The Origin of Pilates – Part 2
Pilates is associated with the name of a sickly little boy, Joe Pilates, who wanted to live a healthier life. The method, which combines Eastern and Western movement cultures, quickly captivated European dancers and soldiers. In the second part of our three-part article series, you can find out how the method reached the United States of America.
Pilates arrives in the United States of America
In 1926, Pilates left Germany and moved to the United States. During the journey, he met Clara Zeuner, who later became his wife. Many do not know that this was Joseph's third marriage. The couple soon opened their first fitness studio in the premises of the New York City Ballet company.
By the 1960s, Joe and Clara had already trained numerous New York dancers. Dance instructor George Balanchine also visited them and immediately fell in love with the new form of movement. He soon invited Pilates to hold training sessions for the young ballerinas of his company as well.
Pilates' reputation grew rapidly in other cities too. Quoting from a 1964 article in the New York Herald Tribune: "Many young dancers across America practice the new movement technique every day, which they simply refer to as 'pilates,' and they don't even know that the P should be capitalized, because behind the exercises stands a living, breathing person."
From student to teacher
Carola Trier and Bob Seed were Joe's students who opened their own studios during the master's lifetime. Trier was a dancer who arrived in America after escaping a concentration camp in France. In 1940, an injury interrupted her dance career, and she met Pilates during her rehabilitation. Trier opened her own studio with Pilates' help in the 1950s. Joe and Clara remained close friends with Trier.
Bob Seed's story, however, is darker. Seed, a hockey enthusiast, also came into contact with Pilates' training program after an injury. After a while, he decided to open his own studio in another part of the city and tried to lure Joe's clients away by opening his studio doors early in the morning. According to Joe and Clara's manager, Joe threatened Seed with a gun and ordered him to leave the city. Seed's studio closed shortly after the incident.
The master's death
Joe continued to train his clients until his death in 1967. He left no will and made no provisions regarding the fate of Pilates.
Nevertheless, Pilates was not forgotten, as Clara and some students continued Joe's work.
In the continuation of our article, you can find out who carried on Pilates' teachings after the master's death in 1967.