b'Pilates in Finland began in a small way in the late 1980s when dancers Sinikka Gripenberg and Pirkko Ahjo went to the UK and found a willing Pilates instructor, Christine Hocking, to come to Helsinki and teach a workshop. Although it didnt cause much of a stir at the time, it provided the blueprint for what was to come two decades later.I was the Finnish Olympic Team and National Ballet physiotherapist, and lived in California from 19962000. While there, I was trained in Pilates by incredible instructors like Jennifer Stacey, Madeline Black and Elizabeth Larkam. I met and became friends with Balanced Body CEO Ken Endelman and even got to visit the plant in Sacramento!When I returned to Finland in 2000, I was introduced to Marja Putkisto, a Finnish Pilates instructor residing in London and continued my training there. Together, we started a Pilates training mat program (as there was no Pilates equipment in the country at the time). Then Leena Rouhiainen, who had a PhD in Dance Science and was Pilates-trained, joined us as a teacher. In 2003, the very first Pilates studio opened in Helsinki with a BB Reformer, Cadillac, Ped-O-Pul, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and more.In addition, since I was involved with dance medicine and The Finnish National Opera and Ballet school, I introduced Pilates classes to Ballet dancers in 2000. The classes have continued there ever since with Nina Pastel. This is an important point because the Finnish connection between Pilates and sport has also evolved and grown year after year.FINLANDDESTINATION PILATES:By Jarmo AhonenPhysiotherapist, Pilates Educator, Eight Time Olympian60 pilates.com'