Change happens through movement, and movement heals

Joseph H Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. He was a sickly child, suffering from Asthma & Rickets. His Greek father was an amateur gymnast and began to introduce Joseph to gymnastics, body building, Martial Arts & Boxing to build up his physical strength.

Joseph grew stronger with practice and became convinced that the “modern” lifestyle with a lack of movement, poor posture and inefficient breathing techniques was the root of ill health.

When he moved to England in 1912, he earned a living as a professional boxer, a circus-performer, and a self-defense trainer at police schools and Scotland Yard.

During World War I, the British authorities interned Joseph, along with other German citizens, in Lancaster Castle, where he taught wrestling and self-defense, boasting that his students would emerge stronger than they were before their internment.

During his youth he earned a living as a professional boxer. Circus performer and Self Defense trainer at police schools in Germany and in England.

He started to found his own method of training during World War I in an intern camp in England.

He returned to Germany after the war and continued to develop his system. It wasn’t long before he was invited to train the German army in preparation for World War II, he declined and set sail for America.

He met his wife Clara onboard the ship. Together they set up their studio in New York, from there Jo continued to develop his method, design his Equipment and teach the many people who came to learn from him and Clara.

Joseph and Clara Pilates soon established a devoted following in the local dance and performing-arts community of New York. Well-known dancers such as George Balanchine, who arrived in the United States in 1933, and Martha Graham, who had come to New York in 1923, became devotees and regularly sent their students to the Pilates for training and rehabilitation.

Jo & Clara continued to teach & supervise students at their studio well into the 1960’s.