What is Pilates?
The Pilates Method is a total body conditioning method of exercises, which was devised by Joseph H. Pilates more than 80 years ago. Pilates' work, otherwise known as Contrology, was designed to strengthen and tone the muscles of the body, improve flexibility, unite the body and the mind, and correct postural deformities.
Pilates Method instruction involves a combination of group mat classes and private sessions utilizing 33 specific mat exercises, the Cadillac, the Reformer, the Low Chair, the Ladder Barrel and the Spine Corrector. One glance and you know this is no ordinary workout, and the equipment (designed by Joseph Pilates himself) gives Pilates its distinctive appeal. In addition to providing support for the entire body, the machines ensure proper alignment and take the pressure off resting muscles by isolating the ones your are working.
The work of Joseph Pilates is best described by means of the following fundamental principles:
- Centering: All movement is initiated from a stable and strong center known as the Powerhouse. The Powerhouse includes the shoulder girdle, the spine, and the pelvic girdle. The space between the bottom of the rib cage extending to the hipbones describes the location of the Powerhouse.
- Concentration: Pay attention to how you move. Visualization and engaging the mind occurs with every movement.
- Control: Physical movement is controlled by the mind.
- Flowing Movements: Movements should be performed slowly and easily flowing from one from one movement to the next.
- Precision: Whenever you exercise, move with thoughtful, precise, yet relaxed movements.
- Breathing: Fuel the movement with a deep voluminous breath. Pilates developed thoracic breathing. Lateral or thoracic breathing is opening the rib cage and filling the lungs to capacity -allowing activity to occur in the deep core muscles. Exhaling all the air allows the Powerhouse to lengthen, creating space for the internal organs to function.
- Relaxation: No movement is performed when the body is tense. Use only muscles required for the movement. Keep all other muscles soft and relaxed.
- Oppositional Energy: During movement, think about two opposing points in your body that stretch apart. Take a stretch deeper by facilitating the stretch with visualization.
- Uniform development: Work the whole body in unison. Develop small underpinning muscles to assist the larger muscles.
Pilates concluded that the balance between a healthy mind, body, and spirit equaled a happier life. He wrote:
"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure."
The History of Joseph Pilates
Joseph Pilates was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1880. He was a frail child who began at a very young age to improve his physical condition. He enjoyed sports such as diving, skiing, gymnastics, boxing, and wrestling. Yoga, Tai Chi, and Martial Arts were also among his physical activities.
He worked very hard developing his body and by the age of 14, he was posing for anatomical charts. In 1912, Pilates migrated to England where he was a circus performer and a trainer of martial arts to police detectives. At the outbreak of World War I, Pilates was placed in an internment camp because of his German nationality. There he developed a fitness program within the camp for his fellow trainees. In 1918, an influenza epidemic killed thousands of people throughout Europe. None of the internees who worked with Joseph Pilates became ill.
After World War I, Joseph Pilates returned to his homeland where the German Kaiser instructed him to develop a fitness regimen for the German Army. He refused the offer and decided to migrate to the United States.
In 1926, Joseph Pilates set sail to his new country. During the journey, Joe met Clara whom he eventually married. Pilates is said to have developed a series of rehabilitative exercises that relieved her arthritic pain. That same year, they opened their New York studio at 939 Eighth Avenue.
The Pilates method soon became popular throughout the dance community. George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Jerome Robbins and Ted Shawn encouraged their dancers to follow the Pilates exercise program. During the summer from 1939 to 1951, Joe and Clara went to teach at Jacob's Pillow, a well-known dance camp in the Berkshire Mountains.
The Pilates studio became the foremost fitness center of New York City, serving the rich and famous. Joe Pilates trained clients at this location until the late 1960's.
In 1966, a fire damaged the New York studio. When Joe (at age 86) went to inspect the damage in a back storage room, the burnt floorboards gave way. Joe fell through the floor, but caught a beam and pulled himself out of danger.
At the age of 87, Joseph Pilates died. It was thought that his death was the result of smoke inhalation suffered during the fire. His wife Clara continued to train at the studio until 1971 when she turned the studio over to Romana Kryzanowska, a long time student of Joe and Clara. Romana presently perpetuates the integrity of their original work by teaching worldwide workshops.
Today the Pilates Method and exercises are used all over the world. We at Laughing Bodies Studio are committed to teaching his methods as he intended for the benefit of all our students.
"It is the spirit which shapes the body!"
—Joseph H. Pilates
Bibliography
Alpers, Amy Taylor and Segal, Rachel Taylor. The Everything Pilates Book. Adams Media Corporation, 2002.
Herdman, Alan. The Pilates Directory. Chartwell Books, Inc., 2004.
Robinson, Lynne and Thomson, Gordon. Body Control. Bainbridge Books, 1997.
Siler, Brooke. The Pilates Body. Broadway Books, 2000.