What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise system that dramatically transforms the way your body looks and feels by focusing on stretching and building strength with resistance.
Pilates is excellent for developing a strong “core” or center of the body, and it develops an evenly conditioned body. It elongates and strengthens muscles creating elasticity and joint mobility. No other exercise system is so gentle to your body while giving it a challenging workout with incredible results.
Who Was Joseph Pilates?
Joseph H. Pilates was a genius of the body and the Founder of the Pilates Technique. Born in Germany in 1886, he had a life long interest in body conditioning. As a frail child determined to become stronger, he studied gymnastics, and became an accomplished skier and swimmer. He joined the circus and traveled to England, where, in 1914, he was interned during WW1 as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man along with 26,000 men for five years. During this time he worked as in intern in the camp hospital and led 1000 men in daily exercise sessions to keep their bodies and minds healthy. After the war he patented many spring loaded apparatuses. He came to America in 1926 and opened his studio in New York next to Madison Square Garden. Besides boxers, his clients included George Balanchine, Ted Shawn and Martha Graham’s dancers. He continued to teach in the 1940’s, ’50’s and 60’s until his death in 1967.
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