THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH PILATES 1883-1967

 

Yes! He was an actual person! 

 

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. Joe was a sickly child and suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever.  He dedicated his entire life to improving his physical strength. Early on, he participated in multiple forms of exercise with his father and brother, including boxing, fencing, wrestling and gymnastics.

 

During WWII, Joe was detained in England during a boxing tour.  He was held as a resident alien in an internment camp.  While detained, he was given the job of an orderly at a hospital and helped wounded soldiers regain their strength while convalescing.   This became quite physically demanding, so Joe came up with an idea.  He attached springs to his patient’s bed frames. Under Joe’s supervision, they could exercise themselves!  This was the birth of the Pilates equipment that we know and love. Many of Joe’s original machines are still working today.

 

Joe and his wife Clara came to New York City in 1926 and opened their first studio and began teaching what he called “Contrology”.  Joe worked with all types of clients, although he had a particularly strong influence on the dance community.  Following an injury, dancers would often come to Joe to participate in his successful rehabilitations.

 

Unfortunately, there was a fire in their building in 1967 and Joe suffered from complications of smoke inhalation and died soon after.  Clara continued Joe’s work until her death in 1977.

 

Joe felt strongly about his methodology, as evidenced by this quote,  “Time and progress are synonymous terms...nothing can stop either.  Truth will prevail and that is why I know that my teachings will reach the masses and finally be adopted as universal.”  

 

Although it did not happen during his lifetime, Joe’s “truth” did reach the masses.  Pilates is universally taught as part of the curriculum for Physical Therapy schools and Pilates equipment is often used in Physical Therapy clinics throughout the world.