At The Vertical Workshop,
we practice and teach Classical Pilates.

But, what is Classical Pilates?
With so many variations on Pilates on the market,
the original form of Pilates can get lost in the shuffle,
unless you know what to look for in a studio and teacher.

Classical Pilates means we do only Joseph Pilates
original exercises, using his order, his vocabulary and his intention.
We work on as many of his apparatus as we can, including the Mat,
Reformer, Trapeze Table/Cadillac, High Chair,
Wunda Chair, Barrels, Spine Corrector, Ped-o-pul,
Magic Circle, etc.

Mr. Pilates was born in Mönchingladbach, near Dusseldorf,
in Germany in 1880. A very weak and sick child,
he struggled with asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever.
In his challenge to strengthen himself and understand
the body, he studied anatomy books and
animal behavior in nature.

Mr. Pilates was interested and excelled in many different
sports and physical disciplines. Boxing, gymnastics,
skiing, diving, wrestling, self-defense and yoga were
several. You can see their influence in his exercises.

It was during WWI that Mr. Pilates began developing his
exercises in to what he called “Contrology”. After the war,
he moved to America. In 1926, Mr. Pilates and his wife, Clara
opened a gym at 939 Eighth Avenue — a building full
of dance rehearsal studios. The directors called on Mr. Pilates
to rehabilitate and strengthen their dancers.

In January 1966, a horrific fire burned down the gym.
It is possible that smoke inhalation from the fire eventually
led to Mr. Pilates‚ death at 87 years old in October 1967.
Clara Pilates ran the studio until she died in 1977.

Even though Contrology/Pilates was designed by a man
for men, it is a system of exercises loved by dancers of both genders,
It is perfect workout balancing strength and stretch.
It builds long, lean muscles through core-abdominal strength,
increases stamina and creates great stability. What
more could we want from an exercise program!

It is said that Mr. Pilates wanted Contrology studios
on ever street corner. It appears that his dream has come true!