Contemporary or Classical - What’s the difference?

CONNECT Physical Therapy and Pilates is a contemporary Pilates studio in Golden, Colorado. It’s common for clients to not fully understand the history of Pilates or how it has evolved over the years so here is a quick history lesson.

History

Joseph Pilates (yes, he’s a person) was born in 1883 and developed his method over many years as he studied exercise and fitness for his own health reasons. He was taken in by the Greek “ideal man” that encompassed not only a healthy body but a healthy mind and spirit as well. Using the best available information at the time, he continued to innovate even while interned in WWI as German “enemy alien.” This eventually led him to bring his fitness method to the US in 1926 to avoid having to train the German army in his techniques. After opening a studio in New York his method began to spread, especially to dancers who occupied the same building as his studio. Joe and his wife Clara trained many students who then branched off, moved to other parts of the country and began training their own students. Following a lawsuit in the year 2000 a divide began to emerge sparking a debate between classical and contemporary practitioners.

Contemporary

Contemporary Pilates instructors encompass a variety of training programs and backgrounds. They are movement professionals who honor and build upon the strong foundations laid for us by Mr. Pilates and recognize the giant leaps forward we have made in our understanding of the body. Our bodies have different needs than they did at the time of the creation of the Pilates method and we understand more of the complexities that make up healthy human movement. Contemporary equipment has evolved in it’s design to reflect the modern body and to help make Pilates accessible to more people. Contemporary teachers offer more diverse range of movements and exercise variations and are able to create a more personal and individualized approach while still honoring the fundamental principles of breath, control, efficiency and balanced development.

Classical

Classical teachers believe Pilates should only be taught the way Joe taught and tend to follow a specific order of exercises in their teaching, use equipment that most closely resembles the equipment Joe originally built, and tend to subscribe to the idea that if you just keep practicing your body will adapt. They too honor the principles set out of breath, control, efficiency, and balanced development and achieve this through precise replication of the movement recipe.

Our Philosophy

We have so much more information about the body today than what was available to Joe 100 years ago. Our providers are up to date on the latest in movement and exercise science and are able to provide experiences that match that knowledge base. We have an environment where all people can find ways to

Feel Better. Move Better. Live Better.

Our contemporary equipment provides an accessible way for bodies of all types and abilities to discover the amazing benefits Pilates provides. Personally, I like to say that I think Mr. Pilates would be disappointed that people are still trying to do things the way he was doing it 100 years ago. He was ahead of his time and such an innovator and I like to believe he would approve of all the advances that have been made. I think the greatest compliment a creator can get is to have someone else build on the foundation they laid. We are grateful for all that Joe and his students have done and continue to be excited as we explore new ways to help create more Pilates enthusiasts who, like Joe, believe in the ideal of a strong body, mind, and spirit.

Give us a call today to get started with your personal Pilates journey! (303)993-2237