What is Pilates?
Pilates was designed by Joseph Pilates, a physical-culturist born in Mönchengladbach, Germany in 1883. He developed a system of exercises during the first half of the 20th century which were intended to strengthen the human mind and body. Joseph Pilates believed that mental and physical health are inter-related.
The Pilates method seeks to develop controlled movement from a strong core, using a range of apparatuses to guide and train the body. Joseph Pilates originally developed his method as mat exercises (his 1945 Return to Life trough Contrology teaches 34 of these), but he used also several pieces of apparatus to help people "get the method in their bodies".
Each piece of apparatus has its own repertoire of exercises. The most widely used piece of apparatus is the Reformer. In contemporary Pilates other props are used, including small weighted balls, foam rollers, large exercise balls, rotating disks, and resistance bands.
The original six principles of Pilates were: concentration, control, center, flow, precision and breathing.
“The acquirement and enjoyment of physical well-being, mental calm and spiritual peace are priceless to their possessors if there be any such so fortunate living among us today. However, it is the ideal to strive for, and in our opinion, it is only through Contrology that this unique trinity of a balanced body, mind, and spirit can ever be attained. Self-confidence follows.”
Return to life through Contrology, Joseph H. Pilates