Other Contrology Teachers | Pilates History Research

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.

Robert Fitzgerald and Alberto Vecchio at The Kenneth Beauty Salon Studio

Another Pilates History Research Archive™ Discovery!

In 1965, Joseph Pilates opened a pilates studio inside the famous, cutting edge Henri Bendel Department store in New York City. It was located next to the salon on the top floor. 

Through my research I discovered another pilates studio in New York City that was open in the 1960s BEFORE the Henri Bendel’s studio! It was inside a different hair salon that was also very famous at the time, The Kenneth Beauty Salon.

Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Onassis were known to have their hair done by Kenneth, and this salon was very well publicized at the time. From these two grainy photos, we can see that this salon had at least a junior reformer that resembled the ones that Carola Trier had inside her studio, a small barrel, a Cadillac, and a raised mat. If you look carefully at the reformer, you’ll recognize the handles as the same ones that Carola used as well. 

One of these photos shows Robert Fitzgerald teaching on the reformer, and Alberto Vecchio teaching on a small barrel and raised floor mat. There appears to be some additional apparatus around him.

Its amazing to now know of another studio that during Joe’s lifetime that existed in NYC. Not only that, but this studio pre-dates the Henri Bendel studio as a studio that existed within someone else’s business and in conjunction with a salon.

While we know for sure that Joe Pilates directed the opening of the Bendel studio, its not clear if the Kenneth Salon studio had a direct connection to Joe. Perhaps these teachers opened a studio without him?

Either way, what a super cool research find! Enjoy!!

Images first shared on 2/3/24.

Robert Fitzgerald and Alberto Vecchio at The Kenneth Beauty Salon Studio
Robert Fitzgerald and Alberto Vecchio at The Kenneth Beauty Salon Studio
Robert Fitzgerald and Alberto Vecchio at The Kenneth Beauty Salon Studio

John Hayes O’Neill

John Hayes O’Neill attended Jacob’s Pillow in the 1940s, although he knew Ted Shawn well before that and even had him and his male dancers perform at his dance studio in the 1930s. John and the other teachers at his studio attended Jacob’s Pillow in the 1940s, which is possibly where they met and took classes with Joe Pilates. 

Not much else is known about O’Neill at this time. It is possible that he studied with Joe, and also possible that he obtained a copy of Return to Life and taught from what he read in the book. It is yet to be determined if O’Neill and Pilates crossed paths at Jacob’s Pillow or at any other time. Hopefully one day we will know more! Images first shared 12/5/24.

John Hayes O'Neill "Physical Fitness Classes for Men" Pilates History Archive article
John Hayes O'Neill "Return to Life" Pilates History Archive article

Lawrence Hayward

Lawrence Hayward worked as an assistant to Joe and Clara at the original pilates studio in 1957 until sometime in 1958. When he moved back to Canada, he continued to teach there. Images first shared on 2/18/24).

"Thanks for memories of past training: Lawrence Hayward pilates history archive article
"His fingertips perform magic on patients" Lawrence Hayward pilates history archive article

Unknown

This interesting ad was taken out in the 1970s, advertising Contrology classes at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance in Columbia, South Carolina.
Image first shared 11/25/23

Pilates Archive Advertisement for Contrology classes at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance in Columbia, South Carolina.

“Pilate your body” at Ilona’s School of Dance Arts in the early 1980’s in Arizona. Most interesting is the use of imagery from the cover of Joe’s book, Your Health Through Contrology.

Image first shared 11/25/23

Ilona's School of Dance Pilates History Archive Advertisement

This mysterious ad was published in 1960 and does not mention a name or location for “Contrology”. Hopefully I can find more about this in my research, although my guess is that this instance is not exactly the first in Canada since by this time Joe had been teaching his method in the US for 34 years.

Image first shared 12/5/24

Other Contrology Teacher Unknown "Reduce Naturally" pilates history archive

Rosendahl’s and Dorothy Alexander

A Pilates History Research Archive® First Find!

The oldest known gymnasium that incorporated the Pilates’ system and apparatus, other than Joe Pilates’ Studio: Rosendahl’s

I’m so excited to share my latest research that may change the collective understanding of the history of Pilates Studios that were opened during Joe’s lifetime. 

This original 1939 letter from Joseph Pilates (shown in part here) refers to a recent trip he took to Atlanta, Georgia and he mentions his system was introduced.

Previous research elsewhere has suggested that he was visiting Dorothy Alexander (of the Atlanta Ballet) in Atlanta and that it was with her that his system was being introduced.

However, my research shows that Ms. Alexander did not actually start the Atlanta Ballet until 1941- a full three years after Joe wrote this letter.

As we can see here in this article:

Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Letter from Joe Pilates 1939. Pilates History Archive.

Image first shared 11/20/23.

Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Article "Atlantans at University of Dance." Pilates History Archive.

Also stated in the above article, Atlanta dancers visited Jacob’s Pillow in the summer of 1941- and likely experienced Joe Pilates and Contrology there since that’s when Joe was getting his start in that location. 

Therefore, if the Atlanta Ballet did not yet exist then, where was Joe going in Atlanta to introduce his system in 1939? 

Through my research, I was able to uncover this lost article that was published just a few weeks before Joe’s dated letter, describing an Atlanta Gym called Rosendahl’s which featured the Pilates System.

Image first shared 11/20/23.

Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Article "It's Fun to Losr Pounds and Icnhes at Roendahl's." Pilates History Archive.

The article states:

Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Article "It's Fun to Lose Pound and Inches at Rosendahl's." Pilates History Archive.

Therefore, it appears that so far, the oldest outside of NY outside of Joe’s studio was Rosendahl’s in Atlanta as early as 1939, and not the Atlanta Ballet.

the oldest outside of NY outside of Joe’s studio

Images first shared 11/20/23.

This 1941 advertisement mentions a pilates studio in Atlanta in 1941- which was most likely Rosendahl’s, although it could also have been Dorothy Alexander at this point since it was the same year she likely met Joe in Massachusetts. Image first shared 11/20/23.

Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Advertisement "Perfect Body." Pilates History Archive.

Here are a few more advertisements for Rosendahl’s, all very close to the 1939 year that Joe wrote his letter and that the article was published.

Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Advertisement "An Invitation." Pilates History Archive.
Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Advertisement "Reduce or Gain." Pilates History Archive.
Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Advertisement "Reduce Now." Pilates History Archive.
Rosendahl's Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Advertisement "Reduce Gain or Keep Fit." Pilates History Archive.

Dorothy Alexander

After Dorothy Alexander started the Atlanta Ballet in 1941, she began teaching Contrology there sometime after.
Images first shared 11/20/23

Dorothy Alexander "Ballerinas to Rest by Studying in NY" Pilates History Archive
Dorothy Alexander "Exercises thru Rhythm" Pilates History Archive

In the previous article about the start of the Atlanta Ballet, a student named Rossie Gilmore is mentioned. In this early 1950’s early, she is reported to be a pilates teacher herself. Image first shared 11/20/23.

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.

Virginia-Butterfield-article-contrology-pro-rec-program

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.

pilates-history-archive-article-john-winters-pilates-method-teacher

Famous fashion photographer, Francis Scavullo, photographed Ron Fletcher and his student and was also a student himself at Joe’s original NYC studio. In this 1970s article snippet, Scavullo mentions that John Winters was his teacher. Although he suggests that he put John Winters into his book, he did not.

Also interestingly, the article pictures Scavullo uses a rowing machine in his house. Too bad its not a reformer!

Images first shared 11/25/23.

Francis Scavullo Photographer, article mention of John Winters.
Francis Scavullo Photographer on rowing machine, pilates history article.

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.

Robert Fitzgerald Dancers Keep Fit Article

Jerome Andrews

Jerome Andrews was a student of Joseph Pilates and brought the pilates method to Paris. Image first shared on 2/18/23.

Jerome Andrews Obituary
Jerome Andrews Obituary by Ann Brazel

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.

Bertha Fried Santa Rita Health Club Ad
Bertha Fried To Speak Article

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.

Halina Lutomski Ballet School Closes Article
Halina Lutomski Instructor Dancer Obituary
Body Talks Studio for Pilates Archive Ad

Image first shared February 18, 2023.

Frederick Rand Rogers ad for Contrology

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. 

Archive Article: Anita Hayes Kelley Lectures
Archive Article: Anita Hayes Kelley Lecture New York

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. 

Archive Article: Dr. Hayes Will Speak

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.

Merilee Smith pilates Archive article: When this Dancer Sins...

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.

Fitness Center Contrology ad

David Castellanos

This article from the 1980s is talking about the certification that Wei Tai Hom conducted during that time, which was on the matwork only. “The textbook on the method” mentioned in the article, is Gail Eisen and Philip Friedman’s book, “The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning,” available online. Images first shared March 31, 2021.

David Castellanos pilates archive article
David Castellanos pilates archive article

This article features Gail Eisen as a pilates clients and includes an interview with her. Image first shared March 26, 2021.

Gail Eisen pilates client archive article

A rare article from when Aris Isotoner owned The Pilates Studio. Interesting to note the term “Stretch-ercize.” Image first shared March 26, 2021.

Pilates stretch-ercize research archive article
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