The elders of Pilates
Some of the original students of Joseph Pilates are still practicing today! The following five Pilates instructors are Joseph's most famous students and his most loyal disciples: Romana Kryzanowska, Mary Bowen, Ron Fletcher, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
 Romana Kryzanowska Romana Kryzanowska - A former professional ballet dancer, who originally went to Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate an injured ankle. She later returned to the studio, where she trained with both Joseph and his wife, and remained with the studio to teach the Pilates philosophy. Both she and her daughter still train Classical Pilates instruction.
 Mary Bowen Mary Bowen was a musical performer with a bad back in 1959 when she started training with Joseph Pilates. Her back improved after two sessions, but Mary found her life calling. She continues training and holding Pilate workshops through her studios in Connecticut and New England.
 Ron Fletcher Ron Fletcher was a dancer who came to Pilates because of a bad knee. Even during a lucrative career as a dancer and choreographer, Fletcher met with Pilates on a regular basis. Following a crossroads in his life, he was inspired by Clara (Joseph's wife) to run his own Pilates studio. He made some adjustments to the method since his studio opened in 1971. He is credited with developing the West Coast school of Pilates and continues training instructors to this day.
 Kathy Grant Kathy Grant was an accomplished dancer and now works full time in the Department of Dance at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. She and Lolita San Miguel are the two people that were actually given a degree in Pilates by Joseph himself through a federally subsidized program of the New York State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. She taught at Carola Trier's studio and later managed the Pilates Studio in the now famous Henri Bendel's Department Store. Ms. Grant is a respected First Generation Teacher of the Pilates Method Alliance.
 Lolita San Miguel Lolita San Miguel is the other person personally certified as an instructor by Joseph Pilates himself. One of Puerto Rico's leading cultural figures, she had a distinguished career as a ballerina, educator, choreographer and director. Ms San Miguel was trained by Joseph H. Pilates during the 60's. She recently founded Pilates Y Mas Inc., studio for the purpose of teaching, training, and certifying professionals in the Pilates method. Ms. San Miguel is a respected First Generation Teacher of the Pilates Method.
The original Pilates instructors all came from different walks of life. What they shared in common however was the way the Pilates Method had changed their life for the better. They then devoted their life to make the same difference in other people's lives.
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