Joseph Hubertus Pilates aka ‘ uncle Joe ‘ (nickname by his protege Romana Kryzanowska) was a German born fitness pioneer, an inventor, a visionary, a revolutionary, a passionate of human movement and true health.

He single-handedly changed and empowered his own health by bringing his body back to life.

He developed his program ” Contrology” known today as The Pilates method or Classical Pilates, a system of exercise that focuses on improving flexibility, strength, improved concentration, and overall body awareness. The Pilates method can be done on The Mat, and also equipments; The Reformer, The Tower, The Cadillac and The Chair.

Born on December 9, 1883, in Mönchengladbach, Germany, Joseph Pilates had a lifelong fascination with physical fitness and studied various exercise disciplines, including yoga and martial arts.

His unique method was inspired by animal movement, toddle movement, fetus’ natural curl and the law that governs the universe and nature.

Pilates’ early life was marked by struggles with health issues, which fueled his determination to improve his physical condition. He began developing his exercise system while interned in a British internment camp during World War I, using his fellow inmates as a test group. His method initially focused on using controlled movements and breathing techniques to strengthen the core muscles.

After the war, Joseph Pilates emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City in the 1920s. There, he established his first studio and started teaching his unique approach to fitness. Over time, his method gained popularity, particularly among dancers and athletes, for its ability to enhance strength, flexibility, and body control.

He wanted“Contrology” aka Pilates to help us stay healthy in modern life.
‘Moreover, such a body freed from nervous tension and over-fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well-balanced mind that is always fully capable of successfully meeting all the complex problems of modern living. Personal problems are clearly thought out and calmly met

His definition of True health:

‘As you progress in your self-instruction, you never have anything to “unlearn.” These exercises will actually become a part of your very self securely stored away forever in your subconscious mind’.

• Maintaining good posture – ‘ Never slouch, as doing so compresses the lungs, overcrowds other vital organs, rounds the back, and throws you off the balance created by poising the weight of your body on the balls of your feet.’
• Breathing the right way– ‘to breathe correctly you must completely exhale and inhale, always trying very hard to “squeeze” every atom of impure air from your lungs in much the same manner that you would wring every drop of water from a wet cloth. ‘Lazy breathing converts the lungs, figuratively speaking, into a cemetery for the deposition of diseased, dying, and dead germs as well as supplying an ideal haven for the multiplication of other harmful germs.’

Joseph Pilates believed he was 50 years ahead of his time. My hope is that more people discover the benefits of practicing classical Pilates, by spreading the word of his work with hope of inspiring more people to empower themselves and carries on the work of ‘uncle Joe’  just as he wished it would 84 years ago.

” Truth will prevail and

that is why

I know that my

teachings will reach

the masses

and finally, be adopted as

universal ~ Your health 1934

When classical Pilates is practiced as Joe created in his repertoire with full breath capacity, tempo, rhythm and full body integration. It can give you all the strength and power that you need both physically and mentally.

Joseph Pilates’s work was 50 years ahead of his time