performer and taught self defence to Blackpool detectives. When WWI broke out, he was interned in a prisoner of war camp and passed his time by teaching wrestling and self defence to his fellow internees. After the war he returned to Germany where he trained the Hamburg Police, then moved to American to become personal trainer to heavyweight boxer Max Schmelling in 1923. Part of the deal was that

Schmelling would finance a studio for Joe in New York.
By chance, the studio was in the same building that George Balanchine housed his New York City Ballet and before long every dancer sooner or later passed through his doors as did many other performers, among them Laurence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn, Christopher Isherwood, and Roberta Peters. He soon became renowned for his ability to help rehabilitate and work with each new body as if it were a fresh challenge.
What Joe Pilates did was to develop a basic series of 34 mat exercises. He continually evolved his method, inventing

more equipment to make his exercises even more effective and then creating more exercises.
In 1964 at the age of 83 he weighed 170 pounds and was still able to do a full split.
How and where can you do Pilates?
While there are a number of excellent books and videos available, it is highly recommended to take some classes first with a well-trained instructor who can evaluate your needs and develop a specific programme for you. Take a look at the Pilates Foundation UK Limited website (www.pilatesfoundation.com) for a studio near you.
After you get started, Brooke Siler’s The Pilates Body is an excellent guide to the matwork exercises, Dreas Reyneke’s Ultimate Pilates is an in-depth and knowledgeable study of the method and so s Anna Selby

and Alan Herdman’s Pilates Creating the Body You Want.
All of Moira Stott’s videos are clear and well-presented. Start with her essential matwork. Website www.stottpilates.com