Just exactly what is Pilates?

Pilates is a word and a form of exercise that people seem to misunderstand. I have found that most people can not pronounce it nor spell it. I must start by saying that Pilates is NOT yoga. They are two very different forms of exercise, but that could be a separate blog all together. I have made it my goal to enlighten anyone who asks, just exactly what it is. First off Joseph Pilates (pih-lah-teez)was a person, yes I know, crazy! Another fact a lot of people don't know. He was born in Germany in 1880. He developed his program to help him overcome some childhood ailments. He combined the mind body connection and breathing of yoga and the physical requirements of gymnastics and calisthenics. Alycea Ungaro, owner of TriBeCa Bodyworks states the definition of Pilates as follows: a movement system that uses spring-driven machines as well as a series of floor exercises to increase strength, flexibility, stamina, and concentration. ( from her book Pilates body in motion). Joseph originally called his method "contrology." in 1926 he came to America and open a studio in New York City. He was in the same building as the New York City Ballet. So most of his original clients were dancers, so it makes sense that the first teachers were all dancers as well. This is why people think the method is only for dancers. I think that is enough for the first one! Next blog we will tackle the assumption that Pilates is so hard.............