All About Pilates

What is Pilates? Benefits of Pilates Common Questions about Pilates What is Original Pilates®? History of Joseph H. Pilates Chronology of Joseph H. Pilates Quotes from Joseph H. Pilates Mary Pilates Museum Collection Pilates Principles Pilates Thoughts & Philosophies Pilates Placement Tips Pilates Styles New Study about Mat Training: Results After Just Eight Weeks

Pilates Styles - What's the Difference?

SO MANY STUDIOS CLAIM THEIR VERSION OF TEACHING PILATES IS THE BEST STYLE OF THE PILATES METHOD. HAVE YOU HEARD THE CONTOVERSY OR ARE YOU BLISSFULLY UNAWARE? IS THERE A “RIGHT OR WRONG” KIND OF PILATES?

Joseph H. Pilates devised a body conditioning system and technique, which contained an exact number of exercises, done in specific order with an exact number of repetitions. He published this in a book in 1945, Return To Life Through Contrology. After a number of years some of his students went on to open and teach in studios of their own. Two of the most famous students who went on to teach The Method are Romana Kryzanowska and Ron Fletcher. After Joseph’s death, his wife Clara continued running the studio. In 1970, Romana Kryzanowska took over and the studio became known as the “Pilates Studio.” Both Romana and her daughter currently train people today and their single most important mission in life is to preserve the original teachings of Joseph H. Pilates.

Mary Pilates

Mary Pilates is the only living Pilates that ever taught in the New York Studio and she is dedicated to preserving the original techniques and legacy of her Uncle Joseph. Mary Pilates was an instructor at the original Pilates studio when Romana Kryzanowska was a pupil of her uncle Joseph. Mary's father was Fred Pilates, the brother of Joseph and he designed and manufactured most of the original Pilates equipment found in the New York Studio. Mary's father Fred also had a Pilates studio in St. Louis Missouri in the mid 1900's. Mary grew up doing Pilates, teaching Pilates and was also involved in the manufacture and design of much of the original Pilates equipment. She has trained and certified an elite few instructors in Original Pilates^®, the exact methodology taught to her by her Uncle Joseph H. Pilates and the techniques she used while teaching Pilates in the original Pilates studio. Additionally, she has certified a few special studios and instructors in Original Pilates^®, including Fran Perel and Parkland Pilates.

Classic-Style Pilates (East Coast Pilates) is a general term to describe the Pilates Method as was taught and practiced by Joseph H. Pilates himself (or at least as close as possible to the original “Method”). There is some disagreement as to which of the myriad branches of the original Pilates method are the most “Classic,” but there is several which have clearly remained as true as possible to the method as Joseph himself had taught it. The following are all valid providers of Classic Pilates instruction, offering their own training and certifications:

West Coast Pilates. In 1971 Ron Fletcher opened a studio in Los Angeles and continues to train people today. He slightly adapted Joseph Pilates teachings. “I made adaptations to the classical pieces of Joe’s equipment work, variations on themes, so that this material could be presented on the floor effectively, and I sought to create a piece of movement rather than just a series of exercises.” (Ron Fletcher) Fletcher’s work has evolved into several innovative trademarked programs including Fletcher Percussive Breathing^® and Fletcher Towelwork^®.

Romana Kryzanowska hand-signed a photo to Fran Perel at a workshop.

Contemporary Pilates is the next generation of Pilates. Romana Kryzanowska trained Moira Stott-Merrithew in Classical Pilates. Ironically, she went on to develop Stott Pilates^®, a contemporary adaptation of Joe’s work. Just as the world has evolved in the past 50 years to having cell phones and sunscreens up to number 50, so has Pilates, according to this school of thought. Stott Pilates^® re-arranged the order of the exercises, has variations in breathing and movement. Most significantly, it is done with a neutral pelvis and spine, acknowledging all the natural curves of the spine. Stott Pilates^® has adapted the original teachings of Joseph Pilates by using modern-day science and knowledge.

Sean Gallagher in 1996 acquired the trademark registrations for the Pilates service mark and Pilates Studio and filed a copyright infringement lawsuit to limit the use of the word “Pilates” to only those trained and certified by Gallagher.

In October of 2000 there was a legal decision in Manhattan Federal District Court that effectively cancelled the Pilates trademark. This decision, while having the effect of allowing certain longstanding Pilates centers and equipment manufacturers to use the Pilates name without paying dues to any organization, also opened up the possibility of anyone becoming a “certified” Pilates instructor. There are now websites where prospective teachers can purchase a “Pilates Certification” for $39.95!

As a result, potential Pilates clients must become aware of the distinction between highly trained instructors in the method approved by Joseph H. Pilates and those who have obtained their certifications in a less rigorous means. All of the above-mentioned offer their own certifications and all are valid methods.

If you are considering Pilates instruction, and would like to be sure that you will be receiving the best training possible, ask the Pilates instructor how they were certified, or by whom, and how many hours of instruction/apprenticeship they received. If they are certified by one of the schools listed above, then you can be sure they have received an adequate amount of training. Naturally this is important, from a safety standpoint, but it does not account for the wide range of expertise, which is gained through experience and natural talent.