TEXT ON SCREEN: PILATES. CELEBRITIES LOVE THE EXERCISES.

ARCHIVAL:
MELANIE GRIFFITH (ACTRESS): Within a month my body was tight. My derriere was lifted.

TEXT ON SCREEN: BUT DO THEY KNOW THE HISTORY?

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM (OWNER, ROLATES PILATES): People think Pilates is a name like yoga. And there’s no Mr. Yoga. But there is a Mr. Pilates.

TEXT ON SCREEN: MR. PILATES?

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: Really? Invented by a man? Who was he?

TEXT ON SCREEN: JOSEPH PILATES WAS BORN IN GERMANY IN 1883.

A FRAIL AND SICKLY CHILD, HE EXERCISED TO OVERCOME HIS AILMENTS  AND RISE ABOVE HIS CIRCUMSTANCES.

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: Since he was in England during World War I, he then was shipped off to an internment camp.

TEXT ON SCREEN: DURING WORLD WAR I, BRITAIN INTERNED THOUSANDS OF GERMANS AND OTHER “ENEMY ALIENS.”

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: Joe, exercising, knew it was something that helped his personal suffering, and knew that physical fitness invigorated him to keep going.

TEXT ON SCREEN:  JOE DEVELOPED A SPECIFIC EXERCISE ROUTINE AND TAUGHT IT TO OTHER INTERNEES.

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: He was able to get people off the ground and do something physical to get through all that they had to deal with.

TEXT ON SCREEN: HE ALSO RIGGED UP EXERCISE MACHINES FOR FOR THE INJURED AND SICK.

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: He felt that even if they were in the bed that they should still move.

TEXT ON SCREEN: THESE WERE THE FORERUNNERS OF MODERN PILATES EQUIPMENT.

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: Today, we call it Pilates, but its original name was contrology–to have total control, mind over body, and so that you can go through the challenges of life with greater ease.

TEXT ON SCREEN: AFTER THE WAR, JOE MOVED TO AMERICA AND OPENED AN EXERCISE STUDIO IN NEW YORK CITY.

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: He first opened up his studio right here at 939 8^th Ave, on the second floor. Joe Pilates’ spirit walks the floors. And permeates the air. I’m very humbled that I am operating out of where Pilates began, and I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing if it, if it wasn’t for Joe.

TEXT ON SCREEN: AND WHILE FEW TODAY REMEMBER JOE PILATES THE MAN OR THE CONNECTION TO WORD WAR I, HIS EXERCISES LIVE ON.

ROBERTA ROSE KIRSCHENBAUM: It’s a great honor to see how Pilates has spread around the world. When your body can move free then you just feel a little bit freer in your life.

(END)