History of the Pilates Method

The Pilates Method is a physical fitness system that was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates.

In World War I, Joseph Pilates served as a medic for the captured German forces interned in Britain, investigating ways that soldiers could rehabilitate themselves while bed-ridden. Thus the creation of a series of movements that could be done in this position was created.

Instead of performing many repetitions of each exercise, Pilates preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring control and form. He designed more than 500 specific exercises. The most frequent form, called "matwork," involves a series of callisthenic motions performed without weight or apparatus on a padded mat.

Pilates created what is claimed to be a method of total body conditioning that emphasizes proper alignment, centring, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement that results in increased flexibility, strength, muscle tone, body awareness, energy, and improved mental concentration.

For young and old alike, today's lifestyles often involve long periods of sitting at desks, computer screens or watching television. These activities encourage the spine to move out of natural shape and can lead to lower back pain and round shoulders.

Your spine supports your body weight and its discs and natural curves enable it to absorb shock and move freely, and when your spine is in its natural S shape the weight of the body is supported more comfortably, movement is more fluid and wear and tear on the discs is minimised.

Pilates is a therapeutic exercise program that focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to providing support for the spine.

In particular, the exercises teach awareness of neutral alignment of the spine and strengthening of the deep postural muscles that support this alignment and are important to help alleviate and prevent back pain.