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This is a very interesting feature about Joseph Pilates on Mysteries at the Museum . (fast forward to 15:16 to begin) Learn the fascinating story of how Joseph Pilates came up with his unique exercise routines. You might be surprised that it involves cats!

On 12 February 1962, Sports Illustrated published Robert Wernick’s interview with Joseph Pilates entitled “Learning to be an Animal” where he talks about where the principles of Contrology were revealed to him – Knockaloe on the Isle of Man: “……..The full principles of Contrology were revealed to him during World War I. His circus was caught traveling in England when the war broke out in 1914, and Joe and all the others were interned ……….. on the Isle of Man. Here, as weeks l

Pilates is a popular form of exercise that is known for its ability to improve strength, flexibility, and posture. However, did you know that Pilates can also help to improve your endurance? Endurance is an important component of fitness that is necessary for many different types of activities, from running a marathon to hiking a mountain. Pilates is often thought of as a low-impact form of exercise, but it can actually be quite challenging and help to build endurance over ti

The primary difference between Pilates and weight training is that Pilates focuses on the stability system, the mechanics of movements, and building postural awareness and mobility. Weight training builds strength and power by targeting global muscles rather than small muscles and movements. Momentum is needed for lifting weights, and as a result, people often use different muscles and overload other areas. Pilates is a great complement to weight training as it teaches how to

We are all aging, and we want to do so as gracefully as possible but also with the least amount of pain and injury. Pilates is an excellent exercise option for our aging bodies! It is a safe, low impact form of exercise that can help prevent and overcome physical changes associated with aging. One physical change as we age is in our posture. Aging results in a natural decline in muscle mass, bone strength, and balance. These declines in addition to decreased activity because

Joseph Pilates didn't just invent the famous Pilates Reformer many of us have heard of. He also invented an apparatus most of us probably know nothing about called the Wunda Chair. This chair provides a challenging, varied workout in a small amount of space. Many exercises can be performed using the Wunda Chair, and it is excellent for strengthening the core muscles as well as the arms and legs. The exercises can be done lying, sitting, and standing on the chair as well as po

The practice of Pilates is so much more than a fitness craze. Pilates was developed and has been practiced since the 1920's when Joseph and Clara Pilates opened their Body Conditioning Gym in New York City. While Joe is the man behind the method of Pilates, his wife Clara taught in the studio and passed the method to apprentices. She is said to have been "the nurturing force behind the man." It was Clara who established the tradition of adapting the Pilates method to meet the

One of the goals of Bodyworks Youniversity is to educate the community about Pilates. What is Pilates? What are the benefits to you and your body?  The Pilates Method was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920's. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core which will develop stability throughout the entire torso. An integrative, full-body approach is taught from the beginning with a focus on functional movement patterns. Breathing deeply is also fundamental to Pilates. With im