Joseph Pilates’ Internment Years: A Fresh Perspective on Pilates’ History and Relevance Today

 

Over the past few months, I’ve been captivated by a series of four articles published on Bret Miller’s Pilates Intel website, authored by Jonathan Grubb, a historian and Pilates instructor based on the Isle of Man.  These meticulously researched pieces focus on a pivotal period in Joseph Pilates’ life, from his arrest in September 1914 to his internment on the Isle of Man, and finally to his transfer to Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill London as World War I ended.

Grubb’s work offers new insights into Pilates’ time in captivity, dispelling myths and highlighting themes that are as relevant today as they were over a century ago, here’s an overview of the articles and the key lessons they hold for modern Pilates instructors.

Arrest and Early Internment (Lancaster Camp)

The first article sets the scene with Pilates’ arrest in Blackpool in September 1914, following Britain’s classification of Germans, Austrians, and other nationals from enemy countries as “enemy aliens.” Pilates was transported to Lancaster Internment Camp, where conditions were challenging but provided initial opportunities for him to share his exercise methods with fellow internees.

Arrival at Knockaloe Camp

Part two shifts focus to Pilates’ transfer to the much larger Knockaloe Internment Camp on the Isle of Man in September 1915.  Grubb reconstructs daily life at Knockaloe through archival records, diary entries, and photographs.  Pilates found himself among over 23,000 internees, confined within 22 acres.

Life and Work in Knockaloe

The third article delves deeper into Pilates’ time at Knockaloe, where he observed the physical and psychological toll of internment on himself and others.  He reportedly used this time to refine his exercise system, which aimed to counteract the deteriorating health of internees.  Grubb suggests that Pilates’ observations of cats inspired some of the fluid, controlled movements central to his method.

Release and Transfer to Alexandra Palace

The final article explores Pilates’ release from Knockaloe in March 1919 and his transfer to Alexandra Palace in London.  Here, internees awaited repatriation decisions, with many being denied permission to remain in Britain despite having families.  Grubb reflects on how this chapter influenced Pilates’ future work, including his emphasis on resilience and holistic health.

I recommend all Pilates professionals to read the four articles in full at https://www.pilatesintel.com/ apart from providing a great insight into our profession they also challenge several commonly held views and myths about Joseph Pilates’ internment years:

The Positive Reframing of Internment

Common View: Pilates’ time in internment is often depicted solely as a tragic and oppressive chapter.

Grubb’s Insight: While conditions were undoubtedly harsh, Pilates reportedly viewed his internment as a period of growth.  He expressed gratitude for the time it gave him to develop his exercise method.  This perspective reframes internment not as a setback but as a crucible for innovation.

The Origins of the Pilates Method

Common View: Pilates’ method is often attributed to influences such as yoga, martial arts, and gymnastics, combined with a deep understanding of anatomy.

Joseph Pilates was inspired by observation of cats movement

Grubb’s Insight: Pilates’ observations of cats at Knockaloe add a tangible, specific source of inspiration.  Their fluidity and grace informed the development of movements designed to maintain health under confined conditions.

The Role of Mental Health

Common View: Pilates’ method is traditionally framed as primarily addressing physical fitness.

Grubb’s Insight: The concept of “barbed wire disease” (what we now recognise as depression) emerged as a significant issue during internment.  Pilates witnessed firsthand the mental health struggles of internees and used his method to combat not just physical deterioration but also psychological despair.  This highlights the holistic nature of his approach, addressing both body and mind.

The Conditions of Knockaloe Camp

Common View: The camps are often vaguely described or romanticised as places where Pilates simply taught exercises.

Grubb’s Insight: Grubb provides a detailed picture of the overcrowded and harsh conditions, including severe food shortages and rampant depression.  This stark reality adds depth to the narrative of Pilates’ resilience and the development of his method.

The Myth of Apparatus Creation

Common View : Pilates is often credited with inventing equipment like the reformer during internment, using bed springs and other materials.

Grubb’s Insight: While Pilates was innovative, there is little concrete evidence to suggest he developed his apparatus during internment.  Grubb instead focuses on Pilates’ work with mat-based exercises and physical movement.

Key Takeaway for Pilates Instructors

One of the most striking revelations from Grubb’s work is how Pilates’ method was a response to both physical and mental health challenges.  The concept of “barbed wire disease” which Grubb translates as ‘depression’ contextualises Pilates’ exercises as tools for combatting depression, anxiety, and despair—issues that are as pressing today as they were in 1914.

Instructors and studio owners can draw several lessons from this:  

Highlight the Mind-Body Connection: Pilates’ exercises were designed to strengthen not only the body but also the mind.  This is a powerful message for marketing and client engagement, especially in today’s world, where mental health is a growing concern.

Frame Pilates as a Tool for Resilience: Pilates is not just about fitness; it’s about fostering resilience in the face of adversity.

Expand Your Narrative: Sharing this holistic view of Pilates’ history can inspire clients and differentiate your studio by emphasising the broader benefits of the method.

Jonathan Grubb’s articles on Joseph Pilates’ internment years shed new light on aspects of the origins of the Pilates method, challenging myths and enriching our understanding of its holistic nature.  Pilates instructors today have a unique opportunity to draw from this history, presenting Pilates as a timeless tool for both physical and mental well-being.

I encourage every instructor to read Grubb’s articles in full and to reflect on how this deeper understanding of Pilates’ history can inspire your teaching and your clients.