As a child, Joseph Pilates was plagued by serious childhood diseases. But he was deter-mined to get healthy through physical fitness. As a German national he was forced to spend some time in England during World War I. There, he developed his concept of a holistic body workout. He was guided by yoga and studied the movement of animals. He soon started to teach the new method to his fellow prisoners.
After the war he returned to Germany and worked with the most important representatives of the art of movement. In 1926 he emigrated to New York and opened a studio where his clients performed mat exercises and trained on machines that Pilates had developed himself.
From the beginning, Pilates had a big success in America with his method. His concept of training was groundbreaking and was further developed after his death.
It continues to be adapted to the latest findings in medicine.
"After 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. After 20 sessions you will see the difference. And after 30 sessions you will have a brand new body".
Joseph H. Pilates