he opened an exercise studio that became popular with dancers, actors, gymnasts and athletes. By the 1960′s his clients included famous names such as George Balanchine, The New York City Ballet and Martha Graham’s Modern Dance Company.

Joseph Pilates wrote several books on fitness but never set up an official training programme. The result was that his disciples went on to teach their own individual version of his method, many of which are still evidenced today.

Pilates Technique

Pilates technique in the 21st Century is still firmly rooted in Joseph Pilates’ original teachings. But the advances of exercise science have enabled teachers to adapt the pilates technique into a safe effective form of exercise, that can be practiced by almost everyone. Pilates is here to stay.

Pilates Workouts

In terms of the actual pilates workouts there are numerous benefits of pilates, that will become almost immediately apparent once you start the practice and exercises of the various forms thereof. Pilates workouts have transformed and evolved since that of which Joseph Pilates, the creator of pilates, initially devised and created. Essentially the practice of this exercise is to provide a centred and controlled approach to exercise, which in turn adds to your weight loss efforts, whilst further maintaining a low impact routine, which is for all practical purposes suitable for most people.

Relaxing Pilates Workouts

As you conduct the relaxing pilates workouts you will come to realise that the mind and body become closely attuned to each other, realising one of the most important benefits of pilates, this in turn goes to create the centred feeling and overall well being of the individual.

The awareness factor makes one consider a variety of processes and raises the level of control of your body on a conscious level, ensuring that you maximise the pilates workouts for the benefit of your objectives.

As you progress with your scheduled workouts, you will in fact realise that many of the benefits of pilates are optimised due to the controlled nature of the exercise, as well as the breathing routine that should accompany your efforts. This in itself is one of the best stress relievers and raises that level of consciousness around your body, posture and so forth.

Flexibility, toning and a more lean muscle structure are also part of the benefits of pilates, that are realised from consistent pilates workouts provide an element fitness too, with added energy contributing to your sense of wellbeing.

The important difference that is worth mentioning in terms of the benefits of pilates, is that the flexibility of the muscles, and not the necessary building thereof, which provides that toning. This adds to the mobility of the joints and muscles, and as stated on a low impact basis.

One should furthermore bear in mind that the pilates workouts are an even and balanced approach to the body, incorporating the entire body, as well as the core of the body, being that of the abdominal area. If you conduct your pilates workouts correctly, the entire body stands to benefit, and which will all go towards that sense of control, and balance which naturally filters through to the rest of your life.

The benefits of pilates, from consistent and regular workouts are not a magic formula that you can do once or twice and expect immediate results, like anything it requires commitment and consistency, however once you get into the routine, you will truly realise and feel these benefits of pilates. These pilates workouts can also be kept to a minimum, or even done in the comfort of your own home, should you be too busy, however once you get going you will come to realise how these impact upon your life and the resulting feeling of wellbeing that will manifest within your core and providing these benefits of pilates.