Today, Pilates has become an integral part of the world of movement and wellness. You see it almost everywhere, and even here on Curaçao, new Pilates and Reformer studios are popping up like mushrooms after the rain. Yet, few people realise that this method is much more than just a trend, a workout, or a fitness craze. It is a refined way of moving that unites body and mind, developed by the visionary Joseph Pilates. It’s high time to take a closer look. 😊
The Origins of Pilates
Pilates is named after Joseph Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1883 and grew up as a physically vulnerable child. He struggled with asthma and other health issues. Driven by a desire to become stronger and healthier, he immersed himself in the study of movement, anatomy, and various training methods. He drew inspiration from both Eastern and Western traditions, as well as the movement principles of ancient Greece and Rome. What he developed was not a standard exercise routine, but a thoughtful system centred on strength, control, and awareness.
During World War I, Joseph Pilates, as a German in England, was interned on the Isle of Man. It was during this time that he began further developing his method. He worked with fellow internees, helping them maintain strength and mobility even under challenging circumstances. He also began designing equipment with springs and pulleys to support the recovery of sick and injured individuals. This innovative approach still forms the basis of the Pilates apparatus used today, such as the Reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda Chair.
Contrology
When Joseph Pilates eventually settled in New York, he opened a studio with his wife Clara, quickly attracting dancers, athletes, and performers. They recognised the value of his work: not only for strength and flexibility, but also for rehabilitation and prevention. Joseph called his method Contrology, the art of controlling the body through the mind. And that is precisely what makes Pilates so special even today.
The Essence: Moving with Awareness
What sets Pilates apart from many other forms of exercise is how you move. It’s not about doing as many repetitions as possible or lifting the heaviest weights, but about quality, focus, and precision. The well-known principles, breathing, control, flow, and concentration, serve as a kind of compass. They help you sink deeper into your body and truly feel what you are doing. Pilates invites you to: Move more consciously, breathe better, improve your posture and build inner strength. It is a gentle yet powerful method.
How to Recognise a “Real” Pilates Class
Because Pilates has become so popular, the name is now widely used. While this is great, it also means that not every class has the same depth. If you’re looking for an authentic Pilates experience, these guidelines can help:
- Focus on breath in the class: Breath is not an afterthought; it is an essential part of every movement.
- Quality over quantity: Fewer repetitions, but with more focus, control, and precision.
- Guided with awareness: A Pilates instructor helps you feel and understand each movement, not just go through the motions.
- Whole-body approach: Pilates engages the entire body, not just isolated muscles.
- Challenging, yet calming: You don’t need to be exhausted to have trained effectively; often, you leave feeling more energised and balanced.
What Joseph Pilates created was not a trend but a method that has stood the test of time. Although he never witnessed how widespread Pilates would become, his vision continues to grow every day. Pilates is not an end goal, but a process, a way to reconnect with your body again and again. Perhaps that is why, as a yogi, I am so drawn to it: it always brings you back to yourself. Driven by this interest, I chose to dive deeper into the practice, including training with BASI Pilates, where Joseph Pilates’ original principles are combined with modern knowledge.
Whether you live on Curaçao or are here on vacation and are curious about experiencing Pilates as it was truly intended, focused, precise, and deeply mindful, you are warmly invited to experience it for yourself.