Pilates History

 

Pilates was originally developed during the first world war by Joseph Pilates to help rehabilitate the returning soldiers.  Based on a combination of Surya Namaskaras’ yoga postures and aerobics, it proved to be very effective.  He believed that mental and physical health are essential to and build upon one another.  You can’t be truly healthy if you’re not healthy in both body and mind.  Through his system he recommended precise movements with the emphasis on control and form.  This improved health by strengthening, stretching and stablizing key muscles.  The mental discipline inherent in the excercises helped the body get the most out of the movements, and by relieving the physical tension in muscles, allowed the mind to relax.  Over time, Joseph Pilates came up with “The Pilates Principles” of:

  • Proper alignment;
  • Centering;
  • Concentration;
  • Control;
  • Precision;
  • Breathing; and
  • Flowing Movement.

Over the course of his life, Joseph Pilates wrote two books on the Pilates method.  The first, “Pilates’ Return to Life Through Contrology” (1928) and “Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercising that Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education” (1934).

In modern times, pilates comes in many shapes and sizes.  Mari Winsor developed Winsor Pilates to be a modern and fun way of taking advantage of Joseph Pilates highly beneficial system.  She is one of the most recognized experts in the field of pilates exercise, and is known for helping people lose weight, sculpt their body, and strengthen their core.  The Winsor Pilates DVD system has been around for a while and is a regular on the infomercial circuit.  You’ve probably seen them on TV at one in the morning.  These DVDs are known for being beautifully produced, with her workouts energetic, fun, and uplifting.  Though I won’t deny the benefit of personal instruction in Pilates especially for an absolute beginner, Mari Winsor has done great work in her Winsor Pilates workouts at making them easy for beginners and a challenge for the more advanced.  Ultimately, it can be summed up with something she was quote as saying, “If after your classes you’re just tired and want to lay down, do something else!”.  Really, pilates should energize you, not leave you gasping for air or too tired to stand.