The Pilates method is a mindful system of exercise and movement education. With a focus on the breath it is designed to build strength, control and balance from the inside out. It develops awareness through concentration and precision in movement, supporting the development of core control, joint alignment, flexibility, postural strength, endurance and coordination.
Pilates also supports deeper physiological health. Through improved breathing patterns it enhances oxygenation of the cells while also encouraging better circulation, digestion and lymphatic drainage. The result is a method that not only conditions the body but also supports overall wellbeing and vitality.
Joseph Pilates was born in 1883 near Düsseldorf, Germany. As a child he suffered from poor health including asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. Determined to strengthen his body he studied various forms of exercise and developed a lifelong interest in movement, health and rehabilitation.
During the First World War he was interned on the Isle of Man. There he began developing his training system and used springs and resistance to help injured and bed-bound individuals move and recover. These early experiments laid the foundation for his later equipment including the Reformer.
After the war Pilates returned to Germany before emigrating to the United States where he met his wife Clara. In 1926 they opened the first Pilates studio in New York City. His method quickly gained popularity particularly among dancers and performers seeking strength, control and injury rehabilitation.
Pilates developed a comprehensive system of mat work exercises along with specialised exercises and apparatus such as the Universal Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda Chair. He called his system “Contrology,” focusing on whole-body coordination, core strength, and mindful movement. He also published his ideas in his books ‘Your Health’ and ‘Return to life through Contrology’.
His method continues to be practised worldwide today, forming a lasting legacy in health, fitness and rehabilitation.
The Pilates Method is so adaptable that it can be tailored to the specific needs and requirements of each individual to deliver outcomes and results. There are many benefits you can enjoy: