Joseph H. Pilates
1883-1967

The name Pilates comes from its creator, Joseph H. Pilates, a self-taught athlete, former boxer, circus performer, and instructor of various physical activities.

Born in 1883 in Germany, near Düsseldorf, Pilates began experimenting with the discipline in the early 1900s, first on himself to strengthen his slight young physique, and later with injured soldiers returning from World War I. He helped them rehabilitate their muscles and joints through a series of exercises performed lying down, using the springs from hospital beds. This led to the concept of the first Pilates machines.

History

1926: The opening of the Studio in New York

In 1926 J.H. Pilates moved to the USA and opened his Contrology Studio (as he called his method) in New York with his wife, Anna Clara Zuener. The studio was located near the New York City Ballet headquarters on the Eighth Avenue and professional dancers, including renowned professionists like George Balanchine and Martha Graham, were among the first to discover its benefits. This is why Pilates still maintains a special connection with dance. Later, the technique expanded from the ballet world to other fields and spread across America, initially as a celebrity fitness routine—embraced by Joan Collins and Candice Bergen in the 1970s, as well as Madonna and Steven Spielberg in the 1980s—and eventually as a discipline accessible to everyone.

J.H. Pilates passed away in 1967. His wife Clara continued his work before passing the New York studio to Romana Kryzanowska, one of Pilates’ direct students. Romana later trained Anna Maria Cova, who became my teacher.

I, Christina Iredale, am therefore a third-generation Pilates instructor.

The Heritage for the New Generations

The Principles of Pilates

Pilates is a training technique focused on strengthening deep muscles, which can be practised with the help of specific machines or through mat exercises. It promotes elasticity, helps tone and firm the body, and improves flexibility, posture, balance and coordination.

A key aspect of the discipline is the collaboration between mind and body, aiming for control, precision, and fluidity of movements, all synchronized with correct breathing.

Concentration

During the exercise, the mind must focus both on each movement and on the entire body to perform it correctly.

Control

It is important that no movement is random to avoid incorrect postures and injuries. During the exercise, the position of every single part of the body, from head to toe, must be monitored. Not by chance, the original name of Pilates was Contrology.

Centring

Activating and strengthening core stability (the powerhouse, as Joseph Pilates called it) is essential. This refers to the complex of abdominal and lumbar muscles located between the bottom of the ribcage and the pelvis, which helps maintain correct posture

Flow

In Pilates, movements are fluid, performed with harmony and at the right pace—neither too fast nor too slow.

Precision

The correct execution of an exercise ensures maximum performance efficiency. This does not mean rigidity but rather well-executed work that promotes well-being.

Breathing

In Pilates, fluid and complete inhalation and exhalation are an integral part of every exercise and must be coordinated with the movements being performed.

Joseph H. Pilates1883-1967