After conquering Europe, the Pilates method has also reached America. Joe Pilates got married and, together with his wife, opened his first Pilates studio, where a growing number of dancers began practising the method. Soon, the students became teachers, and several studios were opened in New York City. In the final part of our three-part series, you'll find out who carried on the teachings after the master's death in 1967.

Clara takes over the role of her husband

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

The disciples

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

The method is spreading to more and more countries

Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel also became student teachers. Grant took over the Bendel studio and San Miguel promoted Pilates in Puerto Rico. Both women were licensed to teach the method shortly after Pilates' death. Only the two are known to have received official approval from the master himself.

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

Hollywood helps out

In the 1970s, Hollywood stars also discovered Pilates, thanks to Ron Fletcher's studio in Beverly Hills. And where there are stars, there is media. Towards the end of the 1980s, the media became increasingly active in following the development of Pilates. The public also took notice of the new method and the Pilates business boomed. The method soon became available to everyone, and a growing number of elite athletes became familiar with 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.