The History of Pilates
The Origins of Pilates
The Pilates method, created by Joseph Pilates, was initially called "Corrective Exercises" before being rebranded as "Contrology." This name remained until 1967. Joseph was born in Germany in 1883 and began developing his method during World War I while he was interned in England. During this time, he taught his fellow internees, focusing on exercises designed to strengthen and rehabilitate.
In 1926, Joseph emigrated to the United States and opened a studio in New York City, where he continued to teach Contrology. By the 1930s, dancers started gravitating toward his method, drawn to its unique combination of strength training and rehabilitation, which helped them recover from injuries while enhancing their performance. In the 1960s, Pilates gained popularity among Hollywood celebrities, bringing the method into mainstream fitness. Joe passed away in 1967, but his legacy continued to grow.
The Renaming of Contrology
It wasn't until after Joseph Pilates' death that the method became widely known as "Pilates," a name coined by his dedicated clients and teachers. In fact, in 1995, "Pilates" was officially recognized as a word and included in Webster's Dictionary! This renaming marked a significant moment in the method’s history, cementing its place in the world of health and fitness.
Pilates Today
Today, Pilates has evolved and been adapted in various ways. While high-quality "studio" Pilates, which involves specialized equipment, remains relatively exclusive, many fitness centers offer less comprehensive versions, often focused solely on mat work. However, mat work represents only a small portion of the complete Pilates repertoire and was never intended to be taught or practiced in isolation.
True Pilates is a holistic system designed to use a full range of exercises across various pieces of equipment to achieve maximum benefit. Those seeking authentic Pilates instruction should look for a fully equipped studio, with teachers who have graduated from intensive programs that cover the entire system. A qualified teacher typically completes a rigorous training program spanning 1-2 years, gaining expertise in all Pilates apparatuses and techniques.
For the best experience and results, Pilates should be approached as a comprehensive system, not just a single workout or mat class.
How Yaletown Pilates Stays True to the Original Form of Pilates
At Yaletown Pilates, we pride ourselves on preserving the authentic teachings of Joseph Pilates. Our studio is fully equipped with all the classical apparatuses designed by Joseph himself, ensuring that clients can experience the full repertoire of exercises as intended.
By staying true to the original form, we help our clients build strength, flexibility, and balance, while offering a deeper understanding of the method that goes beyond surface-level fitness trends.