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History of Pilates 3

Joseph Pilates, born in 1883 in Germany, developed his method called 'Contrology' to strengthen his frail body, leading to a career as a self-defense trainer and innovator of Pilates equipment during WWI. His first book was published in 1945, and he passed away in 1967, leaving behind a legacy through his first-generation students who contributed to the method's evolution. Traditional Pilates emphasizes a holistic approach, muscle memory, and a structured class format combining equipment and mat exercises.

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7 views2 pages

History of Pilates 3

Joseph Pilates, born in 1883 in Germany, developed his method called 'Contrology' to strengthen his frail body, leading to a career as a self-defense trainer and innovator of Pilates equipment during WWI. His first book was published in 1945, and he passed away in 1967, leaving behind a legacy through his first-generation students who contributed to the method's evolution. Traditional Pilates emphasizes a holistic approach, muscle memory, and a structured class format combining equipment and mat exercises.

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magneticsportsireland
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History of Pilates 3

Synopsis of Joseph Pilates’ Life


1883: Born near Dusseldorf, Germany.
As a child he was weak and sick (Asthma, rickets, rheumatic fever) Pilates’ method
sprang from his determination to strengthen his frail and sickly body. He called his
method ‘The art of Contrology’ or muscle control
1897: Aged 14 Pilates strengthened his body through bodybuilding, gymnastics, Kung
Fu
1912: Pilates lives and works in England as a Boxer, self-defense trainer and as a
Greek living statue in a Circus
1914: He was interned in England during the first world war, he experimented with
bedsprings as training equipment.
During the later part of the war he served as an orderly in a Hospital on the Isle of
Man, here he worked with patients attaching springs to the hospital beds.
After the war, he worked as a self-defense coach for Hamburg police, was in contact
with Max Schmeling, Rudolf von Laban and Mary Wigmore
1925: First trip to the US
1926: Worked in a boxing gym. Meets Anna Clara Zuener from Chemnitz who
becomes his lifelong partner in his work
Several of their early students became exceptional teachers and played a profound
role in the evolution of Pilates
1945: Publishes his book Return to life through contrology, aged 62
1966: Suffers from emphysema
1967: Pilates dies in New York before his 84th birthday

First generation students of Joseph Pilates


Carola Trier: Famous student Deborah Lesson who continues her teaching
Robert Fitzgerald: Robert and Carola Trier were the teachers of Alan Herdman, who
brought Pilates to the UK in 1970’s

Training with Pilates


Professional dancers Ron Fletcher and Kathy Grant recalled that despite their
injuries, they danced better following work with Joseph Pilates than before and
recovered faster.
Traditional methodology Characteristics of
traditional Pilates - some of which are still used
today
Pilates Stance versus parallel legs
External rotation of the legs from the hips with heels and inside of legs pressed
firmly together.

Flat back/ Imprint versus neutral spine & pelvis


The pressing of the back into the floor whilst supine, a posterior pelvic tilt, all lumbar
vertebrae in contact with the mat creating a stable foundation from certain
exercises.

Traditional structure of a class


Equipment and Mat exercises were combined in class.
Pilates developed special thick mats with loops for feet and wooden rod at the head
end to facilitate rolling movements.
Pilates demanded students attend training 3 times a week.
All students started with a beginner program.
No exercise was repeated more than 10 times.

Holistic Approach
Greek term Holos: Exercise whole body and mind.
Somatic - is a field within bodywork and movement studies which
emphasizes internal physical perception and experience relating to the human body
as distinct from the mind.

Muscle Memory
Muscle memory: ‘the ability to repeat a specific muscular movement with improved
efficiency and accuracy that is acquired through practice and repetition’
Through repetition, Pilates movements will become second nature to us, you will begin to
trigger the same awareness in daily activities such as walking, running lifting and carrying.
Structured around the stomach, hips, lower back and buttocks - the ‘powerhouse’.
The movements of Pilates maintain posture and alignment

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