Joseph Pilates1880 - 1967 Joseph Pilates began teaching his exercise program during WW1 in England. A German national, he was forced into an internment camp during the war and taught his program to fellow internees. At that time he called it Contrology and it was a program he developed from his studies in Yoga, Zen and ancient Roman exercises. He would later introduce spring resistance to his program. Pilates, as it is called today, owes much of its popularity to Joseph Pilates' wife , a nurse, who modified his methods to benefit injured patients. She helped make it an exercise that can be modified to suit anyone regardless of their fitness level or health level. In 1999 the Pilates Method Alliance was formed. This organization was created to train and to set standards for Pilates instructors.
Every day more and more people in the United States, Canada, Europe and other countries are learning the benefits of Pilates. The exercise program is designed to stretch, strengthen and balance your body. It does so in a way that anyone can do it regardless of age or physical condition. It is not a fad, it is an exercise program that you will see for many yeas to come. It has probably already popped up in your gym, YMCA and even your children's school.
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