Pilates is not punishment
Surely I am not the only person who has noticed the eerie similarities between Pilates and the Spanish Inquisition.
Not only is the main apparatus used in Pilates a wooden frame with a set of springs inside that definitely resembles the rack, but it’s even called “the reformer” which evokes images of forced confessions and conversions to the true faith.
Furthermore, the other contraptions used in Pilates also sound like torture devices including the Cadillac, Wunda Chair, High "Electric" Chair, Spine Corrector, Ladder Barrel and Pedi-Pole. And while these are all designed to strengthen your core and mobilize your spine, it can sometimes feel like torture as you’re getting stretched and pulled in profound and confession-inducing ways.
It turns out that Pilates was not invented by 16th century Dominican priests after all but rather by the eponymous Joseph Pilates. I sat down with Karen Drury, a Pilates instructor for over 25 years, to learn more about the history of Pilates.
Karen started out in social work, but she found that, “What was frustrating about social work is that it wasn’t very tangible,” and so she discovered Pilates, which allows her to “empower people … with movement.”
She explained that Joseph Pilates developed the exercises he called “contrology” while interned by the British on the Isle of Man with other German men during World War I. He reputedly studied the movement of animals and cats in particular as well as other exercises like Yoga. Then he began teaching his fellow inmates and claimed they emerged stronger than before the internment despite the conditions.
Around 1925, Pilates immigrated to the United States and met his future wife, Clara, on the ship to America. Together, they founded a gym in New York City that was right next to a dance studio, and he started working with injured dancers, which is what led to Pilates becoming especially popular among ballet dancers. Joseph and Clara Pilates continued to teach his method and refine their apparatus right up until his death in 1967 at the age of 83.
Bearing all this in mind, I recently met up with Kathy Canfield-Davis at Reform Studio CDA for a private Pilates session with owner and instructor Kelly Pintler. Kathy started doing Pilates in 2021 and comes twice per week. She appreciates Pilates for its strength and flexibility benefits as her body ages.
“Some days,” she says, “I’ll be stiff and sore and I just won’t be 100%, but I come because I have to get my body moving and then once I’m done, then I’m fine.”
For me, the class was a difficult workout (but not torture) not only for my core and my tight hamstrings, but it was also a mental challenge to control my body’s movements with precision. As Kelly explained, “Having to force your body to control different movement patterns is so good for your brain.” After it was over I felt lighter and more limber, and I even signed up for my next group class so I could get stretched on the reformer (not the rack) again!
THE GOOD: There are lots of Pilates classes available in our area as it’s offered at most gyms, studios and even online. However, both Kelly Pintler and Karen Drury agree that it’s important to find a Pilates instructor with lots of experience. Certification matters but, as Kelly said, “Experience is where you get the best instructors.”
THE BAD: The cost of a Pilates class can range from $25 up to $100 or more depending on the type of class and whether it’s private or group. But, as Kathy pointed out, “It’s medical insurance because if you are hurt you’ll recover faster,” so it can save on health care costs over the long term.
THE NITTY GRITTY: Despite its similarity to ancient forms of torture, Pilates really is a great way for absolutely anyone to stretch their spine, work their core and become stronger in both mind and body. As Kelly put it, “What’s cool is Pilates can really meet any body where it’s at and start there.” So why not be inquisitive about Pilates and find a class near you or go to reformcda.com to get started.
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Dr. Emry is a family physician and partner at Ironwood Family Practice in Coeur d’Alene. Exercise Explorer MD will appear every other week in The Press and Dr. Emry can be contacted via email exercisexplorermd@gmail.com. © 2024. This work is licensed under a CC BY-ND 4.0 license.
Dr. Geoff Emry is joined by Kathy Canfield-Davis, left, and Kelly Pintler for a pilates lesson.