Pilates is a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement.

German born Joseph Pilates was a sickly child, plagued with rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever. His drive to overcome these ailments led him to explore and practice bodybuilding, gymnastics and diving. He studied both Eastern and Western philosophies and forms of exercise. This background provided him with the foundation to innovate a unique system that he developed throughout his life. During World War I, working at a hospital in Germany, he taught and practiced his physical fitness program and began devising apparatus to aid in the rehabilitation of the disabled and sick. A look at some of the apparatus of today reveals that they must have been fashioned around the frame of a hospital bed. After the war, arriving in the United States, Joseph met his wife Clara and together they opened their first studio in 1926 in New York City. His method was, at that time, called Contrology. A diverse clientele including socialites, dancers, gymnasts, boxers and athletes embraced the method, witnessing the positive effects in both rehabilitation and performance. Joseph Pilates was a man ahead of his time in his holistic approach. The Pilates method offers a path to total health and wellness.

Pilates is designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body to balance. Exercises integrate the whole body to re-educate and restore it to optimum muscular and skeletal function. This holistic approach is what sets Pilates apart from many other forms of exercise. Based upon an anatomical understanding of the body's muscular and skeletal systems, a Pilates instructor creates a comprehensive exercise programme for the client. Pilates is one of the safest forms of exercise today and can be beneficial for just about everyone, regardless of age and fitness level.

Today, Stott Pilates is the largest full-service organization in the world providing cutting-edge Pilates education, equipment and training material. Stott Pilates’ aim is optimal musculoskeletal performance, strength, flexibility and endurance – without risking injury or building bulk, with a focus on core stability, including pelvic and shoulder girdle stabilization, neutral alignment and patterned breathing. Stott Pilates also helps restore the natural curves of the spine, relieve tension and enhance self-confidence. The result: a balanced and aligned body that looks fit, feels revitalized and moves with ease, whether you are a rehab patient or an elite athlete, or just somewhere in between!