A mind-body exercise system initially designed for men but largely taken up by women over the past century, is having a resurgence in the male population.

Joseph Pilates, a German soldier and nurse, was imprisoned in an internment camp in the Isle of Man during World War One when he designed an exercise programme for fellow inmates that he called ‘contrology’.

Moving to New York and opening a studio in the 1920s, he was introduced to Ted Shawn – widely considered one of the fathers of modern dance. It was through that connection that the new exercise regime was adopted by such dance luminaries as Martha Graham and became a way for dancers to recover from injuries.

A century later, former professional dancer and Best of Bermuda award-winning Pilates instructor Vehia Walker says the popularity of Pilates has come full circle as more men become interested in an exercise regime that combines movements on mats with machine exercises.

Mrs Walker operates Powerhaus Pilates from a studio in Bermudiana Arcade on Queen Street in Hamilton.

She said: “The main physical health benefit to men of practising Pilates is more flexibility. A lot of my male clients come because their lower back hurts or their hips are tight.

“I think it’s from sitting mostly, or it could be a sports injury, and they come because their doctor or physio says they should do Pilates so that they can have more flexibility and their core needs some work.

“In Pilates, we wouldn’t say ‘core’ necessarily. Joseph Pilates called it ‘the powerhouse’, hence the name of my studio: your powerhouse is your legs, your stomach, your butt and your back.

“Pilates is good for your body. It’s also very functional so you can use it in day-to-day life.”

However, she added: “The real benefits to me are the mental benefits – after a class, you feel accomplished, you feel happy. People come in and say, ‘I was having such a bad day, and I came in and moved my body and now I feel better’.

“I encourage men to take up Pilates because you only have one body and more people need to move their body in a safe, healthy way – and Pilates gives that to you.

“It complements almost anything else that you do. It strengthens the small muscles and stretches the big muscles and it’s a whole-body workout.”

The original name, contrology, hints at the underlying philosophy behind it all.

Mrs Walker said: “Pilates has six principles: control, concentration, centring, precision, breath and flow. Your whole workout is based around those six principles, with control being the biggest one.

“Classical Pilates encompasses actual moves that Joseph Pilates created. There are 34 mat exercises, or basic floor exercises, and I build my classes around that. I’m also comprehensively trained, so I can teach on any of the 26 pieces of equipment in Pilates, too.”

Mrs Walker, who studied at The Pilates Studio in New York after earning a degree in dance from the State University of New York at Purchase, teaches classes every day except Sunday at Powerhaus for clients ranging in age from 17 to 82.

They include runners, cyclists, golfers, triathletes, squash players and other individuals seeking a mind-body workout. The intensity level is tailored to the client.

She also teaches a Pilates class at noon on Saturdays at Treehouse Yoga Studio on Trott Road in Hamilton.

Mrs Walker said: “I tell men, ‘Don’t be afraid to do Pilates because there are women in the class and you might be the only man. Just try it – you may surprise yourself and really enjoy it.’”