Behind the movements and machines of the popular exercise system is the man who developed it, Joseph H. Pilates. He did not name the technique after himself. Mr. Pilates actually called his method “Contrology” which he defined as “the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.” It’s only later that the method would became synonymous with the creator. In fact, the use of the term Pilates has become so common that in 2000 a Federal Manhattan judge ruled that Pilates is a generic term like yoga or karate.
Mr. Pilates, the man, was born in Germany in 1880 and came to the United States in the late 1920s. On the journey, he met Clara who would become his life partner and common law wife. They settled in New York City and opened a studio.
The Pilates method is tied to the life of the man. As a child, Mr. Pilates was sickly. He began his own wellness journey in his youth, studying anatomy, Greek and Roman regimens, eastern and western philosophies. As an adult, Mr. Pilates had transformed through his practice into a strong, young man and began sharing his work with others.
Like Mr. Pilates own life journey, the method he developed can assist those recovering from illness or challenge the most advanced athlete. The system beautifully incorporates movement and equipment to appropriately meet the student where he is at and help him progress to the next level.
Mr. Pilates used to say that his work was 50 years ahead of its time. That proved to be true. During Mr. Pilates life, his New York studio had a loyal following of celebrities, dancers, athletes and regular folks but was more of an insider’s secret. Though Mr. Pilates did not want his work to be exclusive and thought everyone would be better off if they practiced his exercises, it wasn’t until the late 1990’s and early 2000’s that the method reached a tipping point. Pilates became a household name 50 years later as he predicted.
Those that studied with Joseph Pilates and carried on his work are known as first generation teachers. Many of the first generation such as Eve Gentry, Kathleen Stanford Grant, Romana Krysanoska and Ron Fletcher have passed on, but some remain such as Lolita San Miguel, Mary Bowen and Jay Grimes. Second generation teachers are still able to learn from the first and continue Mr. Pilates work. The first generation teachers all enjoy a longevity, vitality and youthfulness that they attribute to a regular Pilates practice.