The Pilates Method

Joseph Pilates

Joseph Pilates, the creator of the Pilates method, was born in Germany in 1883. He was a dedicated and innovative individual who developed his exercise system to improve physical fitness, health, and well-being. Initially, Pilates’ method was known as “Contrology,” emphasizing control and precision in every movement.

Pilates’ early life was marked by physical challenges, including asthma, rickets, and a frail body. Determined to overcome these obstacles, he studied anatomy, physical training, and various exercise techniques, including yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts. This knowledge helped him develop a unique system that combined strength, flexibility, and body awareness. Pilates believed that the modern lifestyle, poor posture, and inefficient breathing were at the root of poor health. He ultimately devised a series of exercises and training techniques and engineered the necessary equipment to properly teach his methods.

Pilates’ system focuses on strengthening the “powerhouse” muscles — the core muscles of the abdomen, back, and pelvic floor. He believed that a strong core was the key to overall body strength and optimal health. He also emphasized proper alignment, breathing, and control, which became central principles in the Pilates method.

During World War I, Pilates was interned along with other German citizens in a camp on the Isle of Man. While there, he used his method to help rehabilitate injured soldiers, further refining his techniques and demonstrating their effectiveness. After the war, he opened a studio in New York City, where he worked with dancers, athletes, and people from various walks of life, helping them improve strength, posture, and flexibility. Over time, his method gained popularity and became a widely respected form of exercise.

Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967, but his legacy continues through the Pilates method, which is practiced worldwide today. His approach to fitness remains highly regarded for its ability to improve core strength, flexibility, and overall body mechanics, with an emphasis on mindful movement and control.

More on Joseph Pilates’ Work

Joseph Pilates created movements performed on the floor (mat work), where there is no stress on the joints, but rather on the muscles that support them. Generally, Pilates exercises can be done on a Pilates mat or on special apparatus. While on the mat, the body supplies its own resistance to movement via gravity. Apparatus work offers a different kind of challenge, placing resistance against motion while offering support as you stretch farther and into different positions.

Romana Kryzanowska

Romana Kryzanowska was a renowned figure in the world of Pilates and a key person in preserving the Pilates legacy. Born in 1923, Romana was a student of Joseph Pilates and his wife, Clara. Her Pilates journey began at the age of 17 when she suffered an ankle injury while studying at George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet. She was introduced to Joseph Pilates by Balanchine, who recommended Pilates’ method as an alternative to surgery. The success of the exercises in rehabilitating her injury led Romana to study Pilates intensively under his direct guidance.

Romana became deeply committed to the Pilates method, dedicating herself to mastering it under the supervision of both Joseph and Clara Pilates. After their passing, Romana inherited their New York City studio and devoted herself to preserving their legacy. She traveled the world for over six decades, training and educating the next generation of Pilates instructors. Her daughter, Sari Mejia Santo, who also trained directly with the Pilates, worked alongside her mother for more than 30 years.

Romana believed Pilates was more than just an exercise program — it was a way of life. She emphasized that Pilates principles should be applied to everyday activities, such as how you sit and walk. Romana compared Pilates to building a house: “You build the foundation and work up from that point until you have a strong, solid structure that should be maintained regularly.”

Romana Kryzanowska passed away on August 30, 2013, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the foremost authorities on Pilates and a teacher who played an instrumental role in the global spread of the Pilates method.