Joseph Hubertus Pilates (1880-1967)
Joseph H. Pilates (Pi-LAH-teez) was born near Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1880. A sickly child who suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever, he dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger. In his youth, Pilates studied and became proficient at body building, diving, skiing, and gymnastics. By the time he was 14, he was fit enough to pose for anatomical charts.
In 1912, Pilates moved to England where he earned a living initially as a boxer, circus performer, and a self-defense trainer of English detectives. After World War 1 broke out two years later, he was designated an "enemy alien" and interned with other Germans at a camp in Lancaster and later on the Isle of Man. Pilates became a nurse in the camp and trained other internees in physical fitness exercises he developed. He was widely credited when none of the inmates succumbed to an influenza epidemic that killed thousands of others in England in 1918.
After the war, Pilates continued his fitness training programs in Hamburg,
Germany, where he honed his methods with the city's police force. In 1926,
disenchanted with working with the German Army, Pilates immigrated to the
United States. On the ship to America, Pilates met his future wife Clara.
Upon arrival, the couple founded a studio in New York City which is in operation
to this day. Joe and his wife personally supervised their clients at the
studio well into the 1960's.
Pilates and his method, which he called "Contrology", soon established a following in the dance community. George Balanchine sent many of his dancers to him and many modern dancers became devoted to this method.
Pilates practiced what he preached and lived a long, healthy life. He died in 1967 at the age of 87 from smoke inhalation due to a fire that took down his apartment building in NY. Today, his methods and exercises are used worldwide by dance companies, theatre groups, and musicians, students at performing arts schools and universities, professional sports teams, spa clients, fitness enthusiasts at health clubs and gyms as well as at physical therapy clinics.
This system of exercise is so easy and safe to use that it is recommended for senior citizens because it tones muscles, improves posture, and helps prevent bone deterioration. It is also excellent for pre-and post natal women. It can help them learn proper breathing and body concentration and recover body shape and tone after pregnancy. It can be used pre and post-rehabilitation; can assist in specific sports and dance training as well as an overall fitness regime. The exercises stimulate the circulatory system, oxygenating the blood, aiding lymphatic drainage and releasing endorphins which are responsible for the "feel-good" factor. The immune system is given a boost to provide greater resistance to disease and illness.