| Copyright (c) 2008 Harper DTP Co. | | | | More than 80 years later Pilates has become one |
| Developed from rehabilitation techniques; Pilates is | | | | of the hottest and most accessible workouts |
| a safe, sensible exercise system. By emphasizing | | | | around. It's no wonder as Pilates not only tones |
| proper breathing, it gets your mind and body in | | | | and tightens your body, but protects it too. |
| tune with one another. | | | | There are two basic types of Pilates. The most |
| The originator, Joseph Pilates, was the son of a | | | | common type (which you can do almost |
| prize winning gymnast in Germany; were Joseph | | | | anywhere) consists of a series of floor exercises |
| was born. A sickly child, Joseph began his life's | | | | preformed on a mat. These use the body's own |
| journey to fitness and health at an early age. By | | | | weight as resistance, but can also involve |
| the time he was 14 he was modeling for | | | | resistance bands or the Pilates Magic Circle (a |
| anatomy charts. | | | | flexible circle made of rubber or thin metal). The |
| In 1912 Joe went to England where he worked as | | | | second type relies on two machines called the |
| a self defense instructor for Scotland Yard. At | | | | Cadillac and the Reformer which use a system of |
| the beginning of WWI he was interned with other | | | | springs, levers and pulleys to strengthen and |
| German nationals. During his internment, Joe | | | | condition. Both types work on the "core" or |
| refined his idea and trained other internees. In | | | | transverse muscle deep in the abdomen that |
| 1918 an influenza epidemic struck England killing | | | | forms the girdle inside the body. A strong |
| thousands. Not one of Joe's trainees died. He | | | | transverse muscle gives you better endurance in |
| claimed this to be a testament to the | | | | every other physical activity. It also protects the |
| effectiveness of his system. | | | | lower back and improves posture. |
| In 1926 Joseph Pilates emigrated to the U.S. and | | | | Pilates exercises do produce long lean muscles like |
| opened his first studio in New York City sharing | | | | a dancer's, but Pilates isn't just for girls. Pro |
| an address with the New York City Ballet. Along | | | | football players use Pilates to strengthen their |
| the way he met Clara whom he later married. By | | | | bodies and cores; which helps them absorb the |
| 1960 many New York dancers were their clients; | | | | impact of full body tackles without blowing out |
| including George Balanchine, who later invited Joe | | | | their knees. During World War I, Joseph Pilates |
| to instruct his young ballerinas at the New York | | | | also used his exercises to help wounded soldiers |
| City Ballet. | | | | become mobile again. |
| When Joe passed away in 1967 only two of his | | | | Today there are Pilates studios all over the world. |
| students were known to have opened their own | | | | Mari Winsor has gained much notoriety with her |
| studios. Carola Trier, a close friend and Bob Seed, | | | | Windsor Pilates fitness program. |
| who tried to take clients from Joe. | | | | |