About Joseph H. Pilates
Joseph Pilates was born in 1880 near Dusseldorf Germany. As a child, Joseph suffered from several health ailments: asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. In an effort to restore his own health, he studied anatomy books and reinforced what he learned by observing animals in the woods. Joseph studied Eastern disciplines, like yoga and martial arts, and blended them with more Western forms of physical activities, such as bodybuilding, gymnastics, boxing and recreational sports; even incorporating ancient Greek and Roman forms of fitness practices.
In 1912 he moved to England where he continued to box and taught self-defense at police schools and Scotland Yard. When Britain entered World War I, his German citizenship led to his imprisonment along with other German nationals as "enemy aliens." Despite the unfortunate circumstances, this was a fundamental time in the development of his method. During his imprisonment Joseph taught his exercises to fellow compatriots, and later he acted as a nurse-physiotherapist of sorts. Here he developed the first concepts for his innovative machines by disassembling the camp bunk beds and using the springs as a form of resistance to rehabilitate the injured and bed-ridden. One of the greatest examples of the immense benefits of practicing Joseph Pilates' holistic approach to health is the outbreak of a terrible influenza in 1918. The 1918 influenza epidemic decimated populations all over the world; areas of close co-habitations of people, such as internment camps, were especially hard hit. However, all those who followed Joseph's routine survived due to their good health. After the war Joseph returned to Germany. When he was pressured to train the New German Army, Joseph chose to leave Germany. He immigrated to New York. With her wife he opened a fitness studio. They taught their method of using the mind to control the muscles to a devout following in New York. Local dancers came regularly to heal injuries quickly and improve their strength while maintaining their flexibility. George Balanchine and Martha Graham became devotees to Joseph Pilates' method and often sent their dance students to "Uncle Joe".
Joseph Pilates was died at the age of 87; his death was due to smoke inhalation from a fire in a restaurant below his studio. After his death, his wife managed the studio, followed by the lead of their most talented follower Romana Kyrzanowska. Power Pilates was founded in 1989 with one goal - to provide classical pilates training that honours the integrity of the method developed by Joseph Pilates.
Dance companies all over the world use Pilates' exercises to keep their dancers in top form. Today his method is taught around the world in studios, gyms, in universities and even grade schools. Due to the attention the mainstream public gives to Hollywood celebrities, the name Pilates is now a household word thanks to the many film and television stars who credit Pilates for their toned-physique.
"Contrology (Pilates) is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit. Through Contrology you first purposefully acquire complete control of your own body and then through proper repetition of its exercises you gradually and progressively acquire that natural rhythm and coordination associated with all your subconscious activities. " Joseph H. Pilates, Return to Life Through Contrology published in 1945
