November 10 1930 — January 2015
Lawrence Hayward
Photographer. Painter. Knitter. Author. Musician. Dancer. Just a few words to describe the remarkable human Canadian, Lawrence Hayward.
While dancing with Hanya Holm in NYC he was introduced to Joseph Pilates and began to study
the Original Method of Pilates, CONTROLOGY.
Dedicated to the life lessons and compassionate teachings of a original Contrologist, talented author, artist, dancer and passionate storyteller, Lawrence Hayward.
This is an ever expanding body of his inherited work shared openly by Lawrence’s longtime friend and his apprentice, Dale Matzkow, beneficiary to the Lawrence (Larry) Hayward estate and trust, as well as his family, friends and local community members.
His legacy.
Initially only planning to visit a few weeks, at Joes request, he became his personal apprentice and teacher. He was housed with Joseph and Clara Pilates in the NYC studio and Becket NY studio from December 1959 through April 1960, teaching and learning daily along side Joseph and Clara Pilates then sleeping on the floor mats nightly. With little more than a small heater to warm himself, he photographed, traced, measured the equipment and archived it all at Joes request as part of his studies. Realizing Lawrence’s dedication and passion for the work, Joseph Pilates personally asked him to:
“Carry on in my footsteps and teach Contrology to the rest of the world.”
Staying on course.
Keeping true to his promise, Lawrence continued teaching Contrology in his own private practice in NYC for an additional 5 years while embracing the museums and city life offered to him.
He continued selling his paintings and various small watercolors to his private clients and tourists before returning to Canada to introduce Contrology to dancers at the National School of Ballet in Toronto and “regular Joes” in his own community of Kingston Ontario and surrounding areas.
Always a student of life and learning, Lawrence continued to study and became a licensed shiatsu massage therapist and authored 33 books on Canadian Sculptures alone. Passionate about the community in which he lived, he volunteered “wherever he was most needed.”
Later in life, Lawrence could always be found writing poetry, visiting neighbors and selling his handmade tinctures, salves and knitted goods at the local market.
