Why I Disagree With This Joseph Pilates Quote
In our studio we have a small library of books that members are welcome to read and borrow.
One of my members was training with me yesterday, and her support worker was happily flicking through some of the books.
She pointed out a quote that I had highlighted in Joseph Pilates book "Pilates: Return to Life through Contrology" published in 1945:
"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness".
If you are involved in the Pilates world you would likely have seen this a few times.
When I originally highlighted this quote 12 years ago when I began training as a Pilates Teacher, I was marking it as a value to carry forward with me...something that I agreed with.
I don't agree with this statement anymore.
If we keep reading straight from the source it goes on to say...
"Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure."
After 12 years of working in the industry, plus expanding into the allied health industry, I now know that this statement is hugely ableist and exclusionary.
It tells us that the following people are not able to experience happiness...
those living with a physical disability
those living with an intellectual/learning disability
those that are unable to perform their activities of daily living
those living with chronic conditions that impact their fitness
those with non-uniform/asymmetrical bodies (that's everybody by the way - variation and asymmetrical bodies are normal)
Sorry, but I call bullshit
Now having worked with people across a huge spectrum of physical and communication abilities I find this unacceptable. I can feel myself getting heated even as I'm writing this.
When we look to our history, at what those before us have written, we need to look at it critically and ask....
Who does this exclude??
I LOVE the Pilates Method as an exercise system. Love practicing it. Love teaching it. Love talking about. Love learning about it.
But I can choose which parts of the value system that is embedded within it I carry forward.
I can appreciate the system, and the magic within it, without perpetuating dated and harmful narratives.
I give myself permission to change my mind. To learn more. To understand our world and our history with an expanded view.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this?
Have you felt a disconnect at all between the original writings and our expanding knowledge of inclusion and accessibility?
Do you give yourself permission to change your mind?
Let's keep the conversation going.