The PILATES theme of the week is JOSEPH PILATES:
Joseph Pilates said:
“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. It is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body as well as a sound mind, fully capable of naturally and satisfactorily performing our many daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.”
Joseph Pilates said:
“In ten sessions you’ll feel the difference, in twenty you’ll see the difference and in thirty you’ll have a new body.”
Stephanie Powers said:
“Pilates is the single most effective exercise technique I have ever known.”
Wayne Sleep said:
“Pilates is a fundamental part of my dance training.”
The Times said:
“For more than 60 years Pilates has been the best kept secret of the fit, chic and the beautiful.”
Cosmopolitan said:
“I used muscles in Pilates I never knew I had.”
Joseph Pilates 1880 – 1967
When embarking on a new form of exercise, it is comforting to know that its originator lived to the age of 84 and died trying to save his Pilates Studio from a fire! Joseph Pilates was born in 1880. He was a frail child who suffered from rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever. He was determined to overcome his fragility but instead of following the established fitness regime he experimented with many different approaches. Yoga, gymnastics, skiing, self-defence, dance, circus training and weight training all influenced him and he chose aspects of each to develop his own body. By absorbing these other methods and selecting the most effective features, Joseph Pilates was able to work out a system which had the perfect balance of strength and flexibility.
Having proven their worth on his own body, he then began to teach these techniques to others. He trained detectives at Scotland Yard, war veterans in an infirmary on the Isle of Man, the Hamburg Police, the German Army, and in his Pilates Studio in New York, top ballet dancers, actors, actresses, gymnasts and athletes.
Joseph Pilates set up his studio in New York in 1926. The Pilates Method has been taught for almost 100 years but it is only more recently that the medical profession has begun to look at why the system is so successful. New ideas from physiotherapy techniques have been incorporated into the Pilates Method.
One major principle dominates his work; there must be commitment to the exercises, no excuses, and they must be done regularly to realise results! He insisted clients sign up for 3 sessions a week to feel the full benefit.
We realise that attending 3 classes a week is too much for most people although some of our clients do attend twice a week. However, if you attend one class a week you can use our free 20 minute online classes on the Pilates page of our website the other 6 days a week. You are then managing the 3 hours a week recommended by Joseph Pilates.
We look forward to seeing you in your Pilates class this week.