One of the most exciting aspects of my pilates career so far as been being a part of the reintroduction of many pieces of Joseph Pilates’ “lost apparatus” and teaching each of them to the pilates community through Pilates at The Pillow™. So far, these pieces include the Archival Ped-o-Pul, The Resister, The Bench Mat, The Original Pilates Home Mat, the Original Toe Corrector, and The Bednasium. Additionally, each of these apparatus has original instructions, pictures, and/or film directly from Joseph Pilates, that we also pass on to Pilates at The Pillow™attendees. It is our ability to cite multiple references as well as, in most cases, share the original apparatus itself, which is what makes us The Pilates Source™ for information on these archival pieces.
Many people are unfamiliar with the Lost Apparatus and attend Pilates at The Pillow™ to enhance their knowledge of the depth of Joe’s work as well as their teaching toolbox in an effort to provide their students with as well rounded of an authentic experience as possible.
Joe invented 2 versions of The Resister in the 1940’s
He created 2 charts of Resister exercises that included images, instructions, the purpose of each exercise, breathing instructions, and muscle groups targeted
He archived these same exercises in the same order in photographs as well
His vision was for the public to purchase Resisters to be able to exercise on their own
Joe had a Bench Mat in his NYC studio from the early 1940’s through at least 1957, as documented evidence proves, and he used it very often with students
Both Carola Trier and Robert Fitzgerald also had Bench Mats in their studios
He created a chart of Bench Mat exercises that included images, instructions, the purpose of the exercises, and breathing.
He archived many more exercises on the Bench Mat not shown on the chart
The Bench Mat is an apparatus, and Joe referred to it as such
the original foldable, home mat made by Joseph Pilates is owned by Elena Bartley and was loaned to Pilates at The Pillow to display for the Spring 2019 conference
Joseph Pilates’ original plaque is found on the mat to prove its authenticity
the unique dimensions and padding of the mat enhances and improves the quality of mat workout
The original Bednasiums are owned by Sean Gallagher at Joe’s Original Studio in Becket, MA
Joe advertised the Bednasium in both paid advertisements as well as in detailed brochures that showed pictures and contained detailed information
He also archived its use in photos and on film, as well as created a child size Bednasium and even a V-bed for a cat
Pilates at The Pillow attendees have the opportunity to try the Bednasium using replicas of springs that are the same tension as what Joe used and taught on
Link is for the Original Joe Springs as used on the Bednasium shown here (the Bednasium itself is not for sale).
Joe documented how to use the Toe Corrector, Neck Stretcher, and Hand Tensometer in both photographs and on film. For the first time in pilates history, Pilates at The Pillow™ Fall 2019 attendees will view Joe’s archival film footage of how to use all three of these apparatuses.
The Pilates Source® brings you the original spring tensions and mechanisms on these apparatus, previously totally unknown to the pilates community. These differences make for an experience of greater depth and more profound connections to the powerhouse than possible with the standard spring tensions otherwise commercially offered throughout the pilates community.
Link coming soon.
Pilates at The Pillow™ marked the debut of the Pilates Lineage Magic Circle: replicated from an original, this magic circle is the most authentic and effective Magic Circle on the market today.