"Who was Joseph Pilates?"

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. He was a very sickly child. He suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. Joseph spent most of his younger years trying to become physically stronger. As a boy he studied body building and gymnastics.

Joseph Pilates believed that an unhealthy lifestyle, poor breathing and and bad posture where the reasons that people became sick so to perfect this became his life's work.

During World War I Joseph was living in England and was interned with other Germans. He began to train other internees and helped to keep them healthy.

During the latter part of the War, he worked in a hospital on the Isle of Man. Here he devised a system of springs that attached to the hospital bed itself. This enabled those patients to exercise and get stronger from their beds.

In the early 1920's Joseph Pilates set sail for America. On the ship he met a young lady called Clara who would become his wife.

Joseph and his wife set up a Studio in New York City and soon word spread about his work. He initially worked with dancers and athletes but he soon became popular with others as his method was helping to also rehabilitate those injured in a new effective way.

Joseph Pilates studied many different methods of exercise during his life and used his knowledge to create his method which was called "CONTROLOGY".

Pilates is known for it's benefits all over the world. Studios are popping up everywhere and Pilates equipment such as the Reformer, Arc Barrel and Pilates rings are more common now in gyms and households.

Doctors and physical therapists are more open to the idea that this form of exercise can assist in the rehabilitation process.

Some physical therapists are incorporating Pilates methods into their exercise prescriptions. They are taking certifying courses to compliment the services that they offer.

Joseph Pilates believed that if the core postural muscles were strong that the spine would be more supported. It followed that the there would be more balance and that the limbs would be able to move freely. He believed that there was a strong connection needed between body and mind and that breathing correctly was crucial to good health.