About Joseph Pilates

Joseph Pilates was a genius far ahead of his time. Born in Germany in 1883, Joseph Pilates was a sickly boy who made it his life’s mission to develop a system of intelligent movement that promoted whole body health and wellness. As an adult he used his training in gymnastics, body building and martial arts to develop his movement system he named “Contrology.” He used his interment during World War I to refine and hone his exercises, focusing on correcting poor postural and breathing habits. Following his immigration to the United States in the 1920’s, he and his wife Clara opened their studio in New York City. From there they trained the very first Pilates instructors. Decades later, the genius of Pilates and the movements and equipment he created have been used for both physical fitness and physical therapy.