Pilates Fitness

The Pilates fitness exercise has its origins in the work of the late Joseph Pilates. Joseph was born in 1880 in Germany. He was a sickly child but he was determined to strengthen his body so he turned to physical fitness programs to improve his body image. He became a skilled sportsman, developing talents in sports as varied as diving, gymnastics and boxing. 

When World War I broke out, Pilates was interned and taught his method to other internees. He was credited that none of his trainees died during the influenza epidemic of 1918.

Returning to Germany, he came into contact with the world of dance, to this day, Pilates are part of the celebrated 'Holm Technique'. At the same time as working with dancers, Joseph Pilates was also instructing the Hamburg police force in self-defense! He was, in fact, asked to train the new German army, but declined and decided to emigrate to the United States of America. On the boat trip to America, he met Clara, whom he later married. They established a studio in New York.

His studio soon began to attract the 'elite' of New York with leading ballet dancers coming to him because his exercises perfected and complemented their traditional exercise program. Actors and actresses, sportspersons, the rich and the famous were all attracted to a workout that built strength without adding bulk, balancing that strength with flexibility, and achieving the perfect harmony between mind and muscle.

Yet, until recently, Pilates has been essentially unknown to the general public. The move towards mind and body exercise techniques are gathering speed. Some avid fitness buffs calling Pilates "the hottest alternative fitness subcult". It has been discovered by celebrities who also love what the method does for them. It is comforting to know that you are in such good company!

Pilates is a method of physical and mental conditioning. The method is a means used to attain an end, the conditioning of the mind and body into a fused state of readiness. Joseph Pilates originally called his method contrology - the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit. The practice focuses on strengthening and stretching the body; resulting in long, lean muscles.

Pilates is a life-long process of training your body with an expectation of health and wellness.

You may be asking Why Pilates? Here are some reasons to use Pilates:

Redistribute Your Body Weight
Boost Your Energy.
Control Every Muscle.
Strengthen Your Mind.
Shrink Your Waistline.
Breathe Deeper.
Increase Your Flexibility.
Stand Up Straighter.
Look Better Naked.
Stretch Away Stress.

Pilates develops core strength, movement efficiency, integration of body and mind. Pilates is a method of full body movements resulting in increased coordination.

Check out Winsor Pilates!