

The Pilates Method (originally called Contrology) originates from the work of the late Joseph Pilates, who was born in 1880 near Düsseldorf, Germany. He was a frail child and turned to physical fitness programmes to improve his body image. In the war years he was interned because of his nationality. During this time he developed a fitness programme for his fellow internees in order to maintain their health and fitness levels whilst being held in confinement – he always claimed that his regime was the reason why not one of these internees died from the influenza epidemic that killed thousands in 1918!
Pilates today is taught in several forms, directly reflecting the legacy of Joseph Pilates.

Body Control Pilates are proud to play our part in the realisation of Joseph Pilates dream that his method would one day be available to everyone. Body Control Pilates offers a comprehensive programme of exercises for both mat and apparatus work. They are adapted from the ‘classical’ exercises developed by Joseph Pilates. We believe that many of these classical exercises are often not suitable for the average person and the average body. In order for someone to work safely and effectively and to gain the full benefits of Pilates, these classical exercises should be broken down to establish good movement skills upon which to progress towards the more advanced work. This is the essence of the Body Control Pilates Method.
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