Pilates

Pilates is a type of mind-body exercise developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, after whom it was named. He called his method "Contrology". It is practiced worldwide, especially in developed countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Pilates uses a combination of around 50 repetitive exercises to spur muscle exertion. Each exercise flows from the "five essentials": breath, cervical alignment, rib and scapular stabilization, pelvic mobility, and utilization of the transversus abdominis. Each exercise is typically repeated three to five times. As of 2023, over 12 million people practice Pilates.

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. His mother was a naturopath, and his father was a prize-winning Greek gymnast with a family gym. Both of his parents greatly influenced Joseph Pilates's later interest in therapeutic fitness. As a child he suffered from rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever. By all accounts he was quite sickly, yet he was obsessed about growing into a fit young man. Some accounts suggest he was obsessed with ancient Greek ideals of physique.

Either way, Joseph was determined to improve his ailments and strengthen his body. He dedicated himself to getting his body back in shape through physical training. He tried several fitness regimens, including martial arts, bodybuilding, gymnastics, boxing, and yoga. He also went outside to exercise and focused on improving his breathing to help his asthma.

By studying physiology and anatomy he then began to develop his own exercise regimes. Joseph’s early exercises produced fantastic results. By the time he was 14 his body was so well-defined he was chosen as a model for anatomical drawings. In his later teens he also became an accomplished skier, diver and gymnast.


In 1912 Joseph moved to England where he worked as a boxer and circus performer. He was on the Isle of Man when World War One broke out. He was not allowed to return to Germany and was interned as a prisoner of war. During this period, he worked as an orderly in a hospital. It was at this time Joseph began to develop his principles into a programme to support rehabilitation and recovery for patients in the hospital. It was soon noted that many of the patients who were doing Joseph’s exercises were improving faster. The image is of the WWI internment camp at Knockloe Moar in the Isle of Man.

After the war, Joseph returned to Germany and continued to work and develop his exercise regime, particularly in the dancing world. His growing reputation let to him being asked to train the German army. However, Joseph soon sought out new opportunities and moved to America.

Joseph and his wife opened ‘The Pilates Studio’ in New York and continued to teach their Pilates exercise method. He worked with clients from a range of specialisms but continued to court special interest from the dancing world.

Although Joseph’s original exercises have been adapted, modified and developed since his original teachings, the essence of core control and rehabilitation through movement remains at the heart of Pilates as an exercise method.

Pilates emphasizes core strength, which includes muscles of the abdomen, lower back, hips, and buttocks. The exercises are typically performed in a controlled manner with an emphasis on proper breathing techniques and smooth, flowing movements. It can be practiced using specialised equipment or solely with mat exercises.

The benefits of Pilates are numerous. It helps to build a strong core, which supports better posture and reduces the risk of back pain. By engaging the deep muscles of the abdomen and back, Pilates promotes overall stability and balance. It also improves flexibility, coordination, and muscular strength throughout the body. Additionally, Pilates exercises are low-impact and can be modified to suit individuals of different fitness levels and abilities, making it suitable for rehabilitation and injury prevention. Regular practice of Pilates can enhance body awareness and mindfulness, leading to improved concentration and stress relief. Overall, Pilates is a holistic exercise method that not only strengthens the body but also promotes mental well-being through its focus on controlled movement and breath. Today Joseph’s Pilates legacy continues to grow and evolve benefiting millions of people around the world.

Local practitioners of Pilates techniques include Corinne Mutlow in Lympsham, who teaches at various venues and offers access to online sessions for those who are less able to go out of their homes.

Corinne can be contacted at: coz@cmutlow.com

If you wish to sample Corinne’s online sessions, follow this link to a short video:

Sources:

Who was Joseph Pilates? - Pilates Live