One of the benefits of lockdown was that my Pilates association, Body Control Pilates, organised numerous online presentations for its members. One was by John Steel who has recently published a book on his memories of being one of Pilates’ clients in New York in the 1960s.
John’s mother had recommended that he go to Joseph’s studio on 57th Street. He explains that he was very sceptical about the first appointment, but was so taken by Contrology (which was what Joseph originally named his exercise programme) that he went back again and again and became a life-long friend of Joseph and his partner Clara.
There was so much in the book that was new to me. The fact that it was a complete myth that Joseph had met Clara on the boat across to New York. And the fact that he left two wives and children behind in Germany when he emigrated.
The author was a lawyer and so explained in great detail a court case regarding the use of the term Pilates. And he also tried to clarify the mystery of what Pilates was really doing in England before the First World War and why he never obtained US citizenship despite living there for decades.
I could go on, but I guess the best thing is for you to buy the book and find out for yourself!
Photo - the photo was taken by me outside Joseph's original studio on 57th Street.
