From Jennifer Aniston to David Beckham, celebrities and athletes talk about their devotion to practice Pilates, a form of exercise that focuses on movement and breathing to involve and strengthen the body. Developed by personal coach Joe Pilates, the classic form of practice was adopted by US dancers and performers. UU. After Pilates established his first study in New York in 1926.
Pilates, either in the mat or machines specifically developed as the box and the cable apparatus known as reformer, has gained popularity, since many of us imagine as Pilates princesses (at least aesthetically with the trend -style clothes ). However, physical practice is more than a passing trend: just ask Risa Sheppard, the founder of the Sheppard method. Sheppard celebrates 50 years of Pilates on February 20, 2025, and recently did a Q&A with me looking back in Pilates in the last 50 years, including its longevity in industry and practice itself.
TAM: When did Pilates introduce you for the first time? What has made you continue with him for so long?
Risa: They presented Pilates for the first time at the end of 1974 when I read an article about a new type of exercise called Body Contraology. A former dancer with Martha Graham named Ron Fletcher had studied with a man named Joe Pilates in New York after hurting himself in the dance. Later he moved to the west and settled in Beverly Hills ca WHere he decided to open his own study called «Ron Fletcher School of Body Contraology.» Upon entering the study in the corner of Rodeo Dr. and Wilshire Blvd., these strange equipment machines presented me and, of course, Ron himself. Being just 22 years, I admired Ron and his charismatic personality. Not to mention that I fell in love with work, especially Ron’s Mat. «I felt like a dancer without being a dancer.» This was different from the aerobics of the time. I loved finding a place that made me feel at home.
TAM: What inspired you to start teaching Pilates 50 years ago?
Risa: I would say that it was for this time that I realized that I loved teaching. And my clients loved me to teach them. I immediately chose to finish my call as an actor and concentrated on teaching for Ron. Ron retired in 1980 and moved to Texas. Diane Serverino and Michel Podwell, two of Ron’s disciples decided to stay and work in the study. Pilates had not yet become crazy, so maintaining the open study was difficult. One day, a client called and said: “I never have time to come to the study. If only someone came to my house: I took the opportunity and said: «I will,» I loved the idea that this could be a new and new way to start a business. Then I started training in people houses. I called my new business the Sheppard method. Not many people knew what Pilates was, they simply enjoyed what would happen if I had to offer them.
TAM: What has changed in Pilates teaching philosophy in the last 50 years? What has remained the same?
Risa: Since the first days of the 1970s, Pilates has changed in many ways. As more and more people are attracted to what is now called «Pilates», some studies have become a more athletic type of pilates or called «contemporary.» I have chosen to stay and continue with the traditional classic method: always trying to be faithful to what Joe Pilates wanted and taught his clients.
TAM: How is Pilates a sustainable practice as we age?
Risa: If I am an example of aging well with Pilates, I would say that at 71 years of age I am as flexible and strong as in my youth. It is a scientific fact that their bodies can change and adapt as we age. Exercise is an important part of aging. Pilates keeps you flexible, strong and ready for anything that comes to you because you have a strong base. Pilates works the nucleus giving strength to the body. Having a strong body goes hand in hand with a strong mind. Pilates helps our body, mind and spirit. As our body becomes more fluid, we also do our mind, we become more receptive to «the winds of change.»
TAM: Do you have to have started Pilates at an earlier age to continue practicing now?
Risa: No, people can and start pilates at any age. We have clients who start Pilates for the first time in their 80 years. They harvest the benefits and achieve excellent results; Greater flexibility, more strength, better alignment, balance and grace.
TAM: Do you need a specific level of aptitude to start Pilates?
Risa: You do not need a specific level of aptitude to do pilates. Some who come to my study have never exercised regularly. Joe Pilates taught us to work on the body in front of you. There are no two people equal, so Pilates is individualized. One can come from an athletic or dance background, or without physical exercise.
TAM: What is your philosophy about movement and aging?
Risa: Keep moving, never stop. As Jane Fonda said: «Just set foot in the accelerator and keep going.»
Tam: If you could only make a movement up to date as the «greatest explosion for money» when you stay with motivation, what would it be?
Risa: The 100: They set fire to their engine, work in the abdominals and work the whole body. Not only do they strengthen the nucleus, but also «accelerate» the engine from the inside, better preparing its body for greater improvement.
How to do the 100: place on the back, lift your legs in the position of the table straightening them towards the sky and then bending the knees just above 45 degrees. Raise your arms to heaven. Inhale to prepare. Exhale to press the arms down so that they hire parallel to the legs without touching the mat. Pump your arms on the sides for 5 percussive exhalations. Repeat 10 times. This can be done with legs at 90 degrees towards the roof, or extended to 45 degrees with straight legs. No matter what option is taken, the movement must come from the center.
Do you want to know more about laughter, the Sheppard method and its work? Check out his latest book entitled «Conscious Movement: cures your back with BAM therapy (body and mind)», the study of how our mental thoughts can affect our physical movement and well -being, and visit it, and visit it website.
Have you tried Pilates? Let me know what your favorite movement is. (Me? I love the stretch of one leg). ~ Tam
TAM TURSE is the FBG and Comm MGR editor in Miles to go athletics. In addition to her communications work, she is a coach Ryt-500 and running. If you are not on the mat, you are currently running the miles training for the Boston marathon. You can find and connect with it in Ig @Tamurse.
