During World War I, Joseph H. Pilates, a German national interned in England, began developing a system of movements designed to help bedridden patients exercise against resistance. He crafted equipment out of springs from hospital beds, using principles that still underlie the spring tension system use din modern day Pilates equipment. Pilates drew from studies in Eastern practices, such as yoga and Zen, and was well trained in anatomy and physiology. He promoted the idea of a body-mind connection with an emphasis on breathing, control, precision and concentration. His methods stressed quality rather than quantity of movement.

Joe believed that fewer, more precise, concentrated movements would elongate and balance the muscles and turn the abdominal muscles, lower back and hips into the body's power center. The exercises focused particularly on muscles such as the abdominals, pelvic stabilizers, glutei's and spinal extensors--much of the musculature that we refer to today as "the core".

In 1926 Pilates moved to the United States and married Clara, whom he had met on the boat. Together they popularized his program, particularly among dancers. Many different types of athletes such as boxer's and skier's were already under his eye. By the 1960's Pilates had many followers and students who subsequently opened their own studios, adding twists to the method along the way.

Today, more than 10 million people worldwide practice Pilates.

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"A few well designed movements properly performed in a balance sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion".

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"Everything should be smooth like a cat".

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(Joseph Pilates)