A Timeless Method
Joseph Pilates.’ vision for the world
The students who learned Contrology from Joseph himself, are called the Pilates Elders or the First Generation teachers. Next in line are students like myself who learned the method from those First Generation teachers. We are known as the Second Generation teachers.
Joe Pilates had decades to observe and document the effects of the hundreds of exercises he created. Until he passed in 1967 at the age of 83, his goal was always the same: practice Contrology on the mat and the apparatus and anyone can develop stretch, strength, control throughout the entire body.
Timeless method
Pilates Technique
Every Pilates exercise is designed to activate the deep abdominal, low back and core skeletal muscles. Time is also spent on the transitions from exercise to exercise which establishes a flow so necessary for mastering the full routines. In addition, the breath is integral to the method and many of the exercises are defined by the breath. Joe Pilates often said to his students, “If you only learn one thing from me, learn to breathe properly.” His Contrology studio in New York City was filled with apparatus meant for students to practice and achieve their fitness goals. But learning this method requires a methodical and careful approach until someone can understand where the work originates in the body.
He gave us brilliant gifts. Those “gifts” were originally built by Joe and his brother, Fred. Joe constantly tweaked the apparatus designs to accommodate his students. The invention list is awe-inspiring, beginning with the Foot Corrector followed by the Bench Mat, then the most recognizable apparatus, the Reformer. The list continues: Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Electric Chair, Baby Arm Chair, Guillotine, Bednasium, Junior Reformer, Ladder Barrel, Baby Barrel, Ped-O-Pul, Spine Corrector, Magic Circle, Toe Exerciser, Hands Tens-o-meter, Breath-o-sizer, Bean Bag Roll up device, Push-up Device, Airplane Board and the recent discovery and reproduction of the Resister. How cool and amazing is that line-up?
FACT
Joseph Pilates called his system Contrology, his students called it Pilates, but neither term is protected by a trademark. This means that anyone who develops a system of exercise can call it Pilates, even though it isn’t.
FACT
Healing possibilities
Joseph Pilates taught his method to anyone, but in particular those who were injured. His rehabilitative skills helped scores of people needing to be “fixed,” including most of the First Generations students. He studied the human body and how it functioned and even posed for anatomy charts.
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The Pilates Method has helped patients recover from broken bones, sprains, feet/hand issues, balance problems and it isn’t just Pilates studios that offer his healing method, but physical therapy clinics as well. Their clinically based Pilates treatments are among some of the most effective patient protocols. For those healing from an injury or are de-conditioned, a careful and thoughtful approach guarantees success as the body acclimates to moving from a strong torso. It’s a very deceiving method initially, because it appears as if the exercises are so simple to do. It’s only when a patient begins to understand how the movements feel deep inside the body, and as Joe Pilates explained to his students,
“work from your inner muscles,”
that the patient’s body can transform and heal.
