German Joseph Hubertus Pilates faced numerous health challenges during his childhood, such as asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. These obstacles sparked his interest in physical fitness and the human body, leading him to explore diverse disciplines.
During his time as a nurse in the First World War, he cleverly repurposed bed springs to create makeshift exercise equipment, refining his method called "Contrology."
Fast forward to today, Pilates has become one of the most well-known exercises globally. Through our collection of pilates quotes below by no other than the creator himself, have a glimpse of what sets it apart from other exercises.
Quick links to our selection of Pilates quotes:
As its former name suggests, Contrology, the heart of Pilates, is control. It is the belief that we should master our body rather than be controlled by it. Through heightened awareness, the exercise leads us to improved posture, flexibility, balance, and a deeper understanding of one's physical abilities.
Joseph Pilates' holistic approach to fitness goes beyond merely building the physical body; it also nurtures mental well-being. Practitioners harness the power of breath control and meticulous movements to cultivate mental clarity. Studies even show how participants in a pilates group have higher mindfulness scores than the exercise control group participants3.
Have an overview of what this exercise offers through the pilates quotes below. And for further reading, click here for our selection of mental health quotes, or check out our article defining mindfulness by Jenny Birkett.
"Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit."
"Contrology is not a system of haphazard exercises designed to produce only bulging muscles."
"You will feel better in ten sessions, look better in twenty sessions, and have a completely new body in thirty sessions."
"The Pilates Method teaches you to be in control of your body and not at its mercy."
"Through the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning this unique trinity of a balanced body, mind and spirit can ever be attained. Self-confidence follows."
"A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion."
"As a heavy rainstorm freshens the water of a sluggish or stagnant stream and whips it into immediate action, so does the Pilates Methods purify the bloodstream."
Joseph Pilates was a staunch advocate for physical fitness, famously declaring, "Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness." A few pilates sessions could improve your condition if you have chronic low back pain. A study even says the effects are comparable to massage therapy2.
So, whether you're a fitness newbie or a seasoned athlete, Pilates invites you to start a lifelong commitment to staying healthy.
Read the following pilates quotes that encourage you to move. Or, for some light relief, check our happiness quotes.
"Physical fitness can neither be achieved by wishful thinking nor outright purchase."
"To achieve the highest accomplishments within the scope of our capabilities in all walks of life we must constantly strive to acquire strong, healthy bodies and develop our minds to the limits of our ability."
"Civilisation impairs physical fitness."
"Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure."
"Concentrate on the correct movement each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all the vital benefits. Correctly executed and mastered to the point of subconscious reaction, these exercises will reflect grace and balance in your routine activities."
"If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young."
The creator viewed breathing as an indispensable part of his exercises. He believed that mastering the proper breathing techniques not only purifies the body and mind but also boosts the workout's effectiveness.
Pilates breathing techniques require us to inhale deeply through our nose and then exhale forcefully through our mouth, contracting our abdominal muscles. This form of breathing may seem challenging at first. But with practice, it can reduce stress, increase body awareness, and better activate core muscles.
As you read the Pilates quotes below, fill your lungs with fresh air.
"Before any real benefit can be derived from physical exercises, one must first learn how to breathe properly. Our very life depends on it."
"Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it."
"Lazy breathing converts the lungs, literally and figuratively speaking, into a cemetery for the deposition of diseased, dying and dead germs as well as supplying an ideal haven for the multiplication of other harmful germs."
Pilates quotes on healthy living highlight the significance of self-awareness and a positive mindset. The practice makes us more in tune with our bodies, allowing us to listen to their signals and respond with care.
As we develop self-awareness, we also improve our decision-making in other aspects of our lives, such as nutrition and stress management.
According to a study of adult women, after engaging in six months of pilates sessions1, the participants experienced increased life satisfaction, perception of appreciation by other people, perception of physical appearance, and many other areas.
If you want a holistic approach to healthy living, follow the advice from the pilates quotes below.
"Change happens through movement and movement heals."
"By all means, never fail to get all the sunshine and fresh air you can."
"The man who uses intelligence with respect to his diet, his sleeping habits and who exercises properly, is beyond any question of doubt taking the very best preventive medicines provided so freely and abundantly by nature."
"Never slouch, as doing so compresses the lungs, overcrowds other vital organs, rounds the back, and throws you off balance."
If you're a yoga practitioner, you might notice its similarities with Pilates, such as being low-impact and focusing on breathing. However, yoga is typically more fluid and flowing, while Pilates is more static and controlled. The former also tends to be more spiritual and meditative, while the latter focuses more on physical fitness. Finally, both can be done on a mat, but Pilates also has special equipment.
Even if more Americans engage in yoga, Pilates is still practiced by 9.8 million participants, based on a 2022 survey by Statista. Whatever type of exercise you prefer, prioritizing your health is always the best decision.
Start your fitness journey after reading the rest of the Joseph Pilates quotes below. For more insights on exercises, check our collection of yoga quotes, and if practicing either yoga or pilates, grab an eco-friendly yoga mat to support your moves.
"Everyone is the architect of their own happiness."
"Patience and persistence are vital qualities in the ultimate successful accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavor."
"Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty not only to attain it but to maintain it."
"The mind, when housed within a healthful body, possesses a glorious sense of power."
"When all your muscles are properly developed, you will, as a matter of course, perform your work with minimum effort and maximum pleasure."
A man is as young as his spinal column.
~ Joseph Pilates
| 1 | Ana Cruz-Ferreira MA, Jorge Fernandes PhD, Dulce Gomes PhD, Lisa Marie Bernardo PhD, Bruce D. Kirkcaldy PhD, Tiago M. Barbosa PhD & António Silva PhD (2011) Effects of Pilates-Based Exercise on Life Satisfaction, Physical Self-Concept and Health Status in Adult Women, Women & Health, 51:3, 240-255, DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2011.563417 |
| 2 | Wells, C., Kolt, G. S., Marshall, P., Hill, B., & Bialocerkowski, A. (2014). The Effectiveness of Pilates Exercise in People with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. PLOS ONE, 9(7), e100402. |
| 3 | Caldwell, K., Adams, M., Quin, R., Harrison, M., & Greeson, J. (2013). Pilates, Mindfulness and Somatic Education. Journal of dance & somatic practices, 5(2), 141–153. |
Isabela is a determined millennial passionate about continuously seeking out ways to make an impact. With a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors, Isabela’s research expertise and interest in artistic works, coupled with a creative mindset, offers readers a fresh take on different environmental, social, and personal development topics.
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