The History of Pilates

You've probably heard of Pilates, as it has become an extremely popular form of exercise in the past several years, but you may not know where Pilates comes from - I didn't even know all of this until recently, and I've been doing Pilates for years!

Image by rozic via FlickrHere is a brief background, that will give you some really interesting insight into this unique and wonderful exercise method.

The Pilates method was invented by Joseph Pilates during WWI to improve the rehabilitation for veterans returning home. Joseph Pilates believed that both mental and physical health is important to everyone.

He said that specific precise body motions could control and reform an injured soldier.  The movements were used by veterans to regain their health and give strength by stretching and stabilizing the main muscles in the body.

Joseph Pilates was a legend in physical fitness and was born in Germany in 1880.  When he was a child he was small and weak.  He was fascinated with physical fitness, and the ways in which it could make him strong and more attractive.

He then became an accomplished skier, boxer and gymnast.  In 1926 he and his wife opened their first studio in New York City.  Many of their first clients were from a dancing background, which explains why so many of the movements are targeted to increase length and flexibility of the muscles. 
Joseph designed the Pilates Principles to help move the whole body into proper alignment, using centering, concentration, control and precision.  Not only does the Pilates method help the muscles but it helps breathing too.

Image via WikipediaPilates believed that his method used the mind to control the muscles in the body.  This program focuses on the core postural muscles that keep the body well balanced. These are essential muscles that provide support for the spine, and in turn support to the whole body.  Pilates educated many in awareness of breathing and the alignment of the spine, as well as how to strengthen the muscles in the torso.

The popularity of the Pilates method has grown by leaps and bounds. By 2005 eleven million people were using Pilates every day, and there are over 14,000 Pilates instructors in the U.S. today. 

Be sure to check back Thursday for more on how you can use this fun and effective exercise form to accomplish your own fitness goals!

Related Articles on Pilates:

• What is Pilates? (emlhealth.wordpress.com)
• 4 Ways Pilates Makes Everything Better (fitsugar.com)
• Ball Workouts - On the Ball Pilates for Beginners (nhlnewfunwaystoexercise.blogspot.com)
• Video - Beginner Pilates Exercise with Exercise Ball (nhlnewfunwaystoexercise.blogspot.com)