The Origin of Pilates – Part 3

After conquering Europe, the Pilates method also reached America. Joe Pilates married, and together with his wife, opened his first Pilates studio, where more and more dancers practiced the method. Soon, students also became teachers, so several studios were already operating in New York City. In the last part of our three-part article series, you can find out who carried on the teachings after the master's death in 1967.

Clara takes over her husband's role

After her husband's death, Clara continued working at the New York Pilates Studio. Around 1970, the studio got a new director in the person of Romana Kryzanowska. In the 1940s, Kryzanowska practiced the Pilates methods with Joe, then after 15 years spent in Peru, she returned to dedicate her life to Pilates again.

The students

Following Carola Trier's example, other students of Joe also decided to open their own studios. Dancer Ron Fletcher also met Joe in the 1940s, due to a chronic knee problem. Fletcher opened his first studio in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, which soon became a favorite spot for Hollywood stars. Clara trusted Fletcher so much that she asked him to carry on the Pilates name and teachings.

The method reaches more and more countries

Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel also went from students to teachers. Grant took over the Bendel studio, while San Miguel popularized the Pilates method in Puerto Rico. Both ladies received permission to teach the method shortly after Pilates' death. It is known that only these two received official approval from the master himself.

Many other students later opened their own studios. Eve Gentry worked in Mexico, Bruce King's New York studio was always packed, Mary Bowen popularized the Pilates method in Massachusetts, and Robert Fitzgerald mainly taught dancers.

Hollywood helps out

In the 1970s, Hollywood stars also discovered the Pilates method, thanks to Ron Fletcher's Beverly Hills studio. And where there are stars, the media also appears. Towards the end of the 1980s, the media increasingly actively followed the development of Pilates. The public also noticed the new method, and the Pilates business flourished. The method soon became accessible to everyone, and elite athletes increasingly learned the technique. Today, nearly 10 million Americans practice Joe Pilates' method.

Joe Pilates once said he was fifty years ahead of his time. He was right.