What is Pilates?
Pilates is a full-body, low-impact form of exercise that improves strength, postural alignment, stability, flexibility, and so much more! Pilates is performed on a mat or other various pieces of equipment to ultimately help you move with ease, proper body mechanics and control in everyday life! Due to its low-impact nature, Pilates is beneficial for individuals of all fitness levels across the entire life span!
“Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty not only to attain it but to maintain it." ~ Joseph Pilates
THE HISTORY OF PILATES
Who Created Pilates?
Pilates was developed by a German man named Joseph Pilates. Chronically ill as a child, he was determined to make himself healthy and strong. Starting his journey to become a bodybuilder. He studied anatomy and as many forms of exercises as he could to record and assess the results.
The Method
Joseph lived in Britain at the time of World War I where he began developing his method while working as a nurse. He began experimenting by attaching springs to the beds and creating exercises to help tone and heal wounded soldiers. It was the beginning of our modern-day reformer.
Joseph later moved to America where he opened his first studio in New York, where the practice of pilates began. Pilates reformers were shaped like sliding beds that used springs as resistance. His method was instantly a hit, especially among dancers such as George Balanchine and Isadora Duncan. Dancers found his method to be the most successful form of recovery from their injuries as well as prevent future. From there, popularity spread and the method evolved to where we are today.