Pilates opened his first dedicated 'Pilates' studio in New York during the 1920's. From the beginning, his greatest fans were drawn from the world of the performing arts. Leading lights of the dance world such as Martha Graham, George Balanchine and Hanya Holm used The Method to improve performance and prevent injury.

   Pilates continued to teach and develop equipment and exercises with his beloved wife Clara until his death in 1967. He was fond of speculating that he was 50 years before the times in his theories and ideas. Given the universal popularity of Pilates training across the world at the start of the new millennium, he seems to have been right!

What is so special about the Pilates method?

Traditional methods of training and developing the body tend to produce short, bulky muscles - precisely the type of musculature most prone to injury. Pilates elongates the spine, increasing the elasticity of muscles and the flexibility of joints. This balance between strength and flexibility drastically reduces the potential for injury.

   Pilates emphasizes flowing movements requiring the use of multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Controlled breathing and concentration are essential, making Pilates truly a workout for the body and the mind. It avoids the tendency of many exercise forms to emphasize the muscles which are stronger and to neglect those which are already weaker.

In this way Pilates can help your body to regain efficient patterns of motion - a great benefit to those recovering from injury, professional athletes and performers, or anyone seeking good posture and optimal health.