The Pilates Movement - How It All Started
As I look back, it’s hard to believe I’ve been teaching group exercise for over 40 years! I have observed the evolution of the fitness industry from the Jane Fonda days (yes I’m that old) where we did primarily high impact cardio to a plethora of modes being offered today. I have experienced instructing most genres from choreographed step, strength training, HITT, aquatics, mind body classes and everything in between but my absolute favorite “happy place” is teaching pilates.
Let’s take a look at how it all started:
Pilates is an exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates which he created in the early part of the 20th century. He was born in Germany in 1883 and suffered from rheumatic fever, asthma and rickets as a child and was plagued by a weak respiratory system. This prompted him to explore ways to improve his health and he participated in boxing, fencing, wrestling, gymnastics and dance trying to strengthen his body and mind. He even posed for an anatomy chart when he was 13 years old! When World War I broke out, he was held as a resident alien in a camp and took it upon himself to lead the other detainees in a daily exercise program and also devised a system of pulleys attaching springs to patient’s bed frames to help rehabilitate wounded soldiers. After the war, he eventually was released and returned to Germany where he met his wife, Clara who was a nurse. They arrived in New York City in 1926 and rented a small studio in the same building as the New York City Ballet where he trained professional dancers and started teaching a class he called “Contrology” which we now know as the Pilates Method. Joseph Pilates had a dream of introducing his vision of mind-body fitness into every aspect of life. In 1967 his studio was destroyed by fire and he died soon thereafter of smoke inhalation complications. There’s no doubt that Joseph Pilates was way ahead of his time.
Why is Pilates so popular?
Pilates focuses on engaging the mind and body together to create exercises that involve the whole person. There are mainly two types of pilates classes-mat based and equipment based. In a mat class, students perform the “classic 10” exercises or a contemporary version of Joseph Pilates original 34 mat exercises using primarily your own body for resistance. Equipment classes incorporate the Reformer, Cadillac and other equipment where springs and ropes provide the resistance. In both methods, every exercise is performed with attention to breath, proper form and efficient movement patterns. Pilates strengthens the core, improves balance, increases coordination and decreases stress. The exercises are relatively safe, low impact and appropriate for anyone from ages 10-100. Pilates helps you to move better so the benefits are felt in everyday life.
Over 10 million people are now practicing pilates in the United States and the numbers are growing every year! eFitClub offers both classical and contemporary mat pilates 4 days a week, so why not try a class today-this could possibly become your new “happy place” too with a host of health benefits.
Source: Nora St. John, Balanced Body Inc. Sacramento, California