Some people like to use their weekend getaways to relax and take some time off the hustle and bustle - perhaps even interning themselves in the comfortable facilities of a spa. Well, this time that was not the case for me, as I flew to a small nation located in the Irish Sea to quite literally discover the roots of one of the trendiest workouts. The Isle of Man is so close to the UK it only takes 20 minutes to reach via plane from Liverpool , but despite its proximity, many Brits are unaware of its beauty and its importance in the creation of Pilates .
Known as a demanding physical workout that not only strengthens the muscles and promotes flexibility, but also enhances the mind-body connection, this exercise has garnered a fair amount of attention over the last few years. But what many may not know, is that this invigorating workout has a much darker origin, precisely in this self-governing British Crown Dependency . A post shared by Melanie Kaidan (@melkaidan) Pilates was created by in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, who was born in Mönchengladbach, Germany, to a gymnast father and naturopath mother.
The idea for his method came to him during World War I while he was interned at the Knockaloe camp on the Isle of Man. Over the four years he spent there, Pilates worked with other detainees, refining his system of exercises designed to enhanced both the mind and body. He believed that mental and physical well-being were deeply connected, and.
