Pilates is great for your body, and helps build a long, lean, flexible body, but its inventor saw that it was good for those whose bodies needed repair and healing, too. Joseph Pilates, born in 1880, was considered a "sickly" young man. He had asthma, rickets, and rhumatic fever. Being small and ill meant he was teased and bullied. To overcome his physical weakness, young Joesph began a work out regime based on Greek and Roman physical disciplines and Yoga. Eventually, he became strong and undertook boxing, diving and gymnastics.
During a training visit to England, World War 1 broke out, and Pilates became interned during the war. He used the exercise methods he'd developed, not only to stay in shape himself, but he also taught the other prisoners the careful movements he used to create his strong, flexible body.
Pilates didn't concern himself only with those who wanted a better body. He helped rehabilitate those suffering from injuries and other maladies. In fact, the reformer, a popular piece of modern pilates equipment was originally built from bed frames and springs and used to help the disabled and those injured in the war exercise more efficiently. For more about early pilates see: http://www.sabrinasvard.com/pilates.htm#joe
