How Pilates Developed From A Concept Of A World War I Prisoner To The Worldwide Phenomenon It Is Today

Our bodies have certain points that, when the right amount of stress is applied, would stimulate the internal processes in our system. Concentrating on these points on a regular basis would most definitely guarantee the proper functioning of the processes within ourselves and would assure that our bodies are always in tiptop shape. This, in essence, is what Pilates is all about.

Pilates has risen in popularity in recent years, during what many people call as a period of new age revival. It can be recalled that in the 1980’s, a new age movement was launched and that conservative decade ascended to a level of spirituality that was seemingly lost in the 60’s and the 70’s. The first few years of this millennium witnessed a renaissance of this movement, but instead of focusing on the spiritual, the campaign is now promoting mental wellbeing through physical fitness.

This decade saw the active introduction of practices such as Yoga and the likes, aiming to develop the human body into a vehicle that would bring about good physical and mental health. Pilates is one the present raves of the health buffs of today, and for good reasons. Aside from the numerous benefits that can be derived from this activity, pursuing the same is not beholden to steep requirements. Indeed, there are some expensive equipment that can be bought to facilitate an enriching session of Pilates, but the steps that the practice entails can be effectively carried out with a single ball and an exercise mat as well.

If we would trace the history of this glorious method, we would find out that Pilates is a creation of Joseph Pilates, hence the name of the practice. Joseph Pilates is a German national who was forced to suffer imprisonment in England during the earlier years of the past century. While in prison, he conceptualized his revolutionary method, a fusion of the philosophies and practices of Yoga, Zen meditation, and some archaic Greek and Roman physical exercises. He thereafter developed a series of exercises, focusing on some pressure points through stress-specific steps and the integration of balance. Eventually, his years as a boxer and an all-around athlete provided the final touches in what is now known as Pilates, a tribute to the founder’s name.

During his confinement, Joseph Pilates developed over 500 focused exercises to be carried out through five specific apparatuses. These exercises were designed to concentrate on the quality of bodily movements rather than the quantity. Whereas in common workouts at gyms all over the world, physical fitness is developed through gradually increasing resistance as carried out by a series of repetitions, or reps as they are fondly called, Pilates limits the number of these movements and instead replaces the necessary pressure through the degree of difficulty in each exercise vis a vis the additional stress provided by the accompanying equipment. The result? Pilates has become a wonderful alternative to sweat-inducing and muscle-numbing exercises prevalent in conventional workouts.

Through the years, Pilates has been improved as a discipline. Though the five apparatuses are still commonly used in most Pilates centers the world over, people can now enjoy the magnificent benefits of the practice by doing Pilates exercises at the comforts of their own homes. There is no need to invest on the equipment necessary, as such may prove costly. As we’ve mentioned earlier, many variations of the exercises have been invented that simplifies the original design and makes it possible to practice Pilates through the use of a single ball.

From the prison cell to the whole world, Pilates proves that a good and beneficial idea knows no boundaries. With the many healthy effects it could bring about, there is no excuse not to indulge in the many wonderful exercises of this fun and exciting craft.

a guide to a healthy heart | introduction to pilates | how to prevent arthritis | common health problems that plague females | a guide to alternative healing | 5 things to consider before deciding on cosmetic surgery |