PILATES:

First named “Contrology”, Pilates was created by Joesph Pilates in the first half of the 20th century.  Born in 1880, Pilates was a sickly child who worked hard to become healthy and fit by studying whatever movement and anatomy he could..  As a young man, Pilates studied boxing, skiing, swimming, yoga, circus arts and self-defense.  While working in internment camps in England during WWI, Pilates began to develop his system of exercise using bedsprings attached to wounded soldier’s beds to help them strengthen whatever parts of their bodies they were able.  In 1926, Pilates moved to New York City with his wife, Clara, and opened his first studio.  His methods became much used by dancers for recovering and preventing injuries.  Over time, the Pilates method has spread and is now a much respected method of exercise that meets those of all fitness levels.  At the heart of Pilates are the principles of Centering, Control, Concentration, Breath, Flow and Precision.  Pilates exercises work to strengthen the whole body from its core outward using optimum body alignment.  Pilates is performed on a mat and/or using specialized spring driven apparatus for added resistance and challenge.