Ode To Joe

by: AndreaDow
Total views: 508
Word Count: 364

Tuesday, November 20th

It is the official week to give thanks so I felt compelled to talk about a person a feel much gratitude towards, Mr. Joseph Pilates. Where would I be without his genious work, master instruction and inspiration? His work has become my work, my passion and my dedication to improve my client's health and wellness. Recently there was an article in IDEA Fitness Journal by Rosalind Gray Davis highlighting the great Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates protege and friend. Thanks to eighty-four year old Romana and the instructors she has trained like Bob Liekens and Susan Moran-Perich, the traditional Pilates method was kept alive after Mr. Pilates death. Here are a few gems that Romana has to share with us about Joe....

"Joseph Pilates is a genius of the body."

"Pilates is more than an exercise program, it is a way of life."

"No one will every be as expert, and as great, as Joe Pilates could be."

"Doing Pilates changes one's body. You apply Pilates in everyday life, like how you sit and how you walk."

I love how Romana described that Joeseph Pilates goal was not to have clients working out in a gym for hours a day. Ideally, he wanted to train you so that every move you made was a constructive exercise that involved the entire body. Even some of the stranger looking Pilates exercises are based on every day movements that have been exaggerated. Even the simple act of walking across the room and sitting down in a chair is exercise if you are working the whole body correctly. She loved working with "Uncle Joe and Aunt Clara".

Jay Grimes, master teacher who trained with Joe, commented that it was a reward for Joseph and Clara to take a "broken-down body and turn it into a healthy, vital body. It permeated everything they did." Grimes and Krzyanowska both agree that "there comes a point where you become Pilates and Pilates becomes you."

Thank you, Mr. Pilates for all that you have given us for body, mind and soul.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my loyal readers....I am very thankful for you, too!

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