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who was Joseph Pilates

Joseph Pilates (1880-1967)

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. As a frail child, he suffered from Rickets, Asthma and Rheumatic Fever and that led him to a lifetime’s dedication to physical fitness. He studied gymnastics,joseph pilates body-building, skiing, yoga and more and as a teenager, he was in good enough physical condition to pose for anatomical charts

Pilates left Germany for England in 1912, and continued to develop his system of exercise whilst interned during WWI because of his German citizenship. The origins of the modern day "Reformer", with its spring resistance and sliding carriage, are to be found in equipment that Joseph Pilates developed during that period to enable bed-ridden patients to continue to exercise and develop strength and flexibility, working with springs taken from their beds.

After the war Pilates came back to Germany, and his method gained favor in the dance community, but after refusing teaching it to the German army, he decided to immigrate to America. During the voyage he met his future wife Clara, who became his partner in all aspects. They settled in New York City and opened their studio at Eighth Avenue. His relationship with the American dance world grew rapidly, and he worked with George Balanchine, the NYC Ballet, Martha Graham, Ruth St. Denis, and more. At the New York Herald Tribune noted in 1964, "in dance classes around the United States, hundreds of young students limber up daily with an exercise they know as a Pilates, without knowing that the word has a capital P, and a living, right-breathing namesake."

Pilates continued to teach and develop equipment and exercises with Clara until his death in 1967 at age of 87. Joseph Pilates left no will and had designated no line of succession for the "Pilates" work to carry on. Nevertheless, his work was to remain. Currently, the Pilates Method is used internationally by individuals at all levels of fitness as well as by dance companies, Broadway shows, sports teams, and more. Millions throughout the world are practicing Pilates, and numbers continue to grow.

Testimonials

  • What I love about Pilates is the gentle approach to the exercise programme whilst nevertheless working all your muscles in depth and very efficiently. You can really feel your whole body working and strengthening by the minute.| Ingrid Seidel. |
  • Pilates is addictive!! As a very unfit and exhausted mother of two small children finding time for exercise had been very difficult. When I started Pilates classes I quickly learnt to really enjoy the physical and mental benefits of this amazing program. Pilates challenges my body to become stronger and more flexible and my mind to become more focused and positive.| Danika Rehfisch. |
  • After hearing the story of Pilates from friends in North America, I searched Bangkok for a Pilates instructor for several months. I couldn't have found a better, more focused teacher than Or-Yah. Starting from nothing, she taught me the basics and gave me the confidence I needed to continue on. I noticed improvements in my strength, flexibility and posture after only a few classes. Or-Yah is a great instructor and amazing mentor for anyone interested in improving their physical fitness. Bangkok is very fortunate to have someone so dedicated to teaching the Pilates method.| Scott Miller. |
  • After delivering my second baby I was anxious to quickly get back into shape. I had not exercised throughout my pregnancy due to complications. So when my son was two months old I found Or-Yah and began post-natal yoga sessions. When I felt strong enough we progressed to Pilates. Before pregnancy I had taken other forms of Pilates. I was familiar with some of the poses, but felt challenged by pure Pilates. I quickly learned Or-Yah was an expert at pure Pilates. Not only was she an extremely qualified instructor she was more importantly very supportive. With the eyes of a hawk she watches to ensure your body is in the proper alignment for each pose. There is no chance to be idle; she makes good use of your time. She is always ready to demonstrate each pose and provide detailed explanations. The change in my body was immediate; the focus of her teachings is strengthening your core. Your back and abdominal muscles after pregnancy are taxed and she really helps to work this area. Everyone I know wants to know my secret to getting back in shape. No fad diets or treatments, no surprises just Or-Yah. Constantly motivating she gave me an inner sense to continue attuning my body with my life. I feel more focused and strengthened for the physical and mental rigors of motherhood.Or-Yah really makes an impact on her students by connecting with them.| Kim Buhrman. |
  • Or-yah is a very dedicated instructor who takes her job very seriously. I have had many experiences with private instructors and I can easily say that she has proven herself to be the best. Since injuring my leg I am doing Pilates lessons with Or-yah and the improvement has been tremendous. Or-yah is always encouraging, and alert to anything that is not performed properly. When certain exercises cannot be preformed due to an injury or other factors she immediately finds an alternative. Working with the Pilates equipment has been am amazing experience for me. I have been taking Pilates and Yoga classes with Or-yah for over 2 years, she has guided me through a pregnancy and now through my injury. It is always a pleasure to come to Or-yah for instruction and am always left with a feeling of satisfaction.| Eilat Shoshani. |
  • Pilates is the only exercise program that I have ever done which I actually look forward to and miss when I can't make it to a session - in fact the only problem with Pilates is that it is totally addictive. After three months of fairly regular Pilates sessions, I feel stronger and more flexible, exercises that seemed impossible when I started are suddenly do-able: although Or-Yah never lets us get complacent as there is always a way to make an exercise just that little bit more challenging. As teacher, Or-Yah manages to combine the discipline of a drill sergeant with a sensitive awareness of what the student can manage. You don't get away with much but you thank her for it afterwards.| Sharon Thwaites. |
  • “After studying Pilates, my back id much stronger, I have become more flexible and my posture has improved. I really enjoy learning Pilates with Or-yah who is very experienced and knowledgeable and makes you see that nothing is impossible (except trying to do Pilates laughing!). | Lucienne Hughes. |