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The Pilates Method was developed by Joseph Hubertus Pilates in the early 1900’s in Europe. It was post World War I when the first ‘rehabilitation aides’ helped the soldiers to regain their strength and mobility through the use of bed springs. Pilates developed his own equipment and exercise regimen from this idea of using springs that could be either resistive or assistive, thus accommodating the weakest to the burliest patient. After Joseph and his wife Clara migrated to New York, their gym was discovered and frequented by many of the entertainment industry in an effort to strengthen for their athletic roles and rehabilitate from the many injuries associated with professional entertainment work. As Joseph Pilates aged, many of the staff he trained moved to other areas of the country and started their own independent gyms. In the mid-80’s, the Pilates Method was revived and promoted nationally and internationally, largely through the efforts of Elizabeth Larkham, formerly of the Center for Sports Medicine in San Francisco, and their equipment manufacturer, Current Concepts (now the Balanced Body). Today, the Pilates Method is considered the ground- work for all serious athletes and dancers, as well as an excellent entry for those embarking on a new commitment to a full fitness lifestyle.
My entry into Pilates began with a hard fall onto my right ‘sitz bone’ during a performance while I was a graduate student at Mills College 1978. After graduation I literally was carried out of dance classes/rehearsals because of back spasms set off by the fall. I sought out somatic and osteopathic care, but it wasn’t until I began Pilates at the Center in San Francisco in 1985 that I began to control my condition. I discovered I had scoliosis, although considered ’minor’, that needed spinal strength. I was asked to join the staff, and so I began the journey to learn how to help others from my own experience. This path led me into private practice and to pursue a full health professional education, culminating in a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, with a Pilates emphasis. |
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Pilates’ History My own story |
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To contact us: |
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Joseph Pilates |
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Suzanne on box |
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Pilates Therapeutics LLC and Total Body Development™ |