Pilates is a safe and innovative form of mind-body exercise performed on an exercise mat and other specially designed equipment with the intention of building core strength. A strong, central core is a prerequisite for attaining a strong and healthy body. Pilates also enhances flexibility and coordination and strengthens balance, creating a well-organized body that moves though every day life with ease.

Key Pilates’ principles include concentration, centering, alignment, fluidity and breath, among others. Addressing the “whole person”, these principles are the foundation of the Pilates approach to exercise creating a strong, healthy, and well-balanced body. Joseph Pilates believed that a sense of well-being was achieved through the interrelationship of physical health and mental health.

Pilates, named for its originator, Joseph H. Pilates, dates back to the early 20^th Century. Pilates coined his method “Contrology”, because the movements were to be performed in a controlled and precise manner incorporating the body, mind and spirit into each movement. Each movement, linked to the breath, deepens concentration and overall awareness.

Historical Perspective

Joe was born in Germany in 1883. He was a sickly child and practiced many different forms of exercise in order to improve his own health and well being. His original exercises were floor (mat) based and focused primarily on developing a strong core, a flexible and strong back, solid breath control and good shoulder and hip stability.

Joe had an enduring desire to continually enhance the fundamentals of core strength. With his extraordinary ingenuity, he went on to design several pieces of equipment including the Universal Reformer, the Cadillac, the Wunda Chair, the Ladder Barrel, the Spine Corrector and many more.

In 1926, Joe emigrated to the United States. During the voyage he met Clara, whom he later married. Joe and Clara opened a fitness studio in New York, sharing an address with the New York City Ballet. By the early 1960s, Joe and Clara could count among their clients many New York dancers.

In the late 1980s, the media began to cover Pilates extensively. The public took note, and the Pilates method caught on. “I’m fifty years ahead of my time,” Joe once claimed. He was right. No longer the workout of the elite, Pilates has entered the fitness mainstream. Today, over 10 million Americans have experienced the benefits of Pilates, and the number continues to grow.