History of Pilates
The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning was developed by German born Joseph H. Pilates during the early 1900's.  A sickly child, Joseph Pilates suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever.   Because of his frailty, Joseph Pilates was determined to strengthen his body and overcome the taunting of his peers.

Joseph Pilates devoted his time and efforts to studying and experimenting with various methods of physical exercise at a very young age.  He excelled at skiing, boxing and wrestling.  At one point, he was even a model for a series of anatomical charts!

During WWI, Joseph Pilates was interned in a camp on the Isle of Man with other German natives.  It was during this time that he became something of a nurse.  He worked with many who were ill with wartime diseases and began devising methods of rehabilitation: taking springs from the hospital beds and creating various types of exercise apparatus for the bedridden.

In 1925, Joseph Pilates arrived in America and he set up his first studio on 8th Ave in NYC.  This original Pilates studio happened to be in the same building as several dance studios and rehearsal spaces, which explains the early devotion of dancers to this method.  George Balanchine, Martha Graham and Jerome Robbins are just a few of the famous dance personalities that studied with and sent their clients to Joseph Pilates.

Over the course of his career, Joseph Pilates developed over 600 exercises for the various pieces of apparatus he invented.   He lived a long and prosperous life until the age of 87.  His wife Clara continued his work until 1977, at which time she turned over the business to Romana Kryzanowska, one of Joseph's earliest students.  Romana continues to dedicate her time to teaching the Pilates Method to this day.

Philosophy
Joseph H. Pilates believed that "physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness."  In order to enjoy life, one must gain mastery of their body.  The main goal of Pilates is to create a uniformly developed body.  By following and practicing some fundamental principles of Pilates; emphasis on the importance of the mind/body connection, proper breathing, decompression of the spine and joints, flexibility and simultaneous strengthening of muscles.

Benefits of Pilates

• Increases Flexibility and muscle strength
• Increases endurance, balance and coordination
• Strengthens and toned abdominal "core" muscles
• Aids in Rehabilitation and injury prevention
• Improves circulation and lung capacity
• Heightens body awareness and concentration
• Reduces stress and tension - mentally and physically
• Anyone can do Pilates!  No matter their age or fitness level!

1. Awareness
2. Breath
3. Balance
4. Concentration
5. Control
6. Center
7. Efficiency
8. Flow
9. Precision
10. Harmony

These 10 principles are ever present in the work of Pilates.  At any one time, one or more principles may be stressed more than others.  It is these principles that make Pilates a so-called "mind-body" system.  It is these principle that lead to the astounding changes, and success this method brings.