Josepf H. Pilates
Born in 1880 in Düsseldorf, Joseph H. Pilates suffered a childhood of maladies, experiencing illnesses such as asthma, rheumatism and aclasis. However at a young age, by showing a keen interest in skiing, gymnastics and body building he developed himself and his body. At the age of 14 and 15 he began to pose for anatomy posters. When 18 years of age, he began to work in a circus and whilst there, he learnt how to box. During World War I, he started to work in a hospital in England where he began to develop his own methods on wounded soldiers. In 1918 during the influenza epidemic, while many people were losing their lives, the realisation that the soldiers that had worked with J. Pilates were unaffected, paved the way for Pilates and his techniques in becoming renowned. After the War, when Pilates returned to Germany, he was offered the opportunity to work with German police officers but he declined the offer and headed to America where he opened his own studio. He began to treat mainly injured dancers who frequented his studio. Within a short space of time, the Pilates method became widely used especially among Graham and Balanchine dancers.
Joseph Pilates’s School of Thought: To have a body healthy enough to enjoy life.
WHAT IS PILATES? The method named “Contrology” by Joseph H. Pilates, is a synthesis of the systems of balance, breathing and movements, which foresee the mind and body as a whole. It is a system that is founded on the strengthening and ensurance of the felixibility of the muscles, especially the inner stomach muscles, for the lifelong protection of joints and bones.
THE BENEFITS OF PILATES : - Develops the posture
- Increases the energy of the entire body
- Strengthens all main muscles
- Improves condition
- Increases athletic performance
- Improves concentration
- Increases flexibility and support so that all the joints of the entire mechanism can function
- Increases stamina and strength
- Learning how to use deep breaths during all exercises
- Creates a taller, more proportionate and leaner body
- Balances the weaker parts of the body
- Develops the movement in the legs and ankles
THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES CONCENTRATION : The mind creates the body. This principle is defined as “the skill of concentrating on the body part which is doing the work in order to achieve greater results”. When an exercise session includes the mind as opposed to excluding it then it becomes more productive. BREATHING: Pilates stresses the technique of taking in whole breaths for each movement so as to increase flexibility and strength. The individual works more effectively on the main areas by using the deep breathing technique. FOCUSING/ESTABLISHING CENTRAL POINT: All movements derive from the “Power House” inside human beings, as taught by Pilates. The Power House consists of; the abs, lower back and thighs. These are the most important group of muscles for stabilisation. CONTROL: every movement has an aim and objective. Focusing on the movement and our breathing during each exercise, helps us to control all aspects of the movement. PRECISION: Precision is an element of control. The more precise we perform our movements, the more we increase their quality. FLOWING MOVEMENT: Calm, controlled and flowing movements aid the entire body in working towards flexibility. ISOLATION: As we have a strong desire for the limbs on our main body and weaker parts to become stronger, when refering to the Power House, the Pilates coach will use the notion of isolation.When we enable these weak muscles to strengthen, then we will have a strong and flexible body. ROUTINE: J.Pilates stated “In 10 sessions you will be aware of the difference, in 20 sessions you will feel the difference and after 30 you will have a new body”. |
