History of Pilates

As a German citizen interned in an alien enemies camp in England at the start of World War I, Joseph Pilates developed an exercise system he called “Contrology” in order to maintain his overall health while imprisoned. He continued to build this system by working with fellow prisoners and injured soldiers by designing his “reformer”  to help with those who were bedridden and in the process of recovery. After World War I, Pilates moved to NYC and opened a studio to expand and further his vision and method. The system he developed is now called Pilates, after him.

As a Pilates instructor I can find value in the program he developed and ways of using the machines. Yet, my way of working with clients emphasizes a perspective where they do not feel a need to fundamentally change who they are or "control" themselves. Because of this, I do not work from a standpoint that aspires for an outcome encouraging a person to control their bodies in any extreme fashion. As a professional dancer and choreographer I am very qualified with the physical mechanisms that exist for people to discipline their anatomy. But if gone too far, this can be dangerous. I do not teach with the intent of altering who a person is, rather the hope to honor it. I believe that movement has the capacity for healing so I work with the steadfast commitment to resist the abusive and damaging dominance the fitness industry can propagate.