PILATES: a timeless practice for strength, balance and well-being.

Pilates, a term coined in honor of its founder Joseph Pilates, is a comprehensive physical exercise method that brings in performance mind and body in balance. J. Pilates developed the method spanning the 1920s to the 1960s, and subsequently, his teachings were embraced by his community of students. In the present day, research linked to Pilates, in conjunction with advancements in anatomical science and other somatic practices, continues to undergo evolution and development.

The roots of Pilates can be traced back to the response against the health challenges prevalent in the late 19th century. Next to attracting practitioners from diverse backgrounds, the method became very popular in the dance community of NYC. Today, pilates remains a relevant practice to all kinds of people of different backgrounds, physical needs and goals. The popularity of the method comes from promoting overall well-being and fostering bodily resilience against the challenges of daily life. Committed practitioners experience significant outcomes in physical support and exceptional performance within targeted populations.

The Pilates method has the potential to be the foundation of a resilient body for those who are ready to embrace its challenges. It is a mind-body, long-life practice that profoundly engages both the physical and inner self, empowering individuals to execute movements with poise, agility and precision. 

There is a certain myth about Pilates that is destined only towards a certain type of body type or a certain gender, which is entirely untrue. 

People arrive to this practice from all sorts of backgrounds, life incidents and needs. Aside from the well-known benefits like integrated core strength, increased flexibility, improved balance and coordination, stress relief and mental well-being, rehabilitation and injury prevention, after pregnancy recovery, improved athletic performance, increased confidence, long-term health benefits, pilates fosters physical awareness to the practitioner that their power lies in their difference, and it is thanks to this very difference a whole world of pilates repertoire opens up, expanding their movement horizon.

Our job as your pilates teacher is to bring the classical pilates repertoire to meet your body in this exact way and guide you through every phase of your life, helping you reach your physical goals.

Who were Joseph and Clara Pilates?

Joseph Pilates was a German-born movement pioneer who developed the Pilates method, originally called Contrology. As a child, he suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever, which fueled his lifelong passion for physical health and movement. He studied anatomy, gymnastics, yoga, boxing, and martial arts, blending these influences into a holistic system designed to create balanced strength, flexibility, and resilience. During World War I, Joseph was interned in a camp in England, where he refined his method by working with injured soldiers. He later emigrated to the United States, where he met his wife, Clara Pilates, a nurse with a deep understanding of therapeutic movement. Together, they opened the first Pilates studio in New York City in the 1920s, attracting dancers, athletes, and people seeking rehabilitation. Clara played a vital role in teaching and refining the method, making it more accessible for different needs and bodies.

At Pilates Practice Studio, we honor this legacy by providing a highly specialized and personal approach, just as Joseph and Clara did. Like their original studio, we focus on private and duet lessons, ensuring that each session is tailored to your unique body, challenges, and goals.

What is the relationship between Pilates and the dance community?

Pilates and dance have been intertwined since the early days of Joseph and Clara's studio. Many of their first students were elite dancers, including Martha Graham, George Balanchine, and Jerome Robbins, who found that Pilates helped them recover from injuries, prevent future strain, and refine their technique. The method became a staple in the professional dance world, and to this day, many dancers turn to Pilates as a tool for longevity, precision, and strength.

At Pilates Practice Studio, we continue this tradition by offering expert guidance for dancers and movement artists. Whether you are rehabilitating, cross-training, or refining your body’s mechanics, we provide tailored sessions to help you move more efficiently, powerfully, and pain-free.

What happened after the death of Joseph and Clara Pilates?

When Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967, Clara continued running the studio and mentoring students. However, because the Pilates method was never trademarked, multiple lineages emerged as their direct students—known as the Pilates Elders—began to spread the work. Each Elder interpreted and adapted the method in their own way, leading to both classical and contemporary approaches to Pilates.

The Pilates Elders, who studied directly under Joseph and Clara, include:

Romana Kryzanowska

Kathy Grant

Eve Gentry

Lolita San Miguel

Ron Fletcher

Mary Bowen

Jay Grimes

Carola Trier

Bruce King

Each of these teachers carried Pilates forward in their own unique way, preserving and expanding the method. At Pilates Practice Studio, we stay true to the original depth, intention, and precision of their teachings, yet inspired and moved by all the work of the Pilates Elders. We maintain the personalized, hands-on approach that Joseph and Clara championed, making sure that the work is authentic and transformative for every individual coming to our studio.

What are the best Pilates schools today?

Pilates education varies widely, but some of the most respected and comprehensive schools include:

Classical Pilates Schools, such as Romana’s Pilates, The Pilates Center (TPC), and Real Pilates NYC, which preserve Joseph Pilates’ original exercises and apparatus use.

Contemporary Pilates Schools, such as BASI Pilates, Polestar Pilates, and Stott Pilates, which integrate modern science, rehabilitation principles and their own vision which relates in various ways to the method’s core philosophy.

At Pilates Practice Studio, our teachers come from top-tier education backgrounds, making sure that the Pilates you experience is of the highest quality and integrity. We value lifelong learning, so we continually train with master teachers from around the world.

How do you know if you have a good Pilates teacher? How is the real work transmitted?

The best Pilates teachers are more than instructors—they are movement specialists who guide you toward a deep understanding of your body. Here’s what sets an excellent teacher apart:

A solid education from a recognized Pilates school.

Sharp observational skills, ensuring that your sessions are tailored to your individual needs.

Hands-on and verbal cueing that helps you feel movement rather than just perform exercises.

A deep personal practice, because Pilates isn’t just taught—it’s embodied. The truth is if you can’t do it, you can’t teach it.

At Pilates Practice Studio, our teachers bring experience, dedication, and an eye for detail. We provide a mentorship-style learning environment, much like Joseph and Clara did in their original studio. Here, you don’t just do Pilates—you learn it in a way that will transform your movement for life.

Why is Pilates not fitness? What is the difference between learning and practicing Pilates in a studio versus at a gym?

Pilates is not just a workout—it is a method of movement education that rewires the way your body moves. Unlike typical gym-based fitness, which often focuses on muscle bulk, repetition, or intensity, Pilates is about:

Precision over quantity—fewer repetitions with perfect form are more effective than doing more with poor alignment.

Whole-body integration—Pilates connects the mind, breath, and body rather than isolating muscles.

Support and challenge—the specialized equipment offers both assistance and resistance, guiding you toward better movement patterns.

At Pilates Practice Studio, we offer a depth of learning that you won’t find in a gym setting. Our private and duet sessions are designed for personalised growth, ensuring that each movement you do is purposeful, intelligent, and in harmony with your body's needs.