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Joseph H. Pilates
Joseph H Pilates was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1880. As the result of a frail childhood, Joe began to build his strength and health by adapting various aspects of gymnastics, martial arts, dance and yoga in an attempt to develop a strong and flexible body. This early personal goal would eventually lead to Joe's lifelong interest in body conditioning.
In 1912, Joe left Germany for England and trained initially as a boxer. At the outbreak of World War 1, he was interned in England (being at that time a German National) and was sent to the Isle of Man to work as a nurse. During this period he designed and developed various exercise apparatus for the use of immobilised patients by attaching springs to their hospital beds with the intention of aiding recovery and rehabilitation. It was during this period that he developed a piece of apparatus that was later to become universally known as the 'Reformer'.
At the end of World War 1, Joe briefly returned to Germany before finally migrating to the United States where he continued to develop and formalise his fitness regime, culminating in the opening of his first 'Pilates Studio' in New York in 1926. His clients came from all walks of life, although it was a significant turning point for Joe when, during the 1940s, the dance community embraced the 'Pilates Method' with legends such as George Ballanchine and Martha Graham sending their dancers to his gym for injury prevention and rehabilitation classes.
Since that time, the 'Pilates Method' has been adopted by a broad spectrum of users worldwide and at all levels of fitness, including not only dance companies but also many other areas of sport including athletics, rugby, football and golf, to name only a few.
After his death in New York in 1967, Joe's legacy was passed down to his apprentices, notably Eve Gentry, Ron Fletcher and Romana Krysonowska. The legacy continues to the present day with many different styles of Pilates being taught worldwide.
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