 Joseph was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a sickly child,
born with asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, and wanted to overcome
his frailty. Joseph’s forceful personality was beginning to emerge;
he refused to let his physical health stop him. He decided to become
as strong as physically possible, and became multi-skilled as a boxer,
gymnast, diver and martial artist. When he was fourteen years of age,
he was so fit that he modeled for anatomical charts!
Joseph moved to England in 1912 where he became a boxer, circus performer
and self-defense teacher of English detectives. Later, in WW1 Joseph
became a nurse in Lancaster. He trained the other interns and worked
with injured men in the hospital. He improvised the rehabilitation equipment
by using bedsprings attached to walls, so patients could exercise while
lying in bed. His rehabilitation was 80% more effective than techniques
used by other nurses. His rehabilitation work is the basis for Pilate’s
exercises.
After the war he went back to Germany, where he continued to develop
his exercises and mind-body philosophy. He believed his exercises would:
- Cure the mind and the body
- Revolutionize the world
- Abolish the need for unnecessary health care
In 1926 Joseph migrated to the U.S. On the ship back to New York he
met Clara, a nurse, who became his wife. He set up a studio in New York
City and began teaching his exercises and philosophy—primarily to ballet
clientele. Dance Magazine in February of 1956 reported that “At some
time or other, virtually every dancer in New York has meekly submitted
to the spirited instruction of Joe Pilates.” Contrology was formed while
working in the dance world with Martha Graham and Ballanchini.
Joe was one of the first holistic teachers. He said, “Not too little,
not too much.” He blamed the fast pace of life for many mental and bodily
challenges. “This too fast pace is plainly reflected in our manner of
standing, walking, sitting, eating and even talking, and results in our
nerves being on edge from morning to night.” This applies more than
ever to life in America today.
Joseph died in 1967 at the age of 87. He left no will or successor. However,
due to the benefits and popularity of his method, Joseph’s work was destined
to continue. His wife continued the studio, and in 1970, a student who
had been in Joe’s classes in the 1940’s directed the studio. Her name
is Romana Kryzanowska. |
