Muscle Madness: designing the Pilates body
The Pilates Method has been reforming bodies since 1926 when Joseph Pilates and his wife Clara introduced it in NYC. As Pilates enthusiasts, we're well aware of its rich history. In fact, I feel so immersed in Pilates culture that it's mind-blowing to meet people who know nothing about it. Huh? Where've you been? How could you have never tried it? I can't imagine living in my body without it.
If you've been reading my blog lately you know that I'm the Pilates Coordinator for the newly opened Equinox Fitness in Woodland Hills, CA. I'd say that about 95% of the members that have come into the Pilates studio say, "this looks like some type of torture chamber!" (This is the exact reason that one of Joe's Pila-T-Shop t-shirt phrases says "Welcome to Joe's Torture Chamber!")
It's been a great opportunity to educate people about Pilates history, its methodology and the myriads of benefits it offers. People are generally awed because they thought that Pilates was a "new" trend, designed to "stretch you out". Most people don't know that it's a workout. Most people don't know about its rehabilitative potential. And they definitely don't know about the German-born man, Joseph Pilates and how he developed his unique system of exercise.
I really feel that it's our responsibility as instructors to keep the legacy of Joseph Pilates alive. We shouldn't omit him from our teaching. Everyone practicing the work that bears his name should at least know who he is. Don't you think so? I would hate for him or the essence of his work to completely disappear behind the commercialization of the Pilates Method.
Let's make it our goal as a community to educate the public about Joe and the original intentions behind his work. Let's learn as much as we can from our Pilates elders and through his own writings so that we can pass the information on to the next generation. We've been so fortunate to experience living in a body designed by Pilates. Let's share the history, intelligence, genius and creativity of the man that developed it, Joseph Pilates.
Rock Your Powerhouse!
Kira
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