JOSEPH HUBERTUS PILATES
Born near Dusselfdorf, Germany in 1880. A sickly child, whom suffered from Asthma, rickets and rhematic fever, he dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger. In his youth Pilates studied and became profiecient at body building, diving, skiing and gymnastics. (By the time he was 14 he was fit enough to pose for Anatomical Charts)
In 1912 Pilates moved to England where he earned a living initially as a boxer, circus performer, and self defence trainer of english detectives. World War 1 broke out and he was intened in a camp in Lancaster and later on the Isle of Man. Pilates became a nurse in the camp and trained other interns in physical fitness. He was widely credited when none of the other inmates succumbed to an influenza epidemic that killed 1000's.
After the war Pilates continued his fitness programs in Hamburg where he worked with the local police force. In 1926 he was disenchanted with the German army and he left and moved to America. On the ship to New York he met his future wife Clara.
Shortly after Pilates' arrived in New York, Joe set up an exercise studio at 939 Eighth Avenue. While not much is known about the earliest years of the Pilates' practice, by the 1940's Joe had achieved noteiriety in the dance community. "At some time or other," reported Dance Magazine in its February, 1956 issue, "virtually every dancer in New York, and certainly everyone who has studied at Jacob's Pillow between 1939 and 1951, has meekly submitted to the spirited instruction of Joe Pilates."
By the early 1960's the Pilates' could count amoung their clients many New York dancers. George Balanchine worked out "at Joes" as he called it, and also invited Pilates to instruct his young ballerinas at the New York City Ballet. In fact "Pilates" was becoming popular outside of New York as well.
As the New York Herlad Tribune noted in 1964, "in dance classes around the United States, hundreds of young students lumer up daily with an exercises they know as the Pilates, without knowing that the word has a capital P, and a living, right-breathing namesake."
While Joe was still alive, only two of his students, Carola Trier and Bob Seed, are known to have opened their own studios. Trier, who had extensive dance background, found her way to the United States after she fled a Nazi holding camp in France by becoming a contortionist in a show.
She found Joe Pilates in 1940, when a non-stage injury pre-empted her performing career. Joe Pilates assisted Trier in opening her own studio in the late 1950's and then Pilates and Trier remained close friens until the respective deaths of Joe and Clara.
Bob seed was another story. A former hockey player turned "Pilates" enthusiast, Seed opened a Studio across town from Joe and tried to take away some of Joe's clients by opening very early in the the morning, but it was unsuccesful and Seed eventually left town.
When Joseph died in 1967, his method was barely known beyond the elite group of dancers, actors and wealthy clients who trained at his studio. Joe believed passionately in his work and wanted every school and gym to teach it. He dreamed of a day when "Pilates" would become a household word. "I am fifty years ahead of my time," he once said. He was right. Today, millions of people practice Pilates around the world, and the number just keeps growing! Now, with the Pilates name free from any trademark restrictions, Joseph Pilates' dream may yet become reality.
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