Benefits of Pilates

Pilates can benefit those who have never exercised a day in their life, as well as those who are highly active athletes.

Pilates is a wonderful way to:

• build long lean muscle
• continue the rehabilitation process after physiotherapy
• improve sport performance
• improve your posture
• relieve stress

  

Long-term Benefits

Practised faithfully, Pilates yields numerous long-term benefits including:

• better posture, balance and core strength
• increased lung capacity and circulation through deep, healthy breathing
• increased bone density

History of Pilates

Pilates was developed in the early 1900s by Joseph Pilates in Germany.

As a diver, gymnast and boxer, he developed a system of exercise after studying yoga, Zen meditation and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens. He further refined his method while he was an orderly during WWI as a way to rehabilitate patients.

In the 1920s, Joseph and his wife, a nurse, brought his method to New York City where they established a Pilates studio and the Pilates method grew in popularity with dancers.

His protégé Romana Kryzanowski was asked by Joseph and his wife to carry on his teachings. She still continues to do so today, in her eighties in New York City along with her daughter and granddaughter.