Since Joe had made such a remarkable impact with his Pilates training over the last decade several of his understudies went on to open their own studios.
Two former students, Carola Trier and Bob Seed were the first to open up their own studios. Joe had personally assisted Carola in opening her studio in the late 1950’s before his death. Carola was a dancer whom Joe helped rehabilitate from a non-stage related injury. They were very close up until his death. Bob Seed, on the other hand, was a former hockey player, and obviously still in dire need of a little competition. He went head to head with his once mentor, by scheduling his studio hours to coincide with Joe’s. The potential for Joe’s clients to be lured away by someone he had trained didn’t go over well. Apparently, a gun-wielding Joe put an end to that with a little visit to Mr. Seed, warning him to get out of the city. Which Mr. Seed did. And quickly!
While Clara continued to manage the original “Pilates” studio in New York City, students Bruce King and Robert Fitzgerald opened theirs in other parts of the city.
However, New York City was no longer the only place where you could study Pilates. The ever growing “mind-body concept” began to spread all across North America. Just months before Joe’s death in 1967, students Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel, were “certified” by Joe himself. They are considered to be the only Pilates instructors to do so. Lolita opened her own studio at the Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Eve Gentry, who studied as well as taught “at Joe’s”, opened her own studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mary Bowen opened her studio in Northampton, Massachusetts.
One past student in particular, Ron Fletcher, who studied under Joe to aide a chronic knee injury, opened his Los Angeles studio in 1970. The temperature of the social climate in Hollywood made Pilates an instant hit, falling right in step with the social elite and celebrities alike.
The 1980’s and 1990’s donned the era in which more and more people were made aware of Pilates. With the media abuzz, the newly founded exercise began to boom. Celebrities had set the trend for the practice and everyone else was following.
Today, Pilates has gained exponential popularity with all facets of the general public. It is no longer an exercise for the rich and famous, but has become widely accessible to people of all ages and origins. Ironically, what began in an infirmary at the peak of World War I has become a staple in the lifestyle-wellness of many Americans. Before Joe had passed away he is famous for having said, “I am fifty years ahead of my time”, this not only proved to be true but also set the powers-at-be in motion for the success and longevity of the study of Pilates.