The evolution, in the case of Pilates, began in 1934 with the book “Your Health”, continued in 1945 with Joe’s second book “Return to Life through Contrology”, and continues to this day with new exercises, new equipment , new enhancements to your original fitness programming, featured in the latest book “Pilates Evolution”.
Developments prior to the 21st century
Pilates developed his fitness techniques as a result of what he himself experienced while growing up in Germany in the late 19th century. At that time, many practitioners used specially invented gadgets and claimed that what they offered could cure illnesses. As you have seen in Pilates’ own writing, he sided with this fundamental concept, although he also strongly disagreed with the details that others offered.
The first generation of Pilates students in New York, many of whom were dancers and choreographers, subsequently opened their own studios. They continued teaching the Pilates method with their personal stamp; most became legends in the 20th century, such as Romana Kryzanowska, Joe Grimes, Eve Gentry, and Ron Fletcher. Newer students of Pilates methodologies, such as Moira Stott (now Stott-Merrithew) in Canada, Joan Breibart and Elizabeth Larkam in the US, have started an irreversible evolutionary trend in the world of 21st century Pilates teaching. .
The original Pilates exercise systems focused on strengthening the core with simultaneous stretching of the spine and limbs. STOTT PILATES aims in the 21st century to offer a more progressive form of exercise, incorporating modern body awareness and the latest discoveries in exercise science and spinal rehabilitation. Stott’s workouts have evolved to include more shoulder and pelvic girdle stabilization exercises, as well as an emphasis on more anatomical concepts of the neutral spine and pelvis. Moira herself studied and apprenticed with Romana Kryzanowska at the New York studio founded by Joseph Pilates.
Joan Breibart co-founded the Institute for the Pilates Method in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1991, along with Michele Larsson and Eve Gentry. Although it was initially conceived as an organization that would offer instructor training in Pilates methods, it has since become quite innovative in expanding Pilates methods with its own. Chapters 6 and 7 of this Part III focus on standing Pilates and circular Pilates, two of Joan’s main developmental focuses. After relocating his organization to New York City and renaming it PhysicalMind Institute, his organization continues to train thousands of current Pilates instructors. Along with many others, he continues to enhance Pilates work with a modern awareness of biomechanical issues during vertical and horizontal exercises.
Elizabeth Larkam is a recognized innovator and developer of Pilates-based protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic, spinal, and chronic pain. She began her study of Pilates techniques in 1985 while teaching dance at Stanford University and was another student of first-generation Pilates teachers Ron Fletcher, Eve Gentry, and Romana Kryzanowska. Elizabeth, co-founder of Polestar Pilates Education, is a teacher teacher at Balanced Body University and offers courses in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since 1992, Elizabeth has created dozens of instructional DVDs for the fitness, therapeutic, educational, and home markets.
Another teacher in the Balanced Body University programs is Madeline Black. Having worked with some of the greats of the Pilates and dance world — Romana Kryzanowska, Eve Gentry, Marika Molnar and Irene Dowd — she herself has become one of the 21st century leaders in extending Joseph’s legacy. Pilates through its own innovation. motion studies. He specializes in the integration of concepts and techniques, and in the evolution of new methodologies and approaches, from Pilates, Gyrotonics, yoga and other movement systems. The authors of this very book are very pleased to have received our Pilates certifications from Madeline Black in 1993 when she taught for Joan Breibart’s PhysicalMind Institute at her own location in San Francisco Studio M (now in Sonoma County).
Elizabeth Larkam and Madeline Black are just two of the remarkable list of 21st century stars in the evolutionary development of Pilates-based physical education. Both women are mentors in the Passing the Torch program created by Balanced Body and themselves advanced trainers and trainers in the Pilates industry.
As the director of the Balanced Body Pilates program in Sacramento, California, Elizabeth developed instructional videos for her teams, both large and small. Although the other notables mentioned above also work with companies that produce notable Pilates equipment, accessories and training materials, Balanced Body deserves a special mention here, and not just because we have used and taught with Balanced Body equipment ourselves.
On October 19, 2000, Balanced Body and its founder / owner Ken Endelman won a US federal trademark lawsuit. Ken and his company were sued by Sean Gallagher for trademark infringement, because Gallagher had purchased the trademark in 1992 and Ken, among others, was building and selling Pilates-inspired equipment. In short, the upshot of that lawsuit was that Pilates, like other generic fitness names like karate or yoga, would no longer qualify for trademark infringement protection. Anyone from that moment on could use the name Pilates to create and offer services or exercise equipment.
Evolutionary supports and device developments
Romana Kryzanowska would correct interviewers when asked about Pilates “machines.” A “machine” does something to you, he said, while with a Pilates “machine” you are guided yourself to do the work and train your body. As you know, the original 34 Pilate exercises on the mat did not use any apparatus or accessories. Romana pointed out that if “you can make the mat work perfectly, you don’t need the appliance. But people love toys.” As instructors, we have to agree, but they are more than just entertainment; they are facilitators. Students must learn the exercises correctly, with or without apparatus or support, so that their body reflects the intention of each exercise. As Pilates would say, people must “introduce the method into their bodies.”
Each apparatus or accessory has a unique repertoire of exercises that have evolved from the Pilates principles discussed earlier in this book. The most common large-scale apparatus seen in traditional Pilates studios is the Reformer, although imposing pieces such as the Cadillac, specialty chairs, and a variety of barrels are also seen. Plus, for both fun and body purposes, you can now see an explosion of new and increasingly used accessories such as the Magic Circle, elastic tubes and straps, foam rollers, small and large exercise balls, weights, and other inventions. . devices presented in the following chapters.
Classical Pilates instructors often teach exercises in an unchanging order, staying close to the original Pilates work. They also generally use equipment that is built to its original specifications. Most classically trained teachers will have studied the entire exercise system and can usually trace their training back to Joseph Pilates through one of his protégés. Contemporary / Modern Pilates divides the method into several parts and the order of the exercises varies from lesson to lesson with many changes made to the original exercises.