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If you’ve been to a Pilates class you’ll likely be familiar with teasers, hundreds and the good old side lying series! But, where did these fabulous (and challenging) moves originate from?
In this blog we take a trip down memory lane looking at the history of Pilates and what to expect at a Pilates class at The Barn KT9.
Where did Joseph Pilates come from?
We’re not trying to write a school essay, but here are some interesting (well we think so) facts about the man himself, Joseph Pilates:
Joseph Pilates was born in Dusseldorf, Germany.
He was an unwell child, suffering from rickets, asthma, and rheumatic fever.
He was determined to overcome these ailments leading him to excel at bodybuilding, gymnastics, diving, and more!
In 1912, he travelled to England.
When World War I broke out, he became a prisoner of war and was interned in a camp on the Isle of Man. Whilst he was based there, he taught, practiced and developed his physical fitness program.
A few years later he decided to emigrate to America, on the ship he met his wife Clara and they opened a Pilates Studio in New York City in 1926.
The Studio was next door to NY ballet school which is why a lot of his exercises are similar to movements you might find in ballet or dance.
Over the course of his career and life, Joseph Pilates developed more than 600 exercises for the Mat, 34 of which are in the Classical Pilates repertoire.
He also invented apparatus such as the Cadillac, the Reformer, the Wunda Chair, and the Spine Corrector.
He died of emphysema in New York City in 1967 at the age of 83.
What was Joseph Pilates’ method?
He based his work on three principles:
Breath: ‘Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.’
Whole-body health: ‘Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty to not only to attain it but to maintain it.’
Whole-body commitment: ‘Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.’
He designed Pilates to be a holistic system; to elongate, strengthen and restore. It’s a practice that is so much more than just building a strong core or a toned body.
Here’s why we love Pilates
Pilates can:
Improve your posture, health and overall fitness
Rehabilitate after injury, surgery or illness
Return your body to movement after injury or having a baby
Improve your body awareness
Elongate and lengthen the body
Improve flexibility.
Increase muscle strength and tone
What you can expect in a Pilates class at The Barn KT9
Our mat Pilates classes focus on classical Pilates (with the odd contemporary move) so that you can really expect a full body workout that leaves you feeling stronger and standing taller.
Our experienced (and friendly!) Instructors are pre and postnatally trained and adjust or adapt exercises to suit everybody in the class.
Wednesday 2pm Postnatal Pilates with Alice
Wednesday 5.30pm Pilates with Anna
Sunday 9.30am Pilates with Caroline
Sunday 10.30am Prenatal Pilates with Caroline
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