Pilates Day is coming up this
Saturday, May 7.
For a listing of events
around the country and the world,
please check out the schedule here.
The Lost Equipment
In honor of Pilates Day,
I’m highlighting some of his inventions
that are being lost to time.
You don’t see these pieces of equipment
in too many studios.
You may never have even heard
or seen some of this equipment before.
Though these pieces may not be well-known,
you’ll be reminded of Joe’s creativity.
He thought of everything!
A genius ~
Breath-A-Cizer
As if there weren’t enough breathing exercises in Pilates already, Joe invented a gadget for breathing!
You blow through a straw and try to keep the metal pinwheel at the end turning. This device alone improves breathing but it could also be combined with exercises. For example, you could perform a standing roll down and up “one vertebrae at a time” while keeping the pinwheel turning during the movement.
Oddly, this equipment seems similar to a modern day spirometer. Though there aren’t measurements on the Breath-A-Cizer, the potential for improving breathing capacity appears similar.
To see the Breath-A-Cizer, go here.
Head Harness
The head harness wraps around the head and there is a spring attached. Depending on the placement of the head in the harness, the neck muscles on the front, back or side are strengthened. That’s one way to get your head on straight!
This is what the head harness looks like!
Bednasium (or V bed)
Yes, just like it sounds! Joe invented a bed to sleep in. The bed has two angles like a wide V-shape. It’s ingenious – if you sleep on your side you wouldn’t need to put a pillow between your knees as you could rest your leg on the angle of the bed.
You can view a Bednasium here!
Happy Pilates Day!
Good health, happiness and peace
to you always.
Warmly,
Shannon