In the 1920s German-born Joseph H. Pilates (1881-1967) developed the Pilates exercise system. An innovator in fitness, Joseph’s interest in the body and health grew from a desire to strengthen his health after a sickly childhood. With a background in yoga, Zen meditation, martial arts and other ancient fitness techniques he created a unique sequence of movements to move the mind and body in fluid harmony.
In 1926, following the war, Joseph Pilates moved to New York with his wife Clara. Together they opened a studio in the vicinity of the New York City Ballet. The dancers soon found the Pilates method invaluable for long, lean muscles, a strong core and supple, limber flexibility. Modern dance legends Martha Graham and George Balanchine were among the list of dancers at that time training in Pilates.