What is classical Pilates?

Classical Pilates is often considered to be Pilates in its truest most authentic form as Joseph Pilates intended. Classical Pilates covers only the actual exercises that Joseph Pilates created. Pilates spent most of his life creating and refining set order of exercises on the mat and reformer. These exercises are confirmed for us by the Elders (those who studied directly with Pilates himself). Joseph Pilates painstakingly recorded his exercises and exercise sequences a few years prior to his death, when he felt he had perfected his system. He left these notes with his students to continue his legacy.

Why do classical teachers honor and stick to the work that Joseph Pilates created versus changing and creating our own exercises and sequences that no longer follow the principles of Pilates? Because we find that the classical work truly promotes balance within the mind and body. The classical order adequately takes the body through warm up, the core of the workout and cool down. Working through the classical order provides a balanced workout that strengthens and works the body through all planes of motion. There are so many exercises in the classical system that some will say it takes a lifetime of dedication and study to master them all. In doing this classical teachers are able to uphold the legacy that Joseph Pilates left behind.

Tap here for the classical Mat and Reformer sequences.