Historical Figure
Joseph Pilates
1883–1967
German physical trainer (1883–1967)
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Biography
Joseph Hubertus Pilates was a German physical trainer, writer, and inventor. He is credited with inventing and promoting the Pilates method of physical fitness. He patented a total of 26 apparatuses in his lifetime.
Timeline
The story of Joseph Pilates, told in moments.
Interned as an enemy alien in England during WWI. Taught his exercises to fellow internees. Attached springs to hospital beds so bedridden patients could exercise. The Cadillac reformer was born in a prison camp.
Emigrated to New York. Opened a studio at 939 Eighth Avenue, in the same building as several dance rehearsal spaces. George Balanchine and Martha Graham sent their injured dancers to him.
In Their Own Words (3)
Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.
William Miller, Return to Life Through Contrology (1960), 1960
The acquirement and enjoyment of physical well-being, mental calm and spiritual peace are priceless to their possessors if there be any such so fortunate living among us today. However, it is the ideal to strive for, and in our opinion, it is only through Contrology that this unique trinity of a balanced body, mind, and spirit can ever be attained.
Return to Life Through Contrology
I'm not concerned with body building; I'm just trying to make people normal human beings.
Artifacts (15)
Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology Revised Edition for the 21st Century
First published in 1945, Pilates Return to Life Through Contrology contains the authorized, legal, edited, and original Library of Congress version of Joseph H. Pilates and William J. Miller s first...
made him realize that someday he would study law
tin class. After a vigorous defense that made use of his "budding rhetorical and political skills", he told the Latin teacher Elizabeth Buck it "made him realize that someday he would study...
Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercising that Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education
"In this book, you will learn Joseph Pilates' fundamental tenets of posture, body mechanics, and correct breathing. You will discover his first teachings about spinal flexibility, physical education,...
A Obra completa de Joseph Pilates: Sua Saúde e Retorno à Vida Através da Contrologia
A obra completa de Joseph Pilates aborda aspectos relevantes para todos nós, apresentando o que Joseph Pilates denominou Contrologia, que auxiliará no entendimento das bases do Método Pilates....
I remember Bill and Frank Aller taking me to a pub in Walton Street in the summe...
am War. Aller's 1971 suicide had an influential impact on Clinton. British writer and feminist Sara Maitland said of Clinton, "I remember Bill and Frank Aller taking me to a pub in Walton Street in...
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