The Pilates method is not a new age phenomenon and has in fact been around for over 80 years.  Its founder, Joseph Hubertus Pilates, was born in 1880 in Germany and despite suffering from asthma, rickets and rhumatic fever in his early life, his drive and determination lead him to study and develop an exercise programme that helped in restoring him to optimal health.  Through his programme he gained enough strength to become a competent gymnast, body builder, diver and skier.

He took elements of these and other physical disciplines and created his own exercise method known as Contrology which incorporated the perfect balance between body, mind and spirit with the idea that through physical health, the mind's health also improves.

After being interned during the First World War on the Isle of Man where he taught and practised a physical fitness programme to help rehabilitate the sick and injured servicemen, he emigrated to America.  On the journey he met his future wife, Clara, and in New York they opened his first fitness studio which they shared with the New York City Ballet.  It was here that he taught Contrology which was particularly popular with dancers, gymnasts and athletes who realised the benefits of his programme of mental and physical conditioning which gave them strength, flexibility and the all important link between body and mind.

Joseph Pilates died at the age of 87 but his exercise method lives on and continues to grow in popularity.