The Pilates Method, originally known as Contrology, was created by Joseph Hubertus Pilates (born in Germany, 1883-1967). Contrology emphasizes mindful movement (intention) with focus on breath, core connection, postural alignment, and coordination. From their NYC ‘body conditioning gym,’ Joseph and his partner, Anna ‘Clara’ Zeuner (trained nurse), worked extensively (while not exclusively) with professional athletes and dancers to effectively enhance their performance and/or rehabilitate their repetitive injuries. Before Joseph migrated to the US, in 1926, it was said that he ran boxing gyms, taught self-defense to the Scotland Yard and helped rehabilitate fellow ill/injured WWI internees in England. Joseph’s innovative fitness methods was first born out of overcoming his own early childhood ailments/disabilities, with the help of his gymnast father and naturopathic mother. Joseph excelled as an athlete (boxer, gymnast, skier, diver,…) to ultimately share his methodology with the world.

Pilates exercises are practiced on several primary Pilates apparatuses, as well as on the mat/floor. Out of necessity, Joseph Pilates made the most of what was available to him in creating tools or equipment to better adapt the exercise to individuals with varied physical conditions and challenges: hospital beds, metal bed springs, wooden chairs and wine barrels. Hence, the practical and functional design of the Pilates equipment made today still holds true to his original design and intention. While an ever growing number of certified Pilates trainers and physical therapists continue to apply the Contrology principles all over the world for fitness and rehabilitative applications today, the Pilates Method is applicable to all abilities and ages.

Juliu Horvath (Hungarian, born in Romania in 1942) continues to teach and evolve his GXS® today. The GYROTONIC® Method connects exercises with specialized equipment while the GYROKINESIS® Method applies exercises most applicable to the chair/floor. While having already reached a global community in over 74 countries worldwide, the GXS® continues to grow as a well respected mindbody fitness method.

A life filled with athleticism and movement, Juliu excelled in swimming, rowing and gymnastics (to name a few) well before pursuing the study of dance at the late age of 19 and becoming a principle dancer by age 21. Subsequently, Juliu deepened his exploration into yoga and movement (especially as it related to its therapeutic benefits), culminating into a greater movement. By the early 1980’s, Juliu began teaching his GYROKINESIS® Method of exercise in New York City in his quest to share his personal journey and discoveries in fitness and wellness.

The GXS® embodies 3-dimensional movements that free the body (including fascia and joints) for rejuvenation and healing. The dynamic, multidimensional movements of GXS® parallels movements in swimming, gymnastics, dance, tai chi, martial arts, kundalini yoga and beyond. Juliu’s revolutionary design of the GYROTONIC® line of specialized equipment were created with these movement disciplines in mind. Through the rhythmic, fluid, sequential movements, the GXS® approaches the whole body: stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion, improving functional strength, and enhancing cognitive function. In addition, the continuous spinal motion likens to an internal massage of the organs and nervous systems, elevating circulation (oxygen) and vitality with a deep sense of calm and wellness.

Juliu Horvath wrote The Art of Exercising and Beyond (2011), a collection of poetry and drawings composed during a deep dive into his own personal healing process that started in early 1970's.

Functional-Strength Training is ‘whole-istic’ in approach and transferable to everyday life. While working the body from inside out, the aim is to integrate multiple joint and muscle groups at the same time to mimic and enhance movements found in daily activities and beyond - pushing, pulling, lifting, rotating, reaching, balancing, coordinating - for greater balance and efficiency in movement. Think longevity, sustainability, and pain-free mobility. For life.

Postural Distortion Patterns | Without proper postural alignment, we set our bodies up for not only greater muscle imbalances, but also a series of injuries/traumas.

Weak Structure (joints/ligaments/soft-tissues) | TIGHT • DE-CONDITIONED • HYPER-MOBILE/OVER-STRETCHED • MISALIGNED.

Assess and reAssess (repeat) | Improve dynamic flexibility on all sides of the body while improving integrated total body strength.

Quality over Quantity | Poor-forming repetitions (‘repetitive’) of any exercise only creates greater muscle imbalance/trauma, setting the body and progress back.