The Pilates method is much more than a fitness fad. It has already survived the test of time and will be practiced far into the future. Joseph Pilates wrote, “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness”. He was right as usual. The Pilates method develops the body and mind in a way that supports extreme athletics or the rigors of everyday life. Its value to humanity is only just beginning to be realized.
Joe was a genius, an inventor and a visionary. Had he lived another 20 years, would he have kept his work and equipment exactly as it was in 1967? Was it finished? Was it complete? Anna Klara Zuener (Clara Pilates) wrote to Ron Fletcher, “There is far to go with this work. The is just the tip of the iceberg.” Perhaps she was trying to give us her vision of the future. Therefore, it is highly probable considering what we know of Joseph Pilates, that his work would have continued to evolve. New exercises, new apparatus -- we can only speculate what all of this would have looked like.
The greatest challenge to the Pilates method and its potential to benefit mankind is the temptation to simplify or water down the work and to modify the equipment for the purpose of mass marketability. There is also an obvious temptation to blend the Pilates method with other disciplines. Some experts say that the original work is dated and that we know so much more today than Joe knew about biomechanics, body alignment and effective movement. They feel that the Pilates method needs to be improved and updated. But how do they know what was in Joe’s mind? Maybe he would have gone where they are going now. It would be respectful to say that today’s instructors are just paying homage to Joe’s legacy by providing us with their version of what Joe’s continued vision would have been. I think the possibilities are exciting, endless and definitely embraceable. I hope you agree.
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