No other fitness modality rivals Pilates.
Little did I know when I registered for Dana Santi’s Classical Pilates
ponference several years ago that it would change my life forever f
was my first time working out on Cratz apparatus, and it was my Mist
lesson with lay Grimes: What a shock when I was suddenly unable»t
execule exereises I previously thought I had mastered. The realization
hit me; my muscular connection to exercises was all wrong. My men.
tal focus was all wrong. My understanding of how and where to begin
each movement was all wrong. Although I had learned some theory,
in retrospect, it seemed incomplete. And without the right apparatus,
it was impossible to do the traditional work or experience the real
benefits of Joe Pilates’ traditional system. I was hooked! I knew this
was what I had to continue doing. So I attended Classical Pilates con-
ferences and studied with classically trained teachers. And I purchased
a Gratz Reformer and Wunda Chair, eventually equipping a complete
Gratz studio. I am committed to learning the Traditional Pilates tech-
nique, the best way to achieve optimal physical conditioning.
My fascination with the authentic work began the moment I saw
Kathryn Ross-Nash and Peter Fiasca execute advanced Pilates moves
seemingly effortlessly on the Classical Pilates Technique DVDs.
Already certified to teach Pilates by Peak, I still knew relatively little
about the history of Joe Pilates, the lineage of teachers who trained
with the master, and the historically accurate technique. The order of
the exercises was similar, yet what I had learned just wasn’t the real
work. I had to relearn everything. Everything. The process was almost
like starting from scratch. Had I started with the classical work, I
would have progressed considerably faster. But for the last six years,
Jay Grimes, Kathi Ross-Nash, Broke Siler, Chris Robinson, Dana
Santi, Peter Fiasca, Ernesto Reynoso, and Dorothee Vande Walle have
guided me on this journey; they have shown me and taught me the his
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