Question:
Are you new to Pilates!? No need to worry, you are not alone!
In the past 6 years, there has been more than a 500% increase
in the number of people practicing Pilates in the United States.
More than 10.5 million Americans now practice Pilates. Come
see why so many people are practicing Pilates!
Professional dancers were some of Joseph Pilates' original
clients, and have known about Pilates for decades. All-star
professional atheletes now practice Pilates to gain strength,
increase flexibility, and prevent injuries. Celebrities also
practice Pilates to maintain beautiful, sleek bodies.
No matter what your age or condition, we would love to work
with you. At Simply Pilates, we will help you look and feel your
very best!
Are you new to Pilates!? No need to worry, you are not alone!
In the past 6 years, there has been more than a 500% increase
in the number of people practicing Pilates in the United States.
More than 10.5 million Americans now practice Pilates. Come
see why so many people are practicing Pilates!
Professional dancers were some of Joseph Pilates' original
clients, and have known about Pilates for decades. All-star
professional atheletes now practice Pilates to gain strength,
increase flexibility, and prevent injuries. Celebrities also
practice Pilates to maintain beautiful, sleek bodies.
No matter what your age or condition, we would love to work
with you. At Simply Pilates, we will help you look and feel your
very best!
Pilates History
Pilates is named after its creator, Joseph Hubertus Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1880. Joe was a frail child,
suffering from athsma, rickets, and rheumatic fever, resulting in muscular weakness. Determined to overcome his physical
limitations, he dedicated his life to becoming physically stronger, and became accomplished in many sports, including
boxing, gymnastics, and skiing. Joe was also a performer.
At the outbreak of WWI, Joe was living in England and was placed under forced internment. During that time, he lived in
two different camps, refined his ideas of a fitness regimen, and trained other internees in his system of exercise
developed over 20 years prior to his forced interment. He was also a nurse/caretaker to the many internees struck with
wartime disease and physical injury. Taking springs from beds and rigging them to create spring resistance, he began
devising equipment to rehabilitate his "patients" and created "movement" for the bedridden, which led to his later equipment
designs. An influenza epidemic struck England in 1918, killing thousands of people, but not a single one of Joe's trainees
died. This, he claimed, testified to the effectiveness of his system, which he called "Contrology".
His experience led to the development of his unique method of physical and mental conditioning, which he brought to the
United States in the 1920s with his wife, Clara, where they opened up a body conditioning studio in NYC. In the early
1930s and 40s, popular dance choreographers, such as Martha Graham, George Balanchine, and Merce Cunningham,
embraced Pilates' exercise method. Joe continued to train clients until his death in 1967, at the ripe old age of 87.
"I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world,
should be doing my exercises. They'd be happier." - Joe Pilates, age 87
Pilates is named after its creator, Joseph Hubertus Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1880. Joe was a frail child,
suffering from athsma, rickets, and rheumatic fever, resulting in muscular weakness. Determined to overcome his physical
limitations, he dedicated his life to becoming physically stronger, and became accomplished in many sports, including
boxing, gymnastics, and skiing. Joe was also a performer.
At the outbreak of WWI, Joe was living in England and was placed under forced internment. During that time, he lived in
two different camps, refined his ideas of a fitness regimen, and trained other internees in his system of exercise
developed over 20 years prior to his forced interment. He was also a nurse/caretaker to the many internees struck with
wartime disease and physical injury. Taking springs from beds and rigging them to create spring resistance, he began
devising equipment to rehabilitate his "patients" and created "movement" for the bedridden, which led to his later equipment
designs. An influenza epidemic struck England in 1918, killing thousands of people, but not a single one of Joe's trainees
died. This, he claimed, testified to the effectiveness of his system, which he called "Contrology".
His experience led to the development of his unique method of physical and mental conditioning, which he brought to the
United States in the 1920s with his wife, Clara, where they opened up a body conditioning studio in NYC. In the early
1930s and 40s, popular dance choreographers, such as Martha Graham, George Balanchine, and Merce Cunningham,
embraced Pilates' exercise method. Joe continued to train clients until his death in 1967, at the ripe old age of 87.
"I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world,
should be doing my exercises. They'd be happier." - Joe Pilates, age 87
Misconceptions and Benefits
Misconceptions:
Pilates is like yoga. Pilates is just stretching. Pilates is just for women.
Pilates was invented about a 100 years ago in Europe and the United States. Yoga originated from over 2,000 year ago in
the Middle East and Asia. All Pilates movements are based from the engagement of the "core" muscles. If you think Pilates
is just stretching or just for women, why don't you talk to all the big guys who practice at Simply Pilates!
Benefits:
Build an evenly toned body and prevent injuries: All muscles in the body are strengthened in Pilates, even down to the tips
of your toes. In conventional workouts only certain muscle groups are engaged, so weak muscles tend to get weaker and
strong muscles tend to get stronger. Muscles often have to be retrained to work in a different fashion in Pilates, which
helps to prevent injuries.
Exercise in a safe and effective form: You can practice Pilates even if you have imbalances in your body due to joint
problems, rotator cuff injuries, carpel tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, or a number of other issues. Simple
modifications can be made for each exercise so all clients are safe when in a class. Pilates is so safe physical therapy
facilities around the country use it to rehabilitate injuries.
Challenge yourself: Pilates can continue to challenge you from beginner all the way to advanced levels. By simple
modifications, exercises can be made extremely difficult, challenging your stabilizing core muscles. Strong, healthy clients
often use Pilates as a form of an athletic discipline, so they are constantly being challenged.
Misconceptions:
Pilates is like yoga. Pilates is just stretching. Pilates is just for women.
Pilates was invented about a 100 years ago in Europe and the United States. Yoga originated from over 2,000 year ago in
the Middle East and Asia. All Pilates movements are based from the engagement of the "core" muscles. If you think Pilates
is just stretching or just for women, why don't you talk to all the big guys who practice at Simply Pilates!
Benefits:
Build an evenly toned body and prevent injuries: All muscles in the body are strengthened in Pilates, even down to the tips
of your toes. In conventional workouts only certain muscle groups are engaged, so weak muscles tend to get weaker and
strong muscles tend to get stronger. Muscles often have to be retrained to work in a different fashion in Pilates, which
helps to prevent injuries.
Exercise in a safe and effective form: You can practice Pilates even if you have imbalances in your body due to joint
problems, rotator cuff injuries, carpel tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, or a number of other issues. Simple
modifications can be made for each exercise so all clients are safe when in a class. Pilates is so safe physical therapy
facilities around the country use it to rehabilitate injuries.
Challenge yourself: Pilates can continue to challenge you from beginner all the way to advanced levels. By simple
modifications, exercises can be made extremely difficult, challenging your stabilizing core muscles. Strong, healthy clients
often use Pilates as a form of an athletic discipline, so they are constantly being challenged.
© Simply Pilates, Inc | 1207 Villa Place | Suite A | Nashville TN 37212 | Ph 615.321.5200 | F 615.321.5270
