Joseph Pilates was born in a small village near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1883. His father was a prize winning gymnast and his mother was a naturopath. In his early years, Joseph was interested in and influenced by both Western and Eastern forms of exercise, including yoga. He achieved some success as a boxer, a gymnast, a skier and a diver. During WW I, he taught wrestling and self defense.
His system focused on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which support the spine. The central aim of pilates is to create a fusion of mind and body so that movement is efficient, balanced and graceful.

Joe and his wife, Clara, opened a gym following their arrival in New York in 1926. The gym was located on Eighth Avenue in the same building as several dance studios and rehearsal spaces. Joseph began to work with the dancers, eventually including such luminaries as George Balanchine, Martha Graham and Jerome Robbins. Many of today's pilates teachers have a background in dance.

In just 80 years, the number of people practicing pilates world wide is estimated to be near 15 million with over 15,000 instructors. In recent years, pilates has entered the mainstream of health and wellness. In an important court case, the term “pilates” was found to be a generic name and free for public use and misuse.

-courtsey of Power Pilates