Pilates oblique twist curl back position. Pilates is the physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates in Germany to rehabilitate soldiers returning from the First World War. Based on aerobics and yoga, the Pilates Principles are to condition the entire body through proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flowing movements. Today there are more than 13 million who practice the discipline regularly around the world.