Who was Joseph Pilates?
Joseph Pilates, born on December 9, 1883, in Mönchengladbach, Germany, is best known for developing the fitness and rehabilitation method that bears his name – Pilates. His life and work have left an indelible mark on the world of physical fitness and well-being. Here is a closer look at Joseph Pilates, his background, and his contributions:
Early Life and Health Struggles:
Joseph Pilates grew up as a frail and sickly child, suffering from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. These health challenges were the impetus for his lifelong dedication to physical fitness and well-being. He was determined to overcome his ailments and become strong and healthy.
Influence of Diverse Disciplines:
Pilates' journey toward health and fitness led him to explore a wide range of physical disciplines. He studied yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, and bodybuilding. His curiosity extended to the realms of anatomy and physiology, which he researched extensively. This diverse knowledge would form the foundation of his innovative approach to exercise.
World War I Internment and the Birth of Pilates:
In 1912 Joseph went to England where he was working as a self-defence instructor for detectives at Scotland Yard, At the outbreak of World War I, Joseph Pilates, found himself interned as an "enemy alien" due to his German nationality. It was during his internment that he began to develop and refine his unique fitness method. He used springs from the hospital beds and his knowledge of body mechanics to devise exercises that helped rehabilitate injured soldiers. These exercises would become the basis for his method, originally known as "Contrology."
Move to the United States and the Pilates Method:
After his release, Joe returned to Germany. His exercise method gained favor in the dance community, primarily through Rudolf von Laban, who created the form of dance notation most widely used today. Hanya Holm adopted many of Joe’s exercises for her modern dance curriculum, and they are still part of the “Holm Technique.” When German officials asked Joe to teach his fitness system to the army, he decided to leave Germany for good.
In 1926, Joe emigrated to the United States. During the voyage he met Clara Zeuner and married soon after. Joe and Clara opened the first Art of Contrology (later called Pilates) Studio in New York City which happened to be in the same building as the New York City Ballet.
He introduced his method, "Contrology," which focused on controlled movements to improve flexibility, strength, and overall health. This marked the beginning of the modern Pilates movement.
Early Clients and Recognition:
Pilates quickly gained popularity, especially among the dance and performing arts communities in New York City. Dancers and athletes appreciated the method's ability to enhance their performance, prevent injuries, and aid in rehabilitation. Notable figures such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine became clients and supporters of Pilates' work.
Publications:
Joseph Pilates published two books "Your Health" in 1934 and "Return to Life Through Contrology" in 1945. This book outlined his exercises and the underlying philosophy. It remains an influential text for Pilates practitioners and enthusiasts.
Joe Pilates published a pamphlet in 1957 detailing the theory and practice of "Contrology" in collaboration with Frederick Rand Rodgers. The plan was to establish "The American Foundation for Exercise," involving collaboration between Pilates, public health, and medical professionals, but Joe Pilates passed away in 1967 before this could be realized.
Pilates Apparatus and Equipment:
Joseph Pilates designed a range of exercise equipment to complement his mat-based exercises. These machines, including the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and others, added resistance and assistance, allowing for a wide variety of exercises and intensifying the method's effectiveness.
Legacy and Global Popularity:
Joseph Pilates continued to teach and refine his method throughout his life. He passed away on October 9, 1967, but his work was carried on by his dedicated students and followers. Clara continued the studio and was supported by a long-term student, Romana Krysanowska. The business was passed to Romana on Clara’s death in 1977 and subsequently had many changes of ownership but Romana remained as a Teacher throughout. One owner, Aris Isotoner trademarked the name Pilates inc. but failed to maintain control over the trademark. In the late 1980s the business contents was purchased by Sean P Gallagher. Sean decided to try to enforce the trademark which he claimed he purchased, but by this time many of the first, and now second, generation of teachers had firmly established use of the name Pilates in their businesses. A court case followed and in 2001 a Judge in New York decided that the name was generic. The court papers also stated that the method required distinct equipment.
More information on that case can be found here
More information on the elders , their students and history of Pilates can be found here
https://www.pilatesanytime.com/legacy.
Joe had many students, including those known as "first-generation teachers/elders" who learned Contrology, which consisted of over 500 exercises using unique apparatus designed by Joseph Pilates. Some of these elders, such as Mary Pilates, Jay Grimes, Lolita San Miguel, and Mary Bowen, are still alive today. They have added their personal experiences and interpretations to the method.
Pilates Principles:
In 1983 students of Romana Krysanowska, Philip Friedman and Gail Eisen, wrote a book The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning, which was based on their experience of learning the Pilates method on all apparatus as taught by Romana. They created 6 principles which they felt reflected the essence of how Romana taught the work. Those six principles were concentration, centring, control, breath, precision and flow.
These “principles” have become common with many schools attributing them incorrectly to Joseph Pilates himself. Other “principles” such as isolation, relaxation and routine have been added which fit the teaching practices of the individual schools.
An interview with Gail Eisen can be found here
https://pilatesology.com/classes/interview-with-gail-eisen-co-author-of-the-original-pilates-book/
Evolution and Variations:
Over the years, Pilates' method gained international recognition and popularity, with countless individuals benefiting from his approach to physical fitness, flexibility, and overall well-being. Various schools and interpretations of the method emerged, each emphasizing slightly different aspects of his original work. Today, Pilates is practiced in many forms and is an integral part of the fitness and wellness industry.
Joseph Pilates' innovative and holistic approach to exercise and the mind-body connection, has had a profound and lasting impact on the world of fitness and well-being. His legacy lives on in the millions of people who continue to practice and teach Pilates around the world.
"The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They'd be happier".
- Joseph H Pilates
