Hubertus Joseph Pilates
1883 - 1967
1883
Born in Gladbach, Germany on December 9th
Spent his youth as a sickly child who suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever.
Joseph dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger
Joe studied body building and gymnastics and by the age of 14 was fit enough to pose for anatomical charts.
1914
Joseph moved to England earning a living as a boxer, circus performer and self-defense trainer
WWi
Joseph was interned with other German citizens in a camp on the Isle of Man where he trained other inmates in fitness and exercises.
It was here that the beginnings of the Pilates Method, known then as Contrology, began to take shape
1926
Joseph Pilates officially moves to the US and meets Clara on the ship.
They open a studio together in NYC in 1927.
Romana Kryzanowska
1923 - 2013
1942
George Balanchine brings a 19yo Romana to Joseph Pilates (after several unsuccessful doctors’ visits to help her with a heel spur).
Romana starts taking lessons regularly and with Mr. Pilates’ help avoids surgery and is able to continue her professional dance career.
The Protégé
Over the years Romana becomes like family to Joe and Clara. Before his death Joseph confides all his methodology details, notes, and secrets in Romana and entrusts her with continuing the legacy of the work.
1967
Joseph Pilates passes away on October 9, 1967
Romana takes over the Pilates Studio.
1975
Romana starts training teachers, though there is no formal certification yet.
Over the years she develops various business relationships and starts creating and developing a teacher training program…
2000
Romana, Sari, and Maytal
2013
Romana passes away on August 30, 2013.
The legacy of the work and all its intricacies is left Sari (her daughter) and to the Romana’s Pilates® teaching community and the certification program she created.
2006
2019
Maytal is named a Level IV Romana’s Pilates Instructor Trainer,
continuing the legacy of instructor training as Joe left it to Romana, who left it to us.