Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. As a sickly child suffering from many illnesses, his health was so poor that doctors warned his parents he would likely die prematurely. Determined to reach peak physical condition, he began studying yoga, martial arts, boxing, and weightlifting, eventually becoming lean and muscular. With this knowledge, he moved to England and began teaching his findings.
During the First World War, he worked as a nurse helping injured soldiers recover and rehabilitate. By modifying hospital beds to provide resistance, he helped them perform exercises to improve strength, endurance, and flexibility.
In 1926, Pilates emigrated to the US and opened a studio where he taught dancers how to overcome their injuries. Over the years, his original work has evolved to take on a more contemporary and scientific approach, and in 1970, Pilates was introduced to the UK.
House of Equilibrium