Pilates
is not a new fad. It has been around for nearly 100 years. It is a
method of body conditioning developed by Joseph Hubertus Pilates
(1880-1967) which uses specially designed equipment as well as
traditional mat work. Joseph Pilates called his method “The
Art
of Contrology” which refers to the way that the method encourages the
use of the mind to control the muscles.
Pilates consists of
a series of precise, rhythmic, fluid movements achieved through a
harmony of breath, concentration and control.
Ideally our muscles should
obey our will. Reasonably our will should not be dominated by the
reflex action of our muscles. Joseph Pilates
It focuses on
strengthening the core postural muscles of the body, named “The
Powerhouse”, which stabilize the torso and improve flexibility
and strength for the body without building bulk. The exercises length
and strengthen all the major muscles in a balanced way.
The
method is designed to strengthen the weaker postural muscle
groups.
As
we go through life we settle into specific patterns of movement, the
more frequently used muscles gradually get stronger while the under
used muscles get weaker. This pulls the skeleton out of kilter leading
to an unbalanced posture that requires much more energy to achieve a
given movement. Pilates helps correct these inefficient patterns,
resulting in more natural efficient movements.
Balance
of mind and body is achieved through the adherence to the method’s
inherent principles of concentration, centering, control, coordination
of breath and integrated movement.
WHO WAS JOSEPH PILATES?
Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in 1880 in Dusseldorf,
Germany. A
sickly child, Joseph suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever.
A strong determination to overcome these illnesses and to improve his
physical health and appearance bred a keen interest in body
conditioning. As a result of this determination, Joseph
Pilates became
an accomplished skier, diver, gymnast and boxer.
In 1912 Joseph Pilates left Germany for England to train as a
professional boxer, supporting himself by teaching self-defense to
English police. His boxing ambitions soon ended with the outbreak
of World War I where he was interned as an ‘enemy alien’ at a
camp
in Lancaster. While in the camp Pilates continued to instruct in
self-defense as well as bodybuilding.
He was later transferred to the Isle of
Mann where he worked as a nurse; it was at this time that he designed
exercise aides for bedridden patients using bedsprings and pulleys.
These
basic
implements have since evolved into the Pilates equipment
used today. Indeed it was this experience that inspired
Pilates to
design the "Universal Reformer", a piece of exercise equipment now
central to
Pilates based studio work.
After the war Pilates returned briefly to Germany, where his exercise
method gained favor in the dance community notably among Rudolf Von
Laban and Hanya Holm. However concerns about the political situation
and requests that he train the German army in his technique fueled his
decision to leave Germany for America.
On the way to America he met his future wife and
business partner, Clara. By 1923
Joseph and Clara had established
their studio in New York. Once in New York, Pilates dedicated himself
to fully developing his program for physical fitness, and he named his
method “The Art and Science of Contrology”. Influenced by the early
Greeks, Pilates emphasized the role of the conscious mind in
conditioning the body in his technique. A self taught genius, Pilates
drew from many influences, eastern and western in design. A sound
knowledge of anatomy and exercise experience underpinned and continues
to underpin the development of the technique.
Once established in New York, Pilates attracted the attention of
dancers and choreographers, most notably Martha Graham,
George
Balanchine, Eve Gentry... His technique and exercises were
to spread quickly
among the dance world.
Over the past 20 years, famous Pilates advocates like Madonna, Sharon
Stone and Dustin Hoffman have increased public awareness of the
benefits and results of Pilates.
Today, Pilates is
recommended
by many health professionals such as physiotherapists, osteopaths,
orthopedists, neurologists and
chiropractors as the ideal exercise to develop strength after many
forms of illness or injury and to combat the stresses and strains
caused by poor working conditions or bad postural habits (caused by
everyday living).
When practiced under the supervision of a well
trained teacher it is perfectly safe for any and everyonegfgfgf.
Pilates
is
taught in some college and universities like New York University, St
Petersburg College....
MORE ABOUT PILATES?
Listen and watch Tess Whelan talk about Pilates
and demonstrate various exercises.
