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Pilates Through History

A new craze has swept through the world of physical fitness. Pilates is all the rage, but there is really nothing "new' about this form of exercise.

The Pilates Method has experienced a popularity explosion in recent years, sweeping across North America, Asia, and Europe. This type of exercise was actually developed in the early 20th century by a German national named Joseph Pilates, and the methods are really very simple.

Joseph Pilates originally named his exercise form "The Art of Contrology", and it involved the basic concept of using the mind to control the muscles. That basic idea evolved into a more complex exercise program, with great attention paid to the core postural muscles. These core muscles, it's believed, provide support for the spine and help to keep the body balanced.

As World War I raged on, Joseph Pilates was one of a group of German nationals placed under forced internment in Lancaster, England. As a trained nurse, Mr. Pilates was investigating ways to rehabilitate bed-ridden victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic.

Using the knowledge he'd gained in twenty years of self-study, Joseph Pilates also applied his vast knowledge of yoga, Zen and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens to create a series of movements. It took little space to perform these specialized movements, and they could even be practiced within the confines of his war-torn environment. Pilates encouraged his fellow camp members to learn the concepts and movements, and Pilates "mat work" was born. Even in their very cramped quarters, Joseph Pilates and his fellow WWI detainees were able to perform these basic exercise movements known as "contrology".

More than a combination of physical movements, the Pilates Method was created from the belief that mental health is essential for physical health, and vice-versa. For this reason, many consider Pilates to be a method of total body conditioning. The movements and physical practices not only strengthen the body, but also emphasize proper alignment, concentration, precision, centering, control, breathing and flowing movements. These basic principles remain the major factors of the modern Pilates Method.

Physical exercise was always an important element of Mr. Pilates' original concept, but this aspect was different than traditional exercise regimes. Instead of performing each exercise with a series of repetitions, Joseph Pilates developed a program of precise movements that required form and control. More than 500 of these very specific exercises were developed for the Pilates Method. The movements used most frequently came to be known as the Pilates 'mat work' exercises. This is a series of callisthenic motions that are performed on a padded mat, with no additional weights or apparatus.

Joseph Pilates followed up the development of his initial mat work exercises by designing five major pieces of unique exercise equipment. These, he claimed, would provide optimal results. The two components of the Pilates Method are often taught and practiced individually now, but the original Pilates Method combined both equipment exercises and mat work.

Of the exercises involved in the original Pilates Method, most were developed to create an awareness of the neutral alignment of the spine. These were exercises that could strengthen the deep postural muscles that support the spine's natural alignment, and played a vital role in preventing or alleviating back pain.

Gravity Pilates is a recent development in the Pilates Method. Those who practice gravity Pilates believe that the lower back, abdomen and buttocks create the body's "powerhouse", and when this area is supported and strengthened, the rest of the body is able to move more freely.

Modern Pilates is used by many people seeking physical fitness and rehabilitation. It is a popular exercise program for fitness buffs and Hollywood's elite, but the Pilates Method is also used by physical therapists for rehabilitation exercises. People who practice Pilates use their own bodies as "weights" to train their muscles and increase strength and flexibility.

While there is nothing "new" about the Pilates Method, the program continues to gain popularity as more and more people discover its many benefits.