“Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit”
Joseph Pilates
Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. He was a sickly child plagued by various ailments. His drive to overcome these ailments led him to explore and practice bodybuilding, gymnastics, boxing, diving and other physical pursuits. With a background in yoga, Zen meditation, martial arts and other ancient fitness techniques Joseph Pilates devised a unique sequence of movements that worked the mind and muscle in harmony.
During World War I while interned in a camp on the Isle of Man he taught his fitness program to fellow internees while devising apparatus to aid in rehabilitation of the disabled and sick. He ingeniously engineered the springs from the beds rigged to the bed frame itself to create spring loaded resistance apparatus. He was credited with assisting many victims of the influenza epidemic and helping others recover from wartime diseases.
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Joseph Pilates went on to develop over 600 exercises for the various pieces of apparatus he had invented. Unlike other forms of exercise, the Pilates method of body conditioning works on strengthening, lengthening and toning muscles as well as improving posture, flexibility and balance.
Initially taken up by ballet dancers in New York, Pilates is now widely recognized by trainers of professional athletes in all fields, ranging still from ballet all the way to Rugby players. |