Joseph Pilates, the founder of the Pilates method, not only developed the technique but also taught it to numerous students, many of whom went on to become Pilates instructors themselves. This resulted in the widespread popularity and dissemination of the Pilates method. Here is a collection of articles and advertisements that highlight some of these Pilates instructors who helped to spread Joseph Pilates’ work.
Virginia Butterfield
At this point I do not know much about Virginia Butterfield other than what this article states, but stay tuned for more information as its uncovered. What is obvious is that she learned Contrology either as a student or was trained to be a teacher. Image first shared February 18, 2021.
John Winters
John Winters was a Pilates Elder who taught at Joe and Clara’s original 939 Studio in NYC as well as with Clara and Romana after Joe died. Image shared on 6/1/21.
Robert Fitzgerald
Robert Fitzgerald was a student of both Carola Trier and Joseph Pilates. He also had his own studio in New York City. Image first shared on 2/18/23.
Jerome Andrews
Jerome Andrews was a student of Joseph Pilates and brought the pilates method to Paris. Image first shared on 2/18/23.
Bertha Fried
Bertha Fried was an early assistant to Joe Pilates and continued to teach Contrology for a period of time. Images first shared on 2/18/23.
Halina Lutomski
Through the research of Cathy Strack, we have learned a bit more about lost Contrology teacher, Halina Lutomski. In fact, Cathy even spoke with her son about her. According to him, his mother met Joe Pilates in the early 1950s in NYC. His parents also went to Jacob’s Pillow. They were friends with Joe for many years and Joe trained her and gave her permission to teach his method. She closed her studio in 1995 and they sold some of the equipment and got rid of the rest. Images first shared February 18, 2023.
Image first shared February 18, 2023.
Image first shared February 18, 2021.
Anita Hayes Kelley
Anita Hayes Kelley was a teacher of Contrology in the early 1940’s. Not much is currently known about her, other than that she taught health lectures around the country on diet and exercise, which included “The art and science of Contrology (balance of body and mind)”. As more research uncovers details, I’ll continue posting. Notably, she is the first black woman in history to have taught Contrology that I’m aware of. Image first shared March 4, 2021.
There is evidence that she travelled to New York City from California, which shows that it’s possible that she also took lessons from Joe and/or Clara on her visits. Image first shared March 4, 2021.
Merrilee Smith
Merrilee Smith was a teacher at the Atlanta Ballet and is shown in this article as “supervising” someone on the reformer. Image first shared March 4, 2021.
Unknown Instructors
Sometimes ads don’t mention who the teacher is, just that Contrology was taught there. These ads are from the 1980’s. Image first shared March 4, 2021.
