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In the 20th century Joseph Pilate developed a physical fitness system named Pilates Method or simply pilates. He referred to this method as Contrology as it encouraged the use of mind to control the muscles. Pilates wrote two books on the pilates method of exercise. The books titled Return to Life Through Contrology and Your Health: A Collective System of Exercising That Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education give a detailed insight of what this physical fitness program is all about.

What Pilates Is All About
Pilates or contrology lays emphasis on the core postural muscles. These muscles provide support to the spine and keep the body balanced. The pilates exercise program teaches proper breathing and creates awareness of the breadth. It strengthens the deep torso muscles as they alleviate and prevent backaches. Alignment of the spine with the body must be correct. All of these techniques can be learned through pilates. Many professional boxers, dancers, and athletes have successfully improved their flexibility and strength through learning and practicing pilates.

Beginning of Pilates
Joseph Pilates started his profession very early. However, he became popular when he started teaching professional boxers and policemen after the WWI. In 1926, Pilates moved to New York and opened his first training studio. He believed in performing precise exercises that required form and control. Repetitive exercises were not taught in his training studio. More than 500 specific exercises were developed by Pilates. Mat work is a frequent form of exercise that does not require any apparatus or weight. It is performed on a padded mat with a series of callisthenic motions.