This month is Joe Pilates Birthday!
Yes, I celebrate birthday’s for an entire month. I’m a leo…I like to keep the party going. ;-)
1883-1967
Pilates has become synonymous with women.
What many don’t realize is that Pilates was designed by a man, for men.
The Man Behind The Method
Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in Mönchengladbach, Germany, in 1883. As a child, he suffered from rheumatic fever, rickets, and asthma.
In an effort to restore his own health, he began studying anatomy — as well as a variety of disciplines — including body-building, boxing, and gymnastics.
His studies were reinforced by observing animals, which solidified his understanding of healthy and efficient movement.
“As a child, I would lie in the woods for hours, hiding and watching the animals move, how the mother taught the young.”
His Method Begins To Take Shape
When World War I began, Joe was in Britain training to box. Due to his German citizenship, the British government imprisoned him as an enemy alien.
It was during his time in the internment camp that he took on the role of physical instructor; keeping the other prisoners and injured soldiers in good health.
The men that were physically sound performed mat exercises. For those who were bedridden, Joe disassembled the beds and used the springs to create resistance that would safely rehabilitate them.
Unfamiliar with how he designed his system of movement (Mat and Apparatus)? Click here.
Pilates Comes To The States
In 1926, Joe and his wife Clara arrived in New York City and opened a studio where he taught his developing method.
Most of his clients were men who ranged from in-shape boxers to out-of-shape business men.
When dance choreographers George Balanchine and Martha Graham discovered the method’s rejuvenating qualities, they began sending all their dancers to Joe to “get fixed”.
It was then that the dancers — whom were predominately women — immersed themselves in the method. Over time, a greater number of women studied and taught Pilates.
Today, men are rediscovering the method. Famous male athletes swear by Pilates to not only keep them healthy and fit, but to enhance what the method is bringing to their sport.
“Even more remarkable than his dynamic play this season is the fact that Brown doesn’t lift weights in the off-season. Instead, he incorporates Pilates workouts into his training. They have enhanced his core strength, developed explosive power in his hips and glutes and created muscle balance through strengthening and alignment.” — Antonio Brown (wide receiver / free agent)
Next time you think that Pilates is just for women, think again! And then get yourself to class. ;-)