Remembering Pilates Beginning's this Memorial DayPilates StudiosUpdated on May 12, 2015 View more like this | Visit CAMARILLO, CA | Contact Pilates With June |
Always, at this time of year our attention is brought to the appreciation of the gift of freedom we have been given by all of those who have given their service, their lives and or their mental and physical well being. We not only honor those who have served, but their families and loved ones.
This Memorial Day I am reminded of the history of Joseph Pilates. The Pilates Method that has helped so many of us was actually designed to help the injured internees in England in WWI.
As a child Joseph was plagued with illness. He suffered with rickets, asthma, and rheumatic fever. He began studying Western and Eastern forms of exercise including: Yoga, Zen, and Tai Chi. He studied the ancient Greek and Roman philosophies of exercise, and thus began his own physical regimen of body building, boxing, gymnastics, skiing and diving. By the early age of fourteen, Joseph had changed his body so dramatically, he was asked to pose as a model for anatomy charts. This was just the beginning of his lifelong dedication to physical and mental well being.
As a young adult, Joseph was held in internment in England. He taught wrestling and self-defense to his fellow internees, and became very popular with them. It was there that he started refining his method of conditioning called, “Contrology.” It was during this time he experimented by taking bedsprings and rigging them up to the hospital bed headboards and footboards. He also hooked springs to wheelchairs. These springs provided a form of resistance to those confined. He also devised a variety of handholds above the beds, for patients and nurses to hold to facilitate changing patient positions. These small apparatus drew great attention from doctors as they witnessed tremendous improvement in their patient’s strength and health. These first bedsprings, led to Joe’s first official piece of apparatus, which later became known as the “Trap Table” or “Cadillac.”
I appreciate so much, those that have served, and their loved ones. I am also so very grateful for Joseph Pilates and all the others that have contributed so much to the health and well being of our soldiers.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
This Memorial Day I am reminded of the history of Joseph Pilates. The Pilates Method that has helped so many of us was actually designed to help the injured internees in England in WWI.
As a child Joseph was plagued with illness. He suffered with rickets, asthma, and rheumatic fever. He began studying Western and Eastern forms of exercise including: Yoga, Zen, and Tai Chi. He studied the ancient Greek and Roman philosophies of exercise, and thus began his own physical regimen of body building, boxing, gymnastics, skiing and diving. By the early age of fourteen, Joseph had changed his body so dramatically, he was asked to pose as a model for anatomy charts. This was just the beginning of his lifelong dedication to physical and mental well being.
As a young adult, Joseph was held in internment in England. He taught wrestling and self-defense to his fellow internees, and became very popular with them. It was there that he started refining his method of conditioning called, “Contrology.” It was during this time he experimented by taking bedsprings and rigging them up to the hospital bed headboards and footboards. He also hooked springs to wheelchairs. These springs provided a form of resistance to those confined. He also devised a variety of handholds above the beds, for patients and nurses to hold to facilitate changing patient positions. These small apparatus drew great attention from doctors as they witnessed tremendous improvement in their patient’s strength and health. These first bedsprings, led to Joe’s first official piece of apparatus, which later became known as the “Trap Table” or “Cadillac.”
I appreciate so much, those that have served, and their loved ones. I am also so very grateful for Joseph Pilates and all the others that have contributed so much to the health and well being of our soldiers.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
This soldier states: "It gives a certain pride that these ballet dancers/Pilates instructors have chosen to spend their free time and effort on helping us. What an amazing initiative they have taken." I think Joseph Pilates would be proud that his methods are helping wounded soldiers regain their bodies.
