Pilates Day in Mönchengladbach

It’s no secret that Joseph Pilates was born in a small town in Germany and spent his childhood there.

These days that town is a place where the annual Pilates Day is celebrated. It all happens thanks to one of the first generation teachers, faithful disciple and wise mentor - and just amazing woman - Lolita San Miguel. The history was as follows.

About five years ago this Pilates diva received a letter from an unknown Pilates system admirer from Germany - Claudia. She wrote in her letter that she would very much like to come to Lolita to study, but her life circumstances do not allow her to do so. However, she desperately wanted to meet Lolita and was ready to do everything to organize her arrival in Dusseldorf. Lolita has long wanted to visit the homeland of her brilliant teacher, and when she learned that Mönchengladbach was a 20-minute drive from Düsseldorf, she agreed to come without hesitation.

Soon Lolita was walking along the streets of this typical German town, with its well-kept houses and gardens, endless cafes, down the cobbled Main Street and she "felt his presence".

 "I could smell it. His spirit is here," Lolita thought to herself and was slightly afraid that she might had gone mad.

Later, when she walked around the city with Kathy Corey (her friend and colleague), she frankly exchanged this "strange feeling of his presence" and realized that there were at least two "weirdo’s”.

Since then it has become Lolita’s life mission to establish a memorial in honor of Joseph Pilates on the very spot where the house in which he was born and raised stood. The path was not easy, but finally the memorial was installed. Every year in early May people who are passionate about Pilates are coming to the "Pilates Day” Conference (2013 was the third year in a row).  They are walking the streets of his childhood, spend evenings in cafes directly opposite the memorial , drinking wine for Joe’s health and, as Lolita dreamed, gratefully pronounce passing the plaque: "Hi, Joe!"

The conference in Mönchengladbach is not only a romantic walk for socializing with like-minded people in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The event has its own special spirit. Unlike many other international events that have the creation motive of commerce, prestige, etc., the home of Joseph Pilates gathered enthusiasts who responded to Lolita’s invitation to come and work for free. Among them are Alan Herdman, Kathy Corey, leading representatives of many well-known Pilates schools like BASI, and many others.

All these people are very much in demand all over the world, and the list of invitees was much wider, but they considered it their duty to come here to this "not promoted" place and show their gratitude to the creator of the system. The wave of popularity for the system has swept the globe, as Joseph dreamed it would.

That is why inspiration and such a special family atmosphere reigned in all the halls of the Congress. One can feel honor for today's Pilates masters and the warmth of their paternal care about each participant who managed to get here.

Such events are rare today. In the atmosphere where knowledge is carefully preserved and multiplied and transmitted from teacher to student, you really can learn a lot.

Every morning started with a meeting at the central city hall with its high walls supporting the great green dome. Then members of the Congress wandered from one room of interest to another, after which they had dinner at a local café.

The day continued in active learning, interviews and practice until it gradually moved into the evening cafes where people continued to talk, talk, and talk about ... Pilates. There was much enjoyment for each participant in the groups where there was no separation for presenters and students. You could  pass Joe’s plaque, nod and say "hello"!

In the evening when all the company went to the restaurant and Lolita came to the hall, all greeted her standing, and there was thunderous applause that rightfully accompany this brilliant woman all her life.

I have seen a lot of unusual things during these days: Alan Herdman making notes while listening to his students, and Brad Howard receiving recommendations from mentors who came to his class, and even Lolita in Alan’s master class. Brad’s wonderful lecture on Pilates archival materials was like watching a family album. The event ended with a round table where participants shared their wisdom and their attitude to Pilates.

I think that anyone who teaches Pilates would benefit from visiting this town at least once in his or her life.

It is definitely a place to return again and again!

Author: Kateryna Smirnova