History of Joseph Pilates
Joseph Pilates was born near sseldorf, Germany in 1880. His father was a prize-winning gymnast and his mother was a naturopath. As a child, Joseph suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Because of this, he was determined to dedicate his life to becoming physically stronger. He would spend hours studying anatomy books, learning every page, every part of the body; “I would move each part as I memorized it. As a child I would lie in the woods for hours, hiding and watching the animals move.” By the age of fourteen, he was so successful in his goal that he was asked to model for a series of anatomical charts. He also became a self-taught athlete who excelled at skiing, diving, gymnastics, and boxing.
In 1912 Pilates traveled to England where he made a living as a boxer and self-defense trainer of detectives at Scotland Yard. When World War I broke out two years later, he was considered an enemy alien, and was interned with other Germans at a camp in Lancaster and later on the Isle of Man.
At the camps he trained his fellow internees in the physical fitness exercises he had developed and began assisting the camp’s hospital in helping the bedridden patients regain strength and muscle control.
To assist these patients in their exercises Joseph adapted hospital beds with pulleys, straps, and bed springs, thus creating what may have been the first exercises utilizing variable resistance a unique concept at least 50 years ahead of its time. These adapted beds were the forerunners of the Pilates equipment we use today. He was widely credited when none of the internees succumbed to an influenza pandemic that swept the world in 1918. Tens of millions of healthy people died from this virulent strain of flu, particularly the incarcerated populations.
After the war he returned to Hamburg, Germany where he continued to develop his fitness theories and exercises while training the Hamburg Military Police. During this period several important movement innovators, such as Rudolf Von Laban and Mary Wigman, had the good fortune to work with Pilates. By 1925 he had achieved a certain fame in his native Germany, and when the government asked him to train the new German army he decided to immigrate to America where he could pursue his own path with his work.
On the ship to America Pilates met his future wife Clara, a nurse. Upon arrival, the couple founded a studio in New York City which is in operation to this day.
Joseph Pilates practiced what he preached, a method he called Contrology, and lived a long, healthy life Upon his death in 1967 at the age of 87, Clara continued to teach the Pilates method at the studio until her retirement in 1971 when she left the studio in the able hands of Joseph’s protege Romana Kryzanowska.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US
Great environment and instructors! Can really feel the difference after each lesson. Been here for the past 3 years! Every time I feel the session becomes manageable, Song will increase the difficulty by another notch and continue to make it engaging and challenging.
Serene Khoo I've tried other studios and still find Pilates Flow to be the best. I really like how the instructors stay true to the classical approach, and I can really feel the difference in my body. Highly recommended!
Carmen Chow The instructors at Pilates flow are well experienced and always look out for their client's best interest. My instructor is outstanding and experienced, and tailors the various reformer exercises to my needs. They are patient and encouraging, and this is the place to go if you want something that is personalized and not intimidating Pilate experience.
Joey Ng Great place 10/10 recommended. The studio is beautiful and the instructors are professional and experienced. I have never attended a pilates lesson in my life and always thought that it was just glorified yoga. However, after attending my first lesson here I can definitively say that I have found a new way to train my body. Will definitely be coming back here for more!??
Shane Yu I have practiced Pilates for five years until I found Pilates Flow @ 2nd. Here the teachers teach Romana’s classical Pilates. I finally understood and believe that practicing Pilates can change my body. Build body strength and flexibility as well as maintain a lean and long body. Here is a small cozy and well equipped studio with passionate instructors!
Yankwee Teng 5 stars. This is the 1st pilates studio that I feel that I am working my body.
Hong Chin Been learning here for 2 years under an easy going instructor who always encourages me to push harder. In the beginning I was inflexible and skinny-fat but now I can see improvements and tightening throughout my body especially around my abs, back and arms. It’s a calm and positive environment where I feel accepted compared to other studios I’ve tried which is why I think it’s the best pilates studio in Singapore.
Clara Barbero Great classes. The studio is clean and comfortable, and all the Instructors are very skilled and knowledgeable. The one on one classes are personalised to really address your specific health and fitness needs and goals.
Michelle Chong Well equipped, Clean and peaceful studio with Attentive , knowledgeable and professional instructors. I have been with Pilates Flow for 3 years, attended both 1-1 and mat classes, instructors were not only encouraging and patient, they are all amazingly attentive to the details, both by making sure that I am working out the right core muscle in the right way and giving us specific instruction on how to achieve results of each exercise. Since I have started my lessons I no longer have backaches and feel great. ?⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Serene Chan The studio offers a clean and cozy environment. It stays true to classical Pilates ( i.e. the original teachings of Joseph Pilates) It also keeps the Pilates Mat classes small with a maximum of six students to ensure personalised feedback and focus. I enjoyed the Pilates Mat class as it helps to ease the stiffness of my shoulders and lower back after a long day at work, as well as strengthening and toning my body.
Angie Zoë Zhang excellent for one-on-one classes... great environment .. not rushed nor noisy..
Heather Huang New way of doing Pilates for me. Love it! Great workout, conditioning, and re-learn about my body!Thank you.
Chinami Stern This studio offers the highest level of Pilates training. The teachers are wonderful and very skilled.
Amanda Westphal Owens Excellent teachers that go hand in hand with postural strengthening, health and wellness. Will always refer clients to them for advanced core strengthening. Thumbs up!
Mark Enriquez I'm a classical pilates instructor myself and I find that the Instructors here stay true to Joseph pilates work. Great work outs and intuitive teaching! You won't find better Instructors anywhere in town! These guys are all trained intensively in NYC!
Belinda Ting Aku ska pilatessssSangat mnyehatkan
Lira Agustina Lira If you're looking for Pilates training, look no further! Best Pilates studio by far.
Judd Sanchez Great place. Awesome workout. Song knows his stuff!
Casey Lai Best in Town ...
Vincent Chan Pure passionate dedication with an intention of wellness and fitness!
Shannen Tan Best pilates studio in Singapore!
Tina Tong I've always done Pilates on mat but now I love the workout routines on the Reformer even more. At Pilates Flow, each workout will leave me refreshed and toned. The instructors are very well trained as well as very experience and very passionate about the art of Pilates workout.
Zara Johari Best place for pilates
Melanie Ong Greeted by the very friendly owner Song Young who was very patient and helpful. Instructors have been top notched and classes have been great!
Mark Wu awesome reviews, awesome place !
Bryan Lian Best in the business!
Tomoki Echigo song lives and breathes pilates
Stefan Suarez Ask for Song. He's LEGIT.
Clarence Chiew The best Pilates in town for sure!
Caryn Cheah Hsiao Fen Good equipment, Great environment, Better Experience
Tim Oh what an amazing experience at this studio!!! Cozy, Clean and Attentive Instructors too!!!!
Maersk Sin Wee Top notch instructors - very knowledgeable, attentive and approachable. If you are looking for an exceptional Pilates experience, I would highly recommend Flow.
Nicholas Louis Excellent equipment & professional trainers to guide u for a good workout.
Lincoln Lim Great Pilates place!!
Shahirah Robinson Great instructors and equipment for Pilates!
Karyn Lee Best place for Pilates!
Sean Tan Juncong Very Patient Instructors and certainly worth your time there!
Audree Koh state of art equipments and very professional trainers .
Hunter Kian Siang Yap Great attention to detail and feels like a "custom tailored" experience that constantly challenges you.
Norman Hartono One of the best workouts!!
Yohan John Kim I've been to scores of Pilates studios around the world and Flow easily measures up in my Top 5. While small, it's cozy environment and focus on classical Pilates (staying true to Joseph Pilates methods as closely as possible) earns my recommendation multiple times over.
Jonathan Chew
