Who was Joseph Pilates?

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880 and was sickly as a child. His frail condition inspired him to improve his health through exercise and heal the ailments he was stricken with as a child, one of which was asthma. Around 1914, Joseph was living in England and had become an accomplished diver, skier, and boxer. At the outbreak of WWI, he was placed under forced interment with other German nationals in Lancaster, England. It was here that Joseph became a nurse and designed exercise apparatus for bedridden patients by attaching springs to hospital beds. This system formed the foundation for his unique style of exercise, which he brought to New York City when he opened his first Pilates Studio on 1926.

Pilates exercise will...

• Improve strength, flexibility, balance and posture
• Increase muscle tone, bone density and lung capacity
• Improve circulation and the immune system
• Mitigate back pain and improve joint health
• Increase energy and stamina
• Increase body awareness
• Restore alignment and alleviate muscle tension

So what exactly is the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning?

The Pilates method is an exercise system which focuses on improving flexibility, strength, and balance for the whole body using specialized apparatus. It is a program that couples the intellect with the movement. You have to concentrate on what you are doing in order to do it properly, therefore, challenging the mind as well as the body. Pilates is for people of all of ages, all fitness levels and it can be tailored for anyone.