Born in 1880 near Dusseldorf Joseph Hubertus Pilates pushed himself to excel in Body Building, Gymnastics and Boxing to overcome childhood frailty. Pilates moved to England in 1912 where he boxed, taught self defence and was a circus performer. At the outbreak of World War One he was interned as German National in first in Lancaster and then on the Isle of Man, where he worked as an Orderly teaching and developing his method to patients fellow internees.
The effects of this period of development can be clearly seen in his method today, both the unique equipment he designed and his focus on restoration of the natural function of the human body. Although modern Pilates equipment looks very sleek, it is all based upon springs, pulleys and ropes, which were available during his period of internment. He added springs, ropes and pulleys to the beds of bed ridden wounded soldiers, allowing them exercise, preventing muscle wastage and increasing blood flow through injured limbs to speed up the healing process.
He went on to open his studio in New York a few years after the First World War finished in the building which housed the New York Ballet. He taught his method widely to: working men and women, celebrities and many luminaries of American dance including Martha Graham and George Balanchine.
No comments:
Post a Comment