Pilates is an exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility and improve overall health, which included exercises for every part of the body and applications for every kind of activity.  Created in the early part of the 20th century, Pilates… formerly called “Contrology” by Joe himself…was so far ahead of its time that it did not begin to achieve popular recognition until the first few years of the 21st century.  Over 10 million people are now practicing Pilates in the United States. The exercises are relatively safe, low impact and appropriate for anyone from 10 to 100.

Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in Germany around 1880. He had rheumatic fever, asthma and rickets as a child and was plagued by a weak respiratory system. In order to improve his own health he began exploring ways to strengthen his body and his mind. He pursued boxing, fencing, wrestling and gymnastics.

Joe was in England touring with a boxer when World War I broke out. He was held as a resident alien in an internment camp near Lancaster for the duration of the war.  While in the camp he took it upon himself to lead his fellow detainees in a daily exercise program. When the influenza epidemic of 1918-1919 broke out, none of the inmates who followed his regimen got sick. The camp leaders gave Joe a job of orderly at a hospital on the Isle of Man. He was put in charge of 30 patients and worked with them every day to exercise whatever they could move. Joe’s patients got better faster which helped them fend off secondary infections that killed so many in similar circumstances.

Working as an orderly also led to the development of Joe’s first piece of equipment…attaching springs to the patient’s bed frames so they could move their bodies with resistance, and thus the first Cadillac was born. Now the patients could exercise themselves under Joe’s supervision.

Joe had a dream of introducing his vision of mind/body fitness into every aspect of life from elementary schools to military training. To accomplish that, he taught a small group of devoted teachers and students who have kept it alive as the world caught up with his revolutionary thinking.

Pilates will help you in every phase of your everyday living…from learning how to safely bend while lifting or standing, how to properly sit at your computer, be the foundation for all your sports, or how to better sit your horse.  You will incorporate the Pilates basics of proper breathing, concentration, core engagement, muscle control, even relaxation, without realizing it after faithful practice. You will stand taller, feel stronger, be more flexible, and exude confidence because of your accomplishment of better physical well-being. It will even help you in your ranch chores!

You can do this!  Joseph Pilates worked very hard at achieving his goals of physical fitness, but mainly in exemplifying his SERVICE TO OTHERS with hopes they, too, would feel better and overcome the obstacles in their bodies.

TIMBERLINE PILATES desires to carry out that same service to our community by nurturing and nourishing, encouraging and inspiring, and cheering you on as you learn the Pilates method to improve your life.