Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in Germany . As a child with many
physical problems his parents enrolled him at gymnastic school. He
became a very skilled gymnast and when he left school he joined the
circus. By now he was also teaching boxing and there are records
of him instructing the police force in the United Kingdom . When
the First World War broke out like all German nationals he was held
in an internment camp. Here he decided that the other detainees should
exercise too and so he had everyone doing this exercise programme
he had developed. Interestingly there was very little illness in
this camp where they were exercising compared to other camps where
there had been a lot of fatalities due to an influenza epidemic.
Word spread about this man and his exercise technique and he was
moved into a hospital as a medical aid. Again he could not stand
watching patients lying there wasting away, so he attached springs
to the head of the beds and had them start exercising. The patients
that were exercising got better quicker. Following the war he went
back to Germany but after a brief spell training the German police
and the newly formed German army he decided he did not like the way
Germany was developing so he left for America . He had met his wife
Clara and they opened an exercise studio where he started teaching
his exercise technique. The style of exercises attracted the dancers
of the time. Martha Graham who was also developing her radical approach
to movement and had a reputation as a revolutionist in the dance
world allowed her dancers to attend Pilates' studio. Later she would
not be so keen, stories are told of these strong personalities clashing,
but it is because of the popularity of Pilates' method that it quickly
became known as a dancers technique and through the years dancers
have always used it not only to strengthen their bodies but also
to rehabilitate after injury. Pilates never danced himself but the
people around him obviously influenced his teachings, later in video
footage of social gatherings with Pilates it is always dancers who
were around him. Pilates continued to develop his technique, eventually
publishing a book that had thirty-four movements in it, and it is
this book that many instructors use as a reference point because
he banned anyone teaching the technique but him. Many have claimed
they own this technique through the years but courts in the USA have
released the technique to the public as a generic exercise term just
as Yoga is, no single person can own this technique. Pilates instructors
continue to take the principles that Joseph Pilates originally developed
and apply them to movement adding their own ideas and beliefs. I
think this is the most exciting side of the technique, for me it
has never been just about thirty four movements but a way of working.
We now know so much more about how the human body works and I am
sure that if Joseph Pilates was still with us he would be right there
adapting and changing what he taught.
We must realise that Pilates today is not about doing what Joseph
Pilates could do so well, because he had an exceptional level of
physical conditioning. That is not to say that eventually you will
not be able to do the 'original' moves, but you really need to ask
yourself whether the original moves are appropriate at the moment,
and most effective, for what you need and are able to undertake comfortably.
Doing the original moves if you are just commencing a Pilates programme
is like suggesting if you were a step novice to undertake an advanced
step class. The original Pilates moves are not usually appropriate
for clients or students who are not familiar with the correct techniques,
and we all know one of the fastest ways to de-motivate participants
is to prescribe activities that are unachievable or uncomfortable.
There are two main elements to a comprehensive Pilates programme.
Matwork and Equipment based sessions.
Matwork can be carried out in the same studios that are utilised
for other group exercise programmes. The only equipment you would
need is a mat for each client. A Matwork programme is the perfect
way to introduce Pilates to a club.
As with other programmes the instructor plays a key role. There is
no substitution for having a personal trainer look at the way you
are doing the exercise but this is not always possible and what I
hope is that you can start learning the technique if you do not know
it already and if you are a Pilates disciple maybe I can suggest
ways to take the technique to a new level.
There are over 500 different exercises in a Pilates programme, many
of which can be carried out in a group situation and others that
require a more individual approach.
Pilates is not a quick fix and cannot be dealt with as such. The
programme should be considered as a long-term investment that will
allow you to profit far into the future.
The obvious benefit of such a large repertoire is that all levels
of ability can be catered for over time. However clients need to
take on board that although they may be able to run a marathon, they
may have little or no core strength and as such need to start with
the basics of the technique before moving on to the more challenging
levels. In a group format the instructor will play a vital role in
setting the pace of the class. A skilled instructor can run a mixed
ability group well and safely, but they also need to appreciate the
limitation imposed on them from working with larger numbers.
REBALANCE INSTITUTE METHOD
The Rebalance Institute faculty respect and acknowledge the original
work of Joseph Pilates, but are keen to present his great method
to a contemporary exercise population. The Rebalance Institute Method
allows for creativity and accepts that clients and students may for
various reason be unable to perform the original repertoire as Joseph
Pilates taught it.
We will help all participants to lengthen and strengthen muscles,
improve core strength and quality or breath and allow everyday movement
to be carried out with ease and elegance.
When sufficient core strength and ability is achieved students will
have a firm foundation on which to build their Pilates training and
education.
