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History
of the Pilates Method:
The
method was developed in the early 1900's by Joseph Hurbertus Pilates,
pronounced ( Pilah-tees ), who referred to his techniques as a method of
physical and mental conditioning. His favourite quote was from the poet
Schiller- 'It is the mind itself that builds the body.' Hence Pilates is
often termed the thinking persons workout.
Pilates'
unique form of exercise was devised fifty years ahead of it's time and
precedes the general fitness movement of recent decades. It's central
focus is on creating a strong ' Centre ' or core, around which the rest
of the body can operate efficiently. He called this central band the
'Powerhouse' and is in line with current thinking on core stabilisation.
All movements are performed
thoughtfully
and in the best possible manner paying attention to his original
principles of:
concentration control centering
precision flowing movement breathing
Pilates invented his unique spring
loaded equipment whilst nursing in a prisoner of war camp. To assist
bedridden patients he removed bed springs and devised ways to use them
while lying supine. From there apparatus such as the universal reformer,
the Cadillac (also known as the trap table), wunda chair, ped-o-pole
evolved. As well as these, wooden apparatus such as the spine corrector
and ladder barrel were developed. in fact there are drawings of many
devices which are not seen today.
In the 1920's Pilates took his
knowledge to America, meeting his wife Clara on the ship. Together they
opened his studio in New York and from this original source many fine
first and second generation teachers and teacher trainers closely
studied the master and his approach. From this mecca of pilates the
masters went out to other parts of America and to England and further
afield and the Method has become prominent (and popular) in the past decade.
Pilates continued to work during his
entire life and died in 1967, disappointed that his work did not have
the wider recognition he had hoped for-apart from the dance community
which embraced it so enthusiastically. George Balanchine the great
choreographer of the New York City Ballet had a great deal of respect
for the Method and his dancers practiced the regime (as many still
continue to do today.)
Whilst New York is the source, many
fine studios and training institutes have evolved such as Stotts
(Canada), On Center (California) and many more. Common criteria to
all will be extensive training. (See
PAA Page. )
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