CONTROLOGY: The Art & Science of Pilates
PRESENTERS
Simona Cipriani
Simona Cipriani directs authentic Pilates studio, The Art of Control®. She is a Teacher/ Trainer with the USPA, and a Certified Instructor of the Authentic Pilates Method for more than 18 years. Ms. Cipriani studied extensively with Romana Kryzanowska at Drago’s Gym in New York City, where she taught by Romana’s side for many years. A former dancer for more than thirty-five years, Ms. Cipriani started performing professionally at the age of fourteen in Italy, and continued to dance throughout Europe and the United States. Ms. Cipriani has worked with many dancers, athletes and movie actors such as Glenn Close, and others in the Westchester and Connecticut area for the past 18 years. She also concentrates on ballroom dance, participating frequently in competitions, and consistently places as champion. Ms. Cipriani has studied at Juliard and holds a B.F.A. in Dance from SUNY at Purchase, and has been a faculty member of SUNY Purchase since 2006. She is a licensed massage therapist in Connecticut and New York State. Ms. Cipriani was a member of the massage therapy team at the Olympics in the Athens Summer Games in 2004, and the Torino Winter Games in 2006. She was also the massage therapist for director Darren Aronofsky during the production of “Black Swan.” Ms. Cipriani has co-written two articles with Dr. Joseph E. Muscolino on Pilates that have been published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies and co-written three articles with Dr. Muscolino for Pilates Style Magazine. Ms. Cipriani has been a Feldenkrais practitioner since 2009 as well as a graduate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City in July 2009 as a Health Counselor. Currently she is traveling throughout the USA, Europe and Australia to teach seminars and host workshops. She is a member of the AMTA, FENA, NCBTMB and APU.
Jay Grimes
Jay Grimes began his studies with Joe Pilates in the mid-sixties, and after Joe’s death continued with Joe’s wife, Clara, for another 10 years until her death. Jay began teaching in the original 8th Ave studio in New York and has since taught all over the world. Jay danced professionally, ballet and Broadway for 18 years, and never had an injury. This he attributes entirely to Pilates. Jay is valued in the Pilates community for his experience, humility and integrity in maintaining the work of Joe Pilates. Over the years Jay’s clients have ranged from stars of Broadway and Hollywood, music and opera, to politicians, businessmen and housewives, and Olympic athletes. He currently provides ongoing training to instructors, conducting workshops and master classes around the world.
Peter Fiasca
Peter’s devotion with Pilates began in 1988, when he took his first class at Wee-Tai Hom’s studio in Manhattan. As his passion grew, he pursued teacher training at Drago’s Gym, receiving certification in 1998 from master teacher Romana Krzyanowska. Over the years, he honed his teaching and his practice with regular lessons from Romana, as well as from master trainers Jay Grimes, Kathy Grant, and other distinguished, traditional instructors. Peter continues to study the work and has dedicated himself to the preservation of the Pilates method, creating the www.ClassicalPilates.networldwide directory of traditional instructors. Producer and director of the award-winning Classical Pilates Technique series of six DVDs and author of the critically reviewed companion book, Discovering Pure Classical Pilates, he has been a frequent guest instructor at training centers throughout the U.S., Europe, and South America. He appeared in Romana Kryzanowska’s first commercial DVD project, demonstrating the Pilates Mat workout, as well as the DVD titled “Jay Grimes Revealed,” with master teacher Jay Grimes.
Dr. Joseph E. Muscolino
Dr. Joseph Muscolino is a licensed chiropractic physician and had been teaching musculoskeletal and visceral anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, and palpation and assessment courses for 24 years. Dr. Muscolino also runs numerous advanced study workshops, including those on deep tissue, body mechanics, stretching, joint mobilization, and Anatomy in Clay®; cadaver labs; and in-services for instructors of manual and movement therapies. He has now introduced CE Home Study courses on muscle and bone palpation, kinesiology, and the muscular system. Dr. Muscolino has written extensively about manual and movement therapies and is the author of numerous articles and textbooks, including The Muscle and Bone Palpation Manual, The Muscular System Manual, and Kinesiology. He currently teaches anatomy and physiology at Purchase College, SUNY. Visit his website www.learnmuscles.com.
Kathi Ross-Nash
Kathi began her Pilates training in 1979, under the tutelage of Rual Gelabert. She has had the privilege to be trained by Romana Kryzanowska, Kathy Grant, Sari Meja Santos, Jay Grime & Edwina Fontaine, and all first generation teachers. Kathryn Ross-Nash is not only a certified Romana’s Pilates Level 2 Trainer, but also certified through the Pilates Studio, the Traditional Pilates Guild, AFTA, IFFA and is a Guild Certified Feldenkras Practitioner. Kathi was principle dancer for ten years with Ballet Hispanico of NY, and often returns to restage ballets. She also holds a second-degree black belt in Te Kwon Do and an undefeated AUU sparring record. Kathi has worked side by side with Romana for many years. She has demonstrated the Advanced work for her at workshops and seminars throughout the US and also is the only woman to demonstrate on both the Romana’s Pilates Mat DVD ‘s and the Legacy Series. Romana is quoted about Ms. Ross-Nash” that her work is like ice cream” and that she is one of her best, her “star of stars”. Kathi appeared with Romana in Pilates Style magazine to demonstrate the authentic work. As well as the Premere issue of Pilates Style Magazine and every year after that. Kathi was also handpicked by Romana to sit at her right hand as Vice-president of the Traditional Pilates Guild.
Brooke Siler
Brooke Siler spent a decade training under Joseph Pilates’ protégée and chosen successor Romana Kryzanowska from 1994 – 2004. She opened her award-winning studio, re:AB Pilates, in 1997 and was quickly embraced by Hollywood’s A-list. Brooke has remained at the forefront of the Pilates community and remains passionate and authentic in her work. Brooke is author of the New York Times’ best-seller The Pilates Body, The Pilates Body Kit, Your Ultimate Pilates Body Challenge and DVD title Pilates for Weight Loss. Her newly re-established teacher training program has been voted the “Gold Standard” by Time Out Magazine. www.reabnyc.com.
Alycea Ungaro
Alycea Ungaro, P.T. opened her first studio, Tribeca Bodyworks in 1995. Alycea attended New York University’s prestigious Physical Therapy program to become a licensed physical therapist in 1998. Alycea released the innovative Portable Pilates™, an easy-to-use at-home mat workout. She authored Pilates: Body in Motion for DK Publishing in 2002, and launched her third title, “The Pilates Promise” in April 2004. In 2003, Alycea partnered with Mobile Mind, Inc. to launch a digital version of Portable Pilates™. This go-anywhere mini-workout, designed to run on a cell phone, has again broadened Pilates accessibility. In addition to serving on the advisory board of Fitness Magazine, Alycea also travels widely as a guest teacher hosting retreats at world-famous location. She has trained scores of celebrites such as Madonna, Uma Thurman, Kyra Sedgewick, Claire Danes, Molly Sims, and Sarah Michelle Geller. Together with long-time client Christy Turlington, Alycea collaborated on a Pilates Booty for Puma. In the winter of 2008 Alycea released her first DVD “15 Minute Everyday Pilates” converted into a Vook – a video book and is available for iPhones and iPads. Earlier this year, Alycea released her first Pilates prop, the Real Alignment Mat. The Pilates Practice Companion, Alycea’s largest Pilates book yet will be officially released in bookstores in January 2011.
MeJo Wiggin
MeJo Wiggin began her extensive study of Pilates with Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska in 1990, and began teaching next to her in 1995 at Drago’s Gym in New York. Today with 20 years of experience, and certified by Romana as her Teacher Trainer, she is a full- fledged Pilates Guru with an international reputation. Considered in the industry as one of Romana’s protégés, MeJo is recognized as one of the leading Master Teachers and Practitioner in the world. She has earned many appearances on National Television and has been written up in numerous publications for her expertise in Pilates. In addition, MeJo is featured artist in over six DVD’s, including the “Romana’s Pilates Mat” series, “Pilates Revealed with Jay Grimes” and “Romana on Pilates: The Legacy Edition”. She also hosted and produced her own videos “20 Minutes, Twice a Week” and “The Gratz Armchair”. She has been sought after for teaching seminars and giving personal demonstrations at Pilates Training Centers throughout the US, Europe, and Russia. In 1996 MeJo opened the first fully equipped Pilates Studio Connecticut. For 13 years she taught many teachers, celebrities, professional athletes, and supermodels. In addition, MeJo applied the Method to students suffering with various injuries and chronic pain. Many students worked with MeJo to help rehabilitate back pain, shoulder injuries, hip replacements, knee injuries, scoliosis, and many other ailments. She quickly gained popularity, and soon doctors from New York Hospital for Special Surgery were referring their patients to MeJo in order to rehabilitate them pre and post surgery. Today, MeJo is still a strong advocate and example of the Classical Pilates Method and teaches at three different Pilates Certification Centers in the US. She still teaches private sessions, but her mission is to teach and inspire Pilate’s instructors worldwide in the Classical Pilates Method.
Mari Winsor
Fitness expert Mari Winsor is widely credited with popularizing Pilates and making this once-obscure workout accessible to t he public at-large. In 1990, Mari opened her first Pilate’s studio in Los Angeles, and introduced her innovative signature workout, “dynamic sequencing,” based on techniques developed by Joseph Pilates. Soon after, the highly visible bodies of musicians, professional athletes, and celebrities began to flock to her studio to be shaped, toned, and strengthened. Eager to learn as much as she possible could about Pilates, in 1992, Mari began studying with Romana Kryzanowska, who trained with Joseph Pilates and took over his New York studio upon his death. After one year of intense study, Mari earned her certification in the true technique of Joseph Pilates. Mari continues to study with Romana to this day. In 2003, Mari brought Pilates to a new level of public recognition when she released her first infomercial. The record-breaking success of the Winsor Pilate’s workout series and award-winning infomercials was unparalleled. Thirty videos later and over 50 million programs sold, Mari’s groundbreaking dynamic workouts have helped millions of Americans get the body they want making Winsor Pilates a household name. Committed to sharing her knowledge and experience with the public, Mari has created an Online Winsor Pilates Fitness Club. She has co-authored three books: The Pilates Powerhouse; The Pilates Pregnancy: Maintaining Strength, Flexibility and Your Figure; and The Pilates Workout Journal: An Exercise Diary and Conditioning Guide. Mari’s fitness expertise has been featured in countless magazines such as: Allure, Glamour, Fit Pregnancy, Health, In Style, More, Redbook, Shape, Vogue, W, and Woman’s World. Now the owner of two Winsor Pilates studios and with a continuous roster of A-list clients that includes Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth Berkeley, Minnie Driver, Daisy Fuentes, Jasmine Guy, Jewel, Melanie Griffith, Meg Ryan, Sharon Stone, Marisa Tomei, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Dita Von Tees, Mari remains the most sought-after trainer in Hollywood and a celebrity in the world of health and fitness.
Michelle Larson
Michele Larsson, founder of Core Dynamics Pilates in Santa Fe, has over 40 years of experience teaching fitness, movement, dance and rehabilitation. She is a former dancer and choreographer who trained at the Julliard School of Music in New York City, and received a B.A. in Holistic Health and Dance Theater from Antioch College in 1981. Eve Gentry traditionally trained Larsson in Pilates during an intensive apprenticeship in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Larsson then worked with Eve Gentry for nine years prior to the founding of the Institute for the Pilates Method in June 1991 where she served as the Director of Training. Michele then established Core Dynamics Inc. in 1996, a teacher training organization and Santa Fe, NM Pilates studio. In addition to the teacher training workshops, Michele offers continuing education and advanced workshops around the globe. Over the years Michele has taken workshops from other master teachers, including Carola Trier, Bruce King, Kathleen Stanford-Grant and Ron Fletcher. She continues to travel internationally providing workshops and seminars on special topics, traditional Pilates and the Eve Gentry technique. Michele maintains a diverse local clientele at the Santa Fe studio teaching athletes, post injury/special needs individuals and other Pilate’s teachers.
Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson holds certificates in Pilates from Kim Lee and Romana Kryzanowska. Michael has been teaching for 15 years and is recognized for his motivational teaching style and straight forward approach. Michael lives and teaches in New York, where he continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives through exercise and the power of the mind body connection. His philosophy on Pilates is that they must be an integral part of everyday life.
Shari Berkowitz
A biomechanics specialist and Pilates Teacher of Teachers, Shari works to move scientific theories forward into practical application. Through her company, The Vertical Workshop, Shari researches, writes The Pilates Teacher Blog, creates Pilates continuing education products/tools, teaches workshops and sessions. While Shari’s exercise vocabulary is Classical Pilates, her tools, workshops and sessions are for everyone of every style of Pilates and modality of exercise. Through originally Pilates certified by Romana Kryzanowska and formerly Power Pilate’s Lead Teacher Trainer and Director of West Coast Education, Shari’s teaching crosses all boundaries. Her varied backgrounp from a foundation of physics to her successful career as a professional dancer/singer/actress and extensive work with scientists, doctors and physical therapists gives her a rich base from which to teach. www.TheVerticalWorkshop.com | www.TheVerticalWorkshop.wordpress.com
Joseph Tatta, PT, OCS, CHT
Joseph Tatta, PT, OCS, CHT is cofounder of Premier Physical Therapy & Wellness one of the largest providers of outpatient physical therapy in the New York area with 12 locations. An Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Certified Pilates Instructor (Kryzanowska/Liekens) his professional experience encompasses providing physical therapy services for Broadway shows, ballet companies & athletes. He has lectured and certified health and fitness professionals on subjects including anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, injury prevention, Pilates and various wellness topics. In his spare time Joe enjoys outdoor activity of any kind and is an avid gymnast.
Dr. Drew DeMann, DC, CCSP, DACBSP, MA, FNP
Dr. DeMann is a healthcare specialist with a diverse background. He holds two bachelors degrees, a masters degree in Family Practice, a master’s degree in Orthopedic Biomechanics, a doctorate degree in Chiropractic, and a post-graduate degree in Sports Medicine. He is the director of the Manhattan Spine & Sports Medicine Center in New York.
Dr. DeMann’s past and present clinical affiliations are as diverse as his educational background. They include Postgraduate Professor at the New York Chiropractic College, Post Graduate Professor of Neurophysiology at Touro College, Member Board of Advisors Oxford Health Plans, Director of the Post Graduate Electrophysiology Program at the New York Chiropractic College and member of both the American Chiropractic Association and the American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians.
Experienced as both an accomplished lecturer and author, he received the recent distinction of being named for outstanding achievement in the “Who’s Who of American Professionals”. His publications have appeared in both lay magazines as well as professional journals including the prestigious international medical publication “Pain Management”. Dr. DeMann has appeared on both television and radio with his own syndicated weekly health talk show “Doctor on Call” and is listed as one of Fox Network’s “health authorities” having appeared on the nightly news several times.
Dr. DeMann enjoys a successful spine and sports medicine practice, working with members of professional teams such as The New York Rangers, The New York Knicks, The Indiana Pacers, The New York Mets, The New York Giants. He has worked with professional dancers from the New York City Ballet, the Martha Graham Dance Company and the American Ballet Theater. Additionally, he has been named doctor to several “on” and “off” Broadway shows.
Chuck Rapoport
Currently retired photojournalist. He worked for many publications from 1959 through 1972. His published photo-essays and photographs appeared in numerous issues of LIFE magazine and PARIS-MATCH, including the essays on ABERFAN, The Days After (the disaster) and The Detective, in LIFE magazine. The cover photo of Numero Historique of PARIS-MATCH, Nov. 1963 (the slaying and funeral of President Kennedy). More recently, he had a number of his exclusive, rare photographs of JOSEPH PILATES published in a number of current publications in Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Pilates Style, in the USA.
Rapoport has had several important photo-exhibitions of his work including photos of Samuel Beckett in the Pompidou Museum in Paris, and two other exhibitions of Paris – 1964 in Paris. His work has been exhibited in Los Angeles including Times Square: The Way it Was, photographs of New York’s Times Square in 1965. Recently, an exhibit LOVE showing a collection of his work through the years was displayed at Deyermond Books in Venice, California. Some of his iconic photos can be viewed at his website: www.rapo.com