Joseph Pilates created a system by which millions of people around the world practice today. The beginnings of philosophy go back to the period of isolation that he had to undergo during his stay on the Isle of Man. It was at this time that Pilates discovered the importance of movement, not only for health and maintaining good physical condition, but also to maintain mental balance and better well-being. Daily exercises allowed him to survive the most difficult years of his
life.
Pilates is a classic exercise method developed at the beginning of the 20th century. It is movement and breath control, mind and body coordination. Full concentration on performed exercises. Today, classic Pilates helps to find inner balance and relief, as well as strength flowing from them. This method of exercise activates the whole body. It allows you to overcome pain caused by stress or cope with back problems.
The history of this method lies in the biography of Joseph Pilates, a German boxer and circus artist, who at the age of 30 moved to Great Britain with his family. Regarded by the English as enemy, he was interned on the Celtic Isle of Man, where he soon started working as a medical paramedic.
During his stay in the camp, he tried to fill his time mainly with education - studying medicine books and deepening knowledge about human anatomy and sport. He also observed cats, who, despite equally difficult living conditions, coped much better than interned prisoners. Joseph recalled: "Why were these cats in such good shape? Their eyes were bright and full of life, and in turn people seemed to be getting weaker and weaker every day, weakening their spirits and health. " Joseph found the answer by analyzing the movement and habits of these animals. Cats, guided by natural instinct, took every opportunity to stretch their body, constantly maintaining hot muscles. This inspiration became the beginning of the birth of an exercise system that today is practiced by over 12 million people in the world.
Throughout his stay on the Isle of Man, Pilates continually refined his method, and showed exercises to inmates, assessing the effectiveness of their actions. He noticed that daily training not only strengthens muscles, but also affects well-being - it was a recipe not only for maintaining the body in proper condition, but also for maintaining mental balance and easier coping with the sad reality of the camp. He also used these observations at work as a medical paramedic. He did not share the opinions of doctors who advised patients to have a passive rest. He constructed a suspended exercise machine from hospital beds, thanks to which patients could strengthen weak muscles. Pilates' help turned out to be beneficial in their faster recovery and regaining full strength.
After the war, Pilates and his family returned briefly to Germany, but due to the political and social issues that were taking place there, he eventually settled in America. In New York, together with his wife Klara, he opened the "Contrology" studio, now called the Pilates method.
The first enthusiasts of this exercise system were injured dancers from the adjacent ballet school. However, news of the effectiveness of the method and progress in rehabilitation quickly spread throughout the city, arousing widespread interest and an influx of new clients into the studio.
Joseph Pilates died at the age of 84, leaving behind 500 types of exercises, as well as designs of advanced proprietary training devices - now known as Cadillac. Before his death, Pilates trained 12 students who learned all the secrets of the method and could continue the philosophy of the master, passing on knowledge to subsequent generations.
The system created by Joseph Pilates emphasizes the special importance of maintaining a balance between mind and body. His philosophy was certainly ahead of the era in which he lived. Dzisiaj pilates jest jedną z najpopularniejszych metod ćwiczeń na całym świecie, a jej entuzjastami są np. takie gwiazdy jak Madonna, Darcey Bussell, Simon Callow. Although some exercises have been modified to suit modern thinking about training - the principles of relaxation, concentration, breathing, muscle coordination, fluidity of movement and endurance are still valid. Pilates has left behind the motto that today can be a leitmotif for each of us - movement and exercise are the basis for maintaining mental balance and well-being, regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves.