Our Philosophy:

In order for man to succeed in life, God provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, one for the soul and the other for the body, but the two together. With these two means, man can attain perfection.                       Plato

Pilates

Pilates is exercise, intelligent exercise. It is a method of body conditioning which trains the mind and body to work together toward the goal of overall physical and mental fitness.

There are over 500 different exercises performed on five unique pieces of apparatus. Each exercise is done in a particular sequence, with a minimum number of repetitions and a high degree of precision and mental focus. This focus enables practitioners to achieve control, balance and symmetry in their natural movement. The movements are continuous from one exercise to the next, and as the client progresses, the workout becomes increasingly more challenging and aerobic.

Authentic Pilates

The authentic system is radically different from Pilates-based or inspired training found increasingly in fitness gyms. Authentic Pilates requires authentic equipment and extensive training to master the precision of its classical technique and sequencing of progressively more challenging exercises.

Its select instructors are certified after a minimum of 700 hours in apprenticeship with a Master Teacher, in a lineage-based program that is traced to Mr. Pilates himself. Professional certification produces practitioners able to recognize and work with diverse body types. Authentic instructors adopt and modify the entire repertoire of classical Pilates exercises on the mat and apparatus to specific physical concerns. Certified instructors are vigilant about the physical safety issues and precautions necessary when teaching exercise on Pilates apparatus. Our instructors are certified to the maximum levels and competent from pre Pilates to very advanced training.

The original Pilates method is distinct from other body conditioning. It’s not just a set of exercises. It’s a health restoring movement technique, which has endured the test of time and is proven to show results. Its unique characteristic is the way that Pilates combines Eastern principles of mind/body centering, breathing, and flexibility with Western athletic values such as strength, stability and stamina.

By articulating a progressive program of safe and simple exercises, Joseph Pilates optimized his clients’ physical strength, beauty and healthy youthfulness. Many celebrity actors, singers and professional sports champions enthusiastically practice the Pilates method. Today, Pilates is the fastest growing form of premier exercise in the US.

Joseph Hubert Pilates

Joseph Pilates developed his method for health while serving in hospitals during World War I, before physical therapy was a discipline. He is recorded as citing classical Greek athleticism as his inspiration.

In 1926, Mr. Pilates moved to New York City where he opened a private studio in his apartment. Since that time, his work has attracted a steady and devoted following. Choreographers such as George Balanchine and Martha Graham revered Joseph Pilates and sent him their dance stars. Champion boxers like Max Schmelling sought him out for training to help their performance in competition. Mr. Pilates was also well frequented by the titans of industry and NY socialites.

After his death in 1967 his protégé and chosen successor, Romana Kryzanowska, carried on Mr. Pilates’ work. She (amongst other 1st generation teachers) has largely been responsible for the successful conservation of the authentic method. Her life’s work has been the formation of the next generation of Pilates teachers in the classical system, earning their adoration and esteem. Dorothee Vande Walle, her assistant, has been recognized as a Master teacher of instructors in the authentic Pilates lineage-based tradition.

Gratz Equipment

Mr. Pilates has personally designed the apparatus used at the Pilates Muse. It is made to order by artisans at the original GRATZ furniture factory in NYC and privately imported from the US. This high quality equipment has been tested and adjusted throughout the years by J. Pilates himself, to guarantee healthy posture and safe muscular results.