Pilates

The Winsor Pilates group was initiated by Mr. Joseph Pilates. Here is the story right from the beginning.

1. The creator of the great Pilates Group of Exercises, Mr. Joseph Pilates from the very tender age was often an ill child.

2. The young boy suffered with ailments such as asthma, rickets & rheumatic fever.

3. At the age of 14, he remedied to all his ailments through engaging in the exercises & body building.

4. He grew up to become a model for the anatomical drawings.

5. He was extremely dedicated to his exercises and the fitness regime.

6. As a result the young boy became a skilled sportsman for activities such as skiing, diving & gymnastics.

7. In 1912, Joseph Pilates worked for the Scotland Yard in the post of a Self Defense Instructor in England.

8. In the World War I, Pilates, being a German national, came to be called as the ‘enemy alien’, just like all other German nationals of that time.

9. During his capture, Joseph invested his time in perfecting the various methods of Pilates’ exercises.

10. He then started teaching these to the fellow interns.

11. He utilized the springs attached to the hospital beds in order to enable the bedridden patients to perform the exercises with resistance.

12. Pilates was first ever person who designed the reconstructive forms of exercise to help the injured patients & those who are unable to move, move freely.

13. His exercising techniques also helped the patients who were confined to the bed or the chair.

14. His crude “exercise machines” became the basis for all the later designs that Joseph Pilates made.

15. In 1918, when an Influenza epidemic hit the mankind in England, none of the trainees became infected to the disease, where as thousands of people died in the massacre. This strengthened the claims of Joseph Pilates regarding his exercise’s efficiency.

16. After this he was soon cleared of the accusations, and was released. Then Joseph returned to Germany and perfected his method further.

17. Rudolf Van Laban, promoted Joseph’s techniques among the dance community and they all adapted his exercises.

18. Further in 1926, Joseph Pilates immigrated to United States. Here he was invited to preach his techniques to the German Army.

19. Here, he met his love of life & then his wife Clara. They together opened a fitness studio in the New York City, along with New York City Ballet.

20. By 1960’s, Pilates was flooded with students who primarily the known dancers of the New York City.

21. One of these students was George Ballanchine, through whom Pilates taught the ballerinas of the New York City Ballet.

22. His method was now gaining popularity, not only in New York city, but also in several other parts of the United States.

23. Carola Trier, & Bob Seed, 2 students of Pilates now opened their own studio where they demonstrated the methods & techniques designed by Pilates.

24. Carola Trier, had actually come to the US to find solace, as she had escaped the Nazi Holding Camp, and met Pilates in 1940. She had a pertinent dance background so she had several techniques already under her belt. She naturally became a contortionist, but stopped when she got injured in 1940. Pilates helped her personally in opening this studio in the year 1950.

25. Bob Seed, was a former Hockey player. He was also Pilates’ avid student. He launched his studio quite near to that of Joseph’s and tried to come in competition by opening the place early every morning. It is said that Pilates threatened Bob Seed, and warned him to leave the town, & indeed he left.

26. Pilates died silent with no last instruction to Clara as to how she had to run his line of work.

27. She did it her own way and continued the Studio, Pilates Studio.

28. Romana Kryzanowska, once a student of Joseph & Clara in the 1940’s, helped Clara and continued the work with her. He became the director of this studio in 1970.

29. In 1970, another person Ron Fletcher, who was Martha Graham dancer, established his studio in the city of Los Angeles. He managed to attract several Hollywood stars. Clara was quite impressed with his work so she willingly gave him the permission to carry on with name of the Pilates. Fletcher also brought in several other improvements in his regiment.

30. In 1967, 2 other students, that are, Kathy Grant & Lolita San Miguel got degrees by the New York State University. These two practitioners were the only two marked in the history of Pilates, who were certified by the Pilates officially.

31. Grant went on to take over Bendel’s Studio in the year 1972.

32. San Miguel finally went to Puerto Rico and taught Pilates at Ballet Concerto de Puerto Rica.

33. Then in the later half of 1980’s, as Fletcher succeeded in the Hollywood, media made a lot of emphasis on the Pilates method. This way it gained popularity among the celebrities and the average Americans.

34. Now over, 5 million Americans utilize the Pilates method.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Pilates is the exercise of choice for dancers, gymnasts, and a host of famous Hollywood celebrities, and now it finds itself firmly entrenched in the mainstream. So why is pilates so hot?

Pilates incredible popularity can be traced to the fact that it provides its faithful practitioners with benefits that you simply can’t get through traditional aerobics/strength training format.

1. Makes You into Muscle Man

If want a long, lean look without bulky muscles, but with all the strength. Would you like to build strength and endurance without getting the muscle man look? If so, pilates may be just what you have been searching for.

There’s a reason that pilates is the exercise of choice for gymnasts and professional dancers. Most conventional workouts tend to create bulky muscle. Why is this? In most workouts, the emphasis is placed on repetition and building strong muscles.

This causes already-strong (think: big) muscles to get even strong, and thus bigger. Pilates does not rely on frequent repetition, and thus no overgrown muscles. Pilates focuses on the whole body, not just on sections of muscles.

2. Increases the Strength of Stabilizer Muscles

There are many benefits that one can achieve through a proper use of the pilates program. One of the most significant points of the pilates program is it’s ability to increase the strength of stabilizer muscles that may not commonly be worked out in a standard exercise program.

Also, since pilates stresses the use of graceful and fluid movements, it can be a great way to get a better sense of the kinesthetics of your body. The sense of body that you can achieve through pilates is quite significant, and many find that they are better able to balance themselves regardless of the position that they are in.

3. A Mind-Body Workout That Strengthens Your Whole Body

Another one of the benefits of Pilates is that it engages the mind and enhances body awareness. Like yoga, tai chi, and Asian martial arts, Pilates is not just a workout for your body. Joseph H. Pilates studied yoga, martial arts, and other ancient mind-body activities and included a strong philosophical foundation into the practice of Pilates.

Pilates not only helps tone your body, but your mind and spirit as well. The smooth, precise and flowing movements of Pilates are designed to make you more mindful of your body.

Breath movement is also emphasized to put you in touch with how breath moves through your body. Pilates has been demonstrated to reduce stress, anxiety, and helps lift depression. The mind-body connection is fundamental to the study and practice of pilates.

4. Pilates Strengthens Your Core like No Other Exercise

Another one of the benefits of Pilates is that the increased amount of strength that one can achieve in the ‘core’ of the body. The term core refers to the muscles in and around the area of the abdominal muscles and the back.

Proper breathing control is also stressed in pilates, adding to the numerous list of benefits that one can attain through regular use of the exercise program.

5. Prevents You from Future Injuries

Pilates strengthens your body and helps prevent future injuries. Pilates helps to condition the whole body, not just certain muscles. This helps balance the muscle and strength of the body. Since no set of muscles is ever over or under trained, there is less risk for injury. The body becomes more fluid and supple, protecting against injury.

6. Helps You Become Efficient With Your Body

Last, but not the least one of the benefits of Pilates is that it teaches you how to become efficient with your body. Very few exercises can help your body become more efficient in its movement.

Why is efficiency so important? Being efficient means that your body moves in a way, that is smoother, safer, and less prone to injury. By practicing pilates on a regular basis, you can train your body more to move in a much safer and more efficient manner.

Benefits of Pilates for Older Adults

The benefits of pilates have been particularly noted in older adults. Older adults are more likely to suffer from symptoms of arthritis, including stiff and painful joints. Pilates practice has also been lauded for its ability to help prevent injury.

Even adults undergoing serious rehabilitation therapy can use Pilates to increase their range of motion and overall muscle strength. But is Pilates safe for all adults? Who should avoid participating in a Pilates program, and who is more likely to benefit from the program?

Consult your medical professional if you have any doubts about your pilates program. If you are suffering from severe degeneration or physical pain, you should take extra care before beginning a pilates program.

You should never feel pain while practicing pilates. If you do, you know that there is something wrong. Don’t be afraid to pull back if you feel overwhelmed.

Pilates was designed to progress naturally from one movement to another. If you feel stopped at one movement, don’t give up. Start at the beginning and work your way back to the areas you found most challenging.

Other Benefits of Pilates

Tone and build long, lean muscles without bulk.

Reduce stress, relieve tension, and boost energy through deep stretching.

Restore postural alignment.

Create a stronger, more flexible spine.

Increase joint range of motion.

Improve circulation.

Heighten neuromuscular coordination.

Offer relief from back pain and joint stress.

Correct over-training of muscle groups which can lead to stress and injury.

Enhance mobility, agility and stamina.

Compliment sports training and develop functional fitness for daily life activity.