A Brief History of Pilates
Where, why and how did Pilates develop?
Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph Pilates developed his exercise regime initially to overcome his own childhood ailments, practicing and drawing from many different sports. As an Intern during the First World War, he taught his method to fellow Internees to maintain their health (which, he claims, helped them all survive the flu epidemic which took many lives). During this time, whilst working as an orderly at a hospital, he applied his unique approach to patients. Attaching springs, pulleys and various attachments to their beds, he was able to assist the patients movements to speed recovery. It is from here, that most Pilates apparatus and machines found in today's Pilates Studios were developed.
After the war, he moved to America. On his journey over he met Clara, a nurse, whom he later married. They set up a studio near the New York City Ballet whose dancers found the method to be of great use and complementary to their classical training.
So Pilates has been around for a long time, it is only in recent years that it has become more widely known and mainstream. So it's not a fad - it is a long term and continuous improvement for life.