A healthy mind in a healthy body

Fact: Joseph Pilates was enamored of the classical Greek ideal of a man who is balanced equally in body, mind, and spirit.

It is interesting to note that Joseph Pilates who developed this unique fitness system, which bears his name, was once linked to Greece. Although Pilates was born in a small town near Dusseldorf, Germany, his parents were said to be of Greek origin. In fact Pilates’ Greek ancestors bore the name Pilatos or Pilatou, and the name was only changed once they immigrated from Greece to Germany. There is much debate however if this is in fact true. Pilates’ ties with Greece however didn’t end there. In his early days Pilates travelled in a circus as ‘a live Greek human statue’. He was enamored of the classical Greek ideal of a man who is balanced equally in mind, body, and spirit.

His revolutionary method of physical conditioning combined his skills and knowledge of exercise and anatomy, and also his studies of many forms of athletic training such as boxing, wresting, skiing, swimming, & gymnastics. Aspects of ancient Greek training techniques were also among these forms. Before his death in 1967, at the ripe age of 87, Pilates wrote two books, Return to Life Through Contrology, and Your Health. In these books he often liked to quote the wisdom of the early Greeks.
“The Greeks as a people displayed even greater wisdom when they practiced what they preached, ’A Sane Mind, In a Sound Body’.” J H Pilates
“Man should bear in mind and ponder over the Greek admonition, ‘Not too Much, not too Little’.” J H Pilates

Today the Pilates method is nearly a century old, and then, Joseph Pilates claimed he was fifty years ahead of his time. It seems that he was right. Around the whole world Pilates is spreading throughout, and is growing more and more popular everyday. People from all walks of life are discovering and choosing the Pilates technique over conventional methods as their fitness program. An increasing number of doctors and physiotherapists recommend it and praise it.
Here in Greece, from Athens to Thessaloniki and beyond Pilates has caught on as well. More Pilates classes are being taught in gyms and more people are learning the Pilates principles for a healthy life. Like the rest of the world Greece has embraced this effective, powerful yet gentle exercise method called Pilates.Created by Joseph Pilates, sprouted from many philosophies, including the wise words of the ancient Greeks, it seems Pilates is here to stay!