Building Solid Foundations for a Stronger Body

stability, pilates, surrey, ewell, epsom, banstead, leatherhead, ashtead, chessington, joint, back, pain, posture, neck, shoulder, pelvic, floor, stomach, abdominals, muscles, spine, exercise, stretching, imogen, bennett, core, relaxation, alexander,

Joseph Pilates

Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born near Dusseldorf in 1880.  He was a sickly child who suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, he dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger.  He died at the grand old age of 87.

Joseph had no formal training in physical therapy but looked at elements of various activities to develop a system of exercise that became his trademark.  From self-defence to circus training J Pilates was by no means conventional in his approach to physical fitness.

In 1912 Joseph Pilates came to England, where he earned his living with skills related to his physical fitness.  Amongst his many jobs was that of circus performer!  When the First World War broke out he became a nurse in a prisoner of war camp renowned for his physical activity programme that was believed to have spared the lives of men in his care as they survived a massive influenza epidemic that killed 1000s.  His work with war veterans, including those with injuries and even loss of limbs, resulted in him gaining knowledge of rehabilitation.

In 1926 Joseph Pilates moved to America and met his wife Clara.  He went on to open an exercise studio on Eighth Avenue and become known to virtually every dancer in New York.

Joseph Pilates was always ahead of his time if not somewhat quirky.  However his philosophy was on the integration of the mind and body.  Therefore his techniques were a combination of physical and mental conditioning.  As with many true geniuses Pilates never did live to reap the benefits of his innovation.  He never set up a formal training programme and his programme of exercises varied from client to client.  Even today we are not sure of what true and pure Pilates really is.  The name and tradition of Pilates is a lengthy one, which was surrounded by litigation in the States for many years.

Web site developed by Colne Innovations Ltd. webmaster@colne-innovations.com