Josef Humbertus Pilates was born in 1880 near Dusseldorf, Germany.  He grew up suffering rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever.  Like so many who have gone on to excel in the area of physical achievement and innovation, Pilates became obsessed with the frailties of the human body and was determined to overcome his own afflictions.  As a teenager, he became skilled in gymnastics, skiing and skin-diving.  His determination and application to work his body to better health meant that at 14, he was not only studying the musculature of the body, he was also able to pose for anatomical drawings.  He studies also included Eastern forms of exercise and merging these with the Western physical studies, the Pilates Method was born.  Josef Pilates named this method "Contrology".

In 1912 Josef went to England where he became a boxer, circus performer and a self-defence instructor.  When World War 1 erupted, he was incarcerated in Lancaster on the Isle of Man, with other German nationals, as "enemy aliens".  During this time, many of his compatriots, following his exercise regime, emerged unscathed by an influenza epidemic that had swept the nation killing thousands.  Those in the camp, who were disabled by their war-time diseases, soon discovered the benefits of having Joe within their midst.  His innovative style helped him devise the forerunner of today's equipment.  Joe would remove the bedsprings from beneath the beds and attach them to the walls above the patient's bed.  In this manner they were able to exercise  while lying down.  Not only could his "patients" remain stable, despite whatever injuries they may have had, they were also able to mobilise themselves, strengthen their muscles and emerge fitter and healthier than if these simple procedures were not available to them.  When the War ended, Pilates returned to Germany where he continued to develop his work.

In 1926 Joe decided to immigrate to the United States, as he felt his ideals did not match those of the new German army.  On the journey across the Atlantic, he met Clara, a nurse, who was to become his wife.  "We talked to much about health and the need to keep the body healthy, we decided to open a physical fitness studio", said Clara.  This was when his teachings became known to the dance world and embraced by it with great fervor.

The Pilates principles have been refined over the years with more in depth explanation of the muscles being used and the benefits of each exercise.  Even the simples of routines gently leads you to more physical challenges, improved mental focus and increased health benefits.

The Pilates Method works from within the body towards the exterior surfaces.  By working from the "inside- out" you develop a greater understanding of the body.  Smaller muscle groups come into use and you begin to discover muscles you thought you never had, or what you once thought was fat, actually a "hidden" muscle there!  Further it develops a control that is capable of being achieved in the simplest of movements; from walking up a flight of  stairs to the most complex, such as lifting an awkward load from a difficult position without straining the back, neck, shoulders or other muscles.

The aim of the Pilates Method is to produce:

• Fluidity and awareness of movement.
• Mental focus and control over these movements, without the need to concentrate on them.
• A body that "thinks" for itself.
• A healthy body both inside and out.

To achieve a high level of well being a degree of effort is required.  There are no shortcuts to a better body; a new you; or a sense of achieving renewed vigour and vitality at whatever age we choose.  We wonder why our bodies "fall apart" as we grow older.  If we did not brush our teeth every day with a good toothbrush and paste, our  teeth would eventually decay, rot and fall out.  If we do not exercise our bodies regularly in the correct manner with the right techniques, our bodies too would also decay and "fall apart".

As the Pilates Method has grown, it has evolved and with the evolution has arrived a more exact, precise and "athletic" approach to the Method.  The "balletic" approach to Pilates over the past 70 years has held the Method in good stead with dancers and the like.  However, in today's environment and lifestyle, an approach requiring more knowledge in different movements required by a variety of  body types in important.

The Pilates Method as taught by Pilates Precision is not for athletes alone.  The exercises are taught in various levels ranging from basic through to advanced, from injured to supremely fit.  Of any age and of any ability.