To understand
better how and why the exercise method we know as Pilates came about as a highly acclaimed way to keep a body in top form, we need to meet the man whom founded this set of body changing movements. Take a moment for this very interesting read!
the History of Joseph Pilates
Pilates Technique
http://www.josephpilates.com/
Read full article here: http://www.josephpilates.com/
"Joseph Humbertus Pilates was a man who believed completely in his method
and practiced what he prescribed to others well into his eighties. Even
as an older man he was quite robust and vital until his death, at the
age of 87."
"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. “Take a horse,” he later said in discussing body
conditioning, “If a man wants to race him, he keeps him in top form. He
makes the horse move. Why not keep humans in top form too?” 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. By the
age of fourteen he had sculpted his physique to such an extent that he
was posing for anatomical charts."
"Joseph and Clara 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,” as some called him affectionately. Joseph also taught his mat
work at Jacob’s Pillow in the summer to young dancers in Becket,
Massachusetts. His hour-long classes began with deep breathing--a
fundamental element of the Pilates method."
"In 1938, dancer Eve Gentry commenced studies with Joseph and Clara, and
she taught alongside them until 1968. She then relocated to Santa Fe,
New Mexico and opened a studio. Carola Trier came to Joseph Pilates
because of a non-stage related injury that kept her from performing in
1940. In the late 1950s, she opened her own studio of Contrology in New
York, with Joe’s blessings."
"Joseph’s obituary, appearing in the New York Times in 1967, reads like an
advertisement for his methods. He is described as a white-maned lion
with steel blue eyes (one was glass eye from a boxing mishap), and
mahogany skin, and as limber in his 80’s as a teenager."
