Prior to social media, YouTube, and the internet, Pilates attracted dedicated practitioners known only by word of mouth to a fortunate few. Motivated by fascination with the complexities of motor control, these practitioners customized environments for their clients to fulfill goals, or for professional requirements, and quality of life. The brilliant Jean Claude West stands out among these movement professionals drawn to Pilates. His inventions shaped dance medicine and Pilates rehabilitation beginning in the nineteen eighties. Four decades later, few Pilates enthusiasts realize that the equipment they rely on in their daily practice came from his innovations.
In 1989, Jean Claude West and his professional partner and wife Anna Schmitz welcomed Ken Endelman, Founder and CEO of Balanced Body (formerly Current Concepts) and I to their live-work loft on Bleeker Street in New York City. The purpose of our visit was an introduction to the Bio-mechanical Asymmetry Corrector (BAC). Jean-Claude in collaboration with dance medicine physical therapist Katy Keller, had designed and built a unique movement environment to restore normal mechanics of the spine and pelvis for professional dancers. In one unique construction Jean-Claude introduced three prototypes: Rotator Discs, the Proprioception T-Bar and Functional Footprints.
During this same business trip Ken met Marika Molnar, physical therapist at New York City Ballet, Dance Medicine founder and colleague of Jean-Claude and Anna. Ken was introduced to their use of “Lazy Susan” for hip rotation. Marika suggested attaching rotator discs to the Universal Reformer jump board using Velcro®. This led to Balanced Body manufacturing rotator discs. Jean-Claude and Ken shared enthusiasm for designing and building innovative equipment that served Pilates teachers eager to improve experiences for clients and customers.
The following two paragraphs are from the book Pilates Applications for Health Conditions, co-edited by Madeline Black and Elizabeth Larkam, Handspring Publishing 2025. Chapter 2, Pilates Movement and Applications in Healthcare:
‘Jean-Claude West, MS in Motor Learning, Columbia University, was the first to develop a private practice in New York City that integrated Pilates movement and customized apparatus with strength training and manual techniques learned from Rolfer author Louis Shultz (1996). Jean-Claude and Anna Schmitz developed close professional relationships with Pilates teachers Kathy Grant, Bruce King and Eve Gentry (1983 – 1989). Professional dancers and noted artists flocked to their loft studio on Bleeker Street for individual sessions with Jean-Claude and Anna.
Jean-Claude West was prolific in the engineering and construction of movement apparatus that evolved from and went beyond the original designs of Pilates equipment. In 1986 he built all the Pilates apparatus for his Bleecker Street studio using high-density foam upholstery to provide proprioceptive stimulation. Jean-Claude introduced Lazy Susan hardware for standing hip rotation in 1987. In 1988 he developed a prototype placing rotator discs on independent sliding platforms with spring resistance adjacent to a ballet barre. He used this training environment to refine dancer technique. Jean-Claude explored other inventions such as a plexiglass jump board to show foot loading and ground reaction forces (1990) and a Tee-Bar mounted on the Pilates Universal Reformer for leg biases (1991). Jean-Claude continued his innovations designing and engineering the JC5600 in 1990. This first four-in-one portable Pilates equipment combination could be assembled in 30 minutes. Jean-Claude developed the JC5600 for White Oak Project, founded by Mark Morris and Mikhail Baryshnikov, so he could provide sessions for the touring dancers (West 2023). Jean-Claude and Katy Keller, physical therapist, co-developed the Biomechanical Asymmetry Corrector (BAC). Their presentation of this comprehensive movement environment at the 1992 International Association for Dance Medicine & Science conference demonstrated a uniquely effective approach for managing scoliosis and spinal asymmetries. The modular design of BAC included the Functional Footprints (Keller and West 1995).’
K. Keller and J.C. West published an article in Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Volume 5, Number 3, July 1995. Excerpts from their article follow:
‘Treatment strategies utilizing the BAC offer a comprehensive approach to addressing disturbed function of the locomotor system while restoring the mobility, stability, control and adaptive mechanics that dancers need to pursue the aesthetics of their art form in a non-injurious manner.
The inspiration for the design of the BAC and development of the exercise progression derives from Rudolph Klapp and Yves Cotrel’s early contributions to the treatment of scoliosis. In 1904, Klapp introduced an approach to corrective exercise for rotoscoliosis based on principles of movement localization and coupling mechanics for derotation. In the 1970’s Dr. Yves Cotrel elaborated on this approach to scoliosis curve correction with a combination of exercises and traction based on the principles of elongation, derotation and lateral flexion known as EDF. Directed breathing techniques are utilized in conjunction with the exercises. The Klapp & Cotrel treatment concepts of movement localization, directed breathing and corrective coupling mechanics are incorporated into the BAC program. Indeed, the BAC was initially conceived of in 1992 for selective use with the scoliotic dance patient population.’
Functional Footprints have the unique ability to calibrate hip rotation with balanced weight bearing on the forefoot and rear foot. Over the past 35 years Functional Footprints have been used beyond dance for sports-specific and rehabilitation applications.
Functional Footprints excel among the vast array of tools available for integrated calibration of precise movement of the foot, leg, pelvis and torso. The swivel design accurately places the axis of rotation at the hip. The degree indicator informs the practitioner of asymmetries of hip external and internal rotation. The tip mechanism challenges the client to balance weight bearing on the forefoot and rearfoot.
By integrating the kinetic chain from the foot through the pelvis and upper spine, Functional Footprints can teach anyone how to organize movement of the foot, ankle, and hip. This innovative product teaches every client to improve alignment, strength, symmetry and balance in easy-to-follow, sequenced progression.
I use the Functional Footprints with clients daily in my studio practice, integrating them with Reformers, Chairs, Barrels, Trapeze Table, Core Align, the rotator discs, proprioception T bar, Oov® and Balansit®, The precise movement feedback of the Functional Footprints immediately captures the attention of every client, exposing asymmetries in rotation and inequalities in weight bearing on forefoot and rear foot.
Today Group Pilates Reformer classes, augmented by small props attract enthusiasts throughout the world. These classes have the potential to deliver healthy, effective, engaging, intelligent movement experiences. Pilates teachers are fortunate to access the sophisticated equipment innovations and teaching techniques created by Jean-Claude West four decades ago.
This Spring, Jean Claude is hosting his Functional Footprints Virtual Workshop. Email jeanclaudewest@gmail.com to register.
Elizabeth Larkam, NCPT, authored Fascia in Motion (Handspring, 2017). The Medal of The Danish Society of Military Medicine was awarded in recognition of her efforts to improve rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. An international movement educator for four decades, Elizabeth designs Pilates programs for orthopedic, spine, chronic pain and neurological conditions. She lectured in Exercise and Sports Science at University of San Francisco and in Dance at San Francisco State University. ELARKAM Movement Systems and her private practice are based in Georgetown, Texas.
