Pilates Principles

Joseph Pilates was born near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1883. Little is known about his early life, but he appears to have been a frail child, suffering from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. His drive and determination to overcome these ailments led him to become a competent gymnast, diver and skier.

In 1912 Pilates lived in England working as a circus performer, boxer and self-defence instructor. During the First World War, he was interned with other German nationals. During this time he developed his technique of physical fitness further, by teaching his fellow internees. During the latter part of the War, he served as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man where he worked with patients unable to walk. He attached bed springs to the hospital beds to help support the patients' limbs, leading to the development of his famous piece of equipment known as the 'Cadillac'. Much of his equipment, although slightly adapted, is still in use today in many Pilates Studios.

Pilates emigrated to the USA in the early 1920s with his wife Clara, and together they developed and taught the method in their 'body-conditioning gym' in New York in 1926.

The studio featured much of the Apparatus designed to enhance his rehabilitation work. It soon became very popular, particularly with the dance community, as it offered a chance to improve technique or recover from injury. Word spread quickly and many celebrities of the day visited his studio. These included dance legends such as Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine and Martha Graham, as well as the actor Jose Ferrer and the author Christopher Isherwood. Originally 60% of the clientele were men.

In 1932 Pilates published a booklet called 'Your Health' and followed this with another called 'Return to Life Through Contrology' in 1945. Through these writings and his students, his method was passed on after his death in 1967 at the age of 83. During his lifetime this method of exercise was called Contrology. It was only after his death that it became known as the Pilates Method.

While Joe is the man behind the method, it was his wife Clara that became the real teacher in the studio and allowed the method to be passed on to apprentices. The 'Pilates Elders' (the handful of people who trained directly in the first NY Studio) talk of Clara being the nurturing force behind the man; Clara established the tradition of evolving and adapting the Pilates method to suit the individual needs of clients. Not much was spoken in the original studio (English was not Joe's first language), so Joe and Clara relied heavily on hands-on corrections to teach the method. "They wouldn't talk, they would sculpt you" is how Pilates Elder Mary Bowen describes being in the studio. The Pilates Foundation is proud to promote the traditon of hands-on teaching skills in our Teachers

Joe Pilates based his work on three principles: Breath, whole-body health and whole-body commitment; with the whole-body incompassing mind, body and spirit.

It is in the honouring of the Pilates Principles that the depth of the work is achieved. These Principles are traditionally cited as:

• Breath
• Concentration
• Centring
• Control
• Precision
• Flow

"Above all, learn how to breathe correctly." - Joseph Pilates

• Improve your posture, health and overall fitness
• Reach specific physical goals and challenge your athletic ability 
• Rehabilitate after injury, surgery or illness
• Return your body to movement
• Expand your body awareness
• Develop trust in your body's abilities
• Look better, feel better, live better
• Live a happier, more-fulfilling life

”Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.”  -Joseph Pilates 

Pilates aids in the rehabilitation of many specialized conditions including: Pregnancy, Sports Injuries, Spinal Conditions and Disc Issues, Hip & Knee Replacement, MS, Parkinson’s disease , RSI.

Based upon an anatomical understanding of the body's muscular and skeletal systems, the Pilates Teacher creates a comprehensive exercise program specific to each client. This ensures sessions are effective in helping clients meet their physical and rehabilitation goals. Pilates is low impact, gently and effective but can also be a boot camp of high intensity training. Whatever your style is Salty AF Pilates can bring it to you with grit and grace!

"A few well designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence are worth hours of doing sloppy exercise or forced contortion" - Joseph Pilates

What should I wear to Pilates? 

Any comfortable athletic wear and grippy socks. if you don’t have grippy socks, they can be purchased at the studio.

How long is a class?

 45 minutes

What class should I book If it’s my first time? 

You should book the discovery class.

Can I sign up for a group or partner class even if I don’t have a group or partner? 

Yes you can sign up for a group or partner class and you will be paired with other clients….it’s a great way to meet new friends in the community.

How often do you recommend a Pilates workout?

"In 10 sessions you will feel a difference; in 20 sessions you will see a difference, and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body."- Joseph Pilates

With any form of exercise, consistency is key. In the beginning, your body is learning a lot of new information, and your mind/body connection is being established. The optimal recommendation is 2-3 times per week; however, once a week on a very regular basis can also be beneficial, providing you are doing some other exercise during the week.

“Change happens through movement and movement heals.“ -Joseph Pilates