01.
What is Pilates?
balanced body throught core strength
Pilates is a method of movement that strengthens the body from the inside out.
Created by Joseph Pilates, it focuses on controlled, mindful exercises that connect breath, core strength, and precise alignment.
At its heart, Pilates builds a strong and balanced body — improving posture, flexibility, and tone — while calming the mind. Every movement begins at the “powerhouse” (the abdominals, lower back, hips, and glutes), creating a stable center that supports you in daily life and every activity you love.
Whether practiced on the mat or with the help of specialized equipment like the Reformer, Pilates offers a safe, effective, and deeply rewarding way to move. It’s more than exercise — it’s a practice of strength, control, and flow that leaves you feeling energized, centered, and renewed.
02.
Principles of pilates
what is it all about
The Pilates Method is built on six timeless principles that guide every movement. Together, these principles transform Pilates into more than exercise — they make it a mindful practice of balance, strength, and grace.
CONCENTRATION
Full attention to each exercise, uniting body and mind.
CONTROL
Movements are performed with mastery, never rushed or careless.
CENTERING
Strength begins at the powerhouse: abdominals, lower back, hips, and glutes.
PRECISION
Every detail matters, bringing clarity and effectiveness to the work.
BREATH
Deep, intentional breathing energizes the body and supports proper movement.
FLOW
Exercises connect gracefully, creating continuous, fluid motion.
03.
About Joseph Pilates
the man behind the method
Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in 1883 in Mönchengladbach, Germany. As a child, he struggled with asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Determined to overcome his frailty, he immersed himself in anatomy, gymnastics, martial arts, yoga, and breathwork, developing a profound understanding of the human body.
During World War I, while interned in England, he began training fellow prisoners, helping them regain strength and mobility. He ingeniously adapted hospital beds with springs, creating resistance-based exercises — the foundation for what would later become the Pilates Reformer and other apparatus.
In 1926, Joseph emigrated to New York City with his wife, Clara. Together, they opened a studio near the New York City Ballet. Dancers, actors, and athletes quickly embraced his method, which he called Contrology — “the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.”
Joseph Pilates devoted his life to teaching this system, believing it was not just physical training but a path to healthier, more mindful living. His legacy continues to inspire millions around the world, keeping his vision alive: a strong, balanced, and resilient body supported by a focused, present mind.
04.
History of Pilates
from the beginning to the current age
After Joseph and Clara opened their New York studio in 1926, their method — which he named Contrology — quickly gained recognition. Dancers, choreographers, and performers became some of his most dedicated students, valuing the method’s ability to build strength, refine alignment, and prevent injuries.
Over the decades, Joseph trained a group of loyal students who later became known as the “Pilates Elders.” These teachers carried his work forward, each preserving the essence of his system while sharing it with new generations.
Following Joseph’s death in 1967, Pilates continued to grow quietly within the dance world, before spreading more widely in the late 20th century. Today, Pilates is practiced across the globe — in studios, gyms, and rehabilitation centers — recognized as a powerful method for developing core strength, improving posture, and bringing balance to both body and mind.
What began as one man’s vision has become a worldwide movement, uniting people through mindful, intelligent exercise that stands the test of time.
✨ At Studio Pranayama, we honor this classical lineage while bringing it into the present — offering a space where tradition meets care, and where every body can discover the strength, flow, and harmony that Pilates was created to inspire.
Here’s a list of well-known quotes from Joseph Pilates himself — powerful, short, and full of his philosophy:
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“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.”
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“Change happens through movement, and movement heals.”
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“In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference, and in 30 you’ll have a new body.”
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“Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.”
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“Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.”
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You are only as young as your spine is flexible.”
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“Above all, learn how to breathe correctly.”
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“Through the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning this unique trinity of a balanced body, mind, and spirit can ever be attained. Self-confidence follows.”