Joseph H. Pilates

As a boy, Joseph H. Pilates suffered from rickets, asthma, and rheumatic fever. Determined to overcome his own afflictions, he studied the musculature of the body; the exercise regimens of the ancient Greeks; the mind control and breathwork of the eastern yogis, and immersed himself in body building, gymnastics, skiing and dance. By the age of fourteen he was in good enough shape to pose for anatomical drawings; and by 19 years he was a world class gymnast, deep sea diver and self defense expert.

Pilates worked for years rehabilitating patients in hospitals and went on to train circus performers, boxers such as Max Snelling, dancers and anyone who wanted to improve their posture and their lives through physical fitness. He initially called his method Contrology. Following his death in 1968, it became known simply as Pilates.

Joseph Pilates held a vision of a better world where people were happy because they were in touch with their bodies.  He saw that people living inside their own physical pain lacked energy and vitality and that it robbed them of enjoying their lives to the fullest. To that end, he and his wife Clara dedicated their lives to teaching others how to improve their quality of life to the fullest. Pilates had a firm belief that he was fifty years ahead of his time.  He was.