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Testimonials

Tracy

I have had my eye on the Authentic Pilates™ for about 2 years now and I finally decided to take the plunge. I saw the Performer on QVC about 2 months ago and made the investment. The first time that I used it I thought, "is that it?" I wasn't sweating and I didn't feel any difference. But something said keep going. I am 33 years old and have suffered with chronic back pain and lack of flexibility in my hamstrings and back for about 16 years. I can not believe the flexibility that I have in my legs and back now. Today was the first time that I have been able to sit on the floor with my legs stretched out straight in front of me without my legs going numb and my tailbone getting sore. I was able to hold my back upright with little effort at all. Usually I would have to place both hands behind myself to actually prop myself up. I tried to explain to my husband what this machine has done for me in just two short months. He doesn't understand. He feels that it is just another expensive piece of equipment that will go to waste in a few months. I hope that I can prove him wrong. I am about ready to progress to the intermediate tape, but first I have to purchase the box and wand. I really want to concentrate on the technique and practice good form before I move too fast. More and more I am hearing a lot of celebrities are using it and I also saw some references to the Authentic Pilates™ in the Fitness magazine that I subscribe to. That just confirms for me that I have made the right decision to incorporate this into my exercise regime.
 

Kathleen Loeks - Certified Instructor

"In the fall of 1990, I had a near fatal sun stroke which left my upper chest muscles unable to function. I was labeled permanently disabled by medical doctors with little hope for a full recovery. I began Physical Therapy in the spring of 1991 and made little progress. I was able to drive a car again and work slowly. I began taking lessons in 1991 at the Pilates Institute of Santa Fe.

I quickly began to improve. I was able to bend over, began to be able to walk faster and started to be able to lift 1lb weights. About 6 months into my private lessons my progress seemed to stop. I was happy not to regress, but I thought it was impossible to improve beyond the point of wellness which I had reached.

In the late spring of 1995, a woman from Texas visited our studio. Her style of teaching was very different than any other I had experienced. After one group lesson I could feel the difference in the way I worked my body. I asked her where she had learned Authentic Pilates™ and she told me about The New York Pilates Studio® Certification Program..

In the summer of 1995 I went to NY and had 3 sessions at the studio and made a dramatic change. It was the first time I had heard the word "powerhouse" and understood what muscles were being used effectively. Every exercise I had learned in Santa Fe had to be un-learned. I made enough progress, and was able to begin intermediate exercises. I returned to Santa Fe and continued to work at the Institute for Authentic Pilates™, now known as the Physicalmind Institute. I was able to retain what I had learned in New York and continue to improve from my own effort. I took movement and stretch classes from Ruth Alpert, but managed to practice my own apparatus workouts.

In the spring of 1996, I decided to spend a month in New York City to return to the New York Pilates studio®. I took more private sessions and again saw dramatic changes. They helped me accomplish what I though the impossible. I was now able to be weight baring in my arms and perform exercises such as "push ups", "long stretch", "up stretch" and "tendon stretch". I decided what I wanted more than anything was to become certified in AuthenticPilates to help others.

Today I am a student of The New York The New York Pilates Studio® teacher certification program and am continuing to progress to the point where I have begun advanced exercises. The more I learn the more there is to unlearn as I was taught through the Institute. I truly have renewed hope for a full recovery and the knowledge that I have gained has changed my life."
 

Jerry Weiss - Certified Instructor

My summer was very interesting. I arrived dealing with pain in my upper back and down the left arm from a degenerated disk and bone spurs at C5-C6. Then in the middle of July I wrecked my back which has happened before. I found out through my doctor about the muscle imbalances which were causing this. When I was able to begin exercising again I built myself up slowly from the basic exercises back into the intermediate and some advanced, having revelation after revelation. Movements I thought I was performing correctly became straighter, my lower back got stronger. I was able to do exercises impossible for me to perform before. All of the pain in my upper back, neck and arms TOTALLY disappeared. I can't even make it hurt! I am totally pain free for the first time in over 5 years. I can't stop telling everyone whom I meet what this work has done for me.
 

Carol Dodge Baker - Certified Instructor

The Authentic Pilates™ method of body conditioning has totally changed my body from inside out and brought about a whole new personality. As a former dancer who suffered a terrible car accident I wedged together 2 vertebrae in my spine and another was ruptured. I had whiplash in my neck and was in so much pain even walking was a challenge.

I stumbled upon Romana Kryzanowska, Master Teacher at a seminar she gave at New York University where I was obtaining my masters in dance education. I took the class and although I was not aware of what Authentic Pilates™ was doing at the time, my back and neck began to feel better immediately. Afterwards, I studied with Romana for years taking sessions from her and fell in love with the work.

My body became stronger, longer, sleeker and I was moving more efficiently that I ever had before. My posture changed and became more erect- I "grew" 1½ inches taller. I remember walking one day and having to stop and look at my legs, which didn't feel like they were mine. They were longer, thinner, lighter as if I was walking on air. Authentic Pilates™ even changed the sound of my voice making it more dynamic. Because this exercise system works from the inside out, it strengthens organs, muscles and glands stimulating them to function normally. This system of exercise created in me a more daring, creative person both movement wise and in real life situations with greater confidence. Today I can do far more at a greater quality than I was able to before even with a healthy spine. Without surgery Authentic Pilates™ healed the trauma in my neck and back by strengthening the muscles that support the spine freeing me of pain and saved my life.
 

Amy Aronson - Certified Teacher

For the past 12 years I have been a professional ski instructor. In recent years I'd become frustrated by set-backs and minor injuries and general feelings of weakness. I was spending 2 hours a day in physical therapy and taping my knees to continue to be able to ski when I first learned of Authentic Pilates™. When the ski season ended, I returned to the East coast and located a studio which was at SUNY Purchase College and certified Instructor Carol Dodge Baker. I thought as a ski instructor, doing this workout would be easy and I quickly saw I was wrong. With Carol's supportive guidance and the following extraordinary experience, I discovered the nature of my fear and everything fell into place. I later attended a class taught by The New York Pilates Studio, Master Teacher. Romana saw how I was struggling with a particular exercise and literally cradled me in her arms (in her seventies) as she gently pushed my body through the movements. Later that night I had flashbacks of two fairly serious ski injuries which I had sustained in the past but had completely suppressed. Both injuries involved whiplash to my neck and severe back spasm. Miraculously the next day, I used the apparatus with a new conviction and lack of fear. Authentic Pilates™ work was so deep it triggered the memory of suppressed injuries and consequently freed me to heal those wounds and move on. Today, my left side and right side are now equal in strength, my upper body is proportionately stronger in relation to my legs. My knees are stronger because my quadriceps and hamstring muscles are supple and flexible. I had often heard other stories of healing and had been envious. I still can't believe I finally have my own story. I feel healthier and more balanced than I've felt in years and I owe it all to Authentic Pilates™.
 

John White - Certified Instructor

The esoteric teacher, G.I. Gurdjieff, wrote that it takes only two generations, removed from it's source for any type of knowledge to lose altogether it's meaning and integrity. Being of the 'second generation' of Authentic Pilates™ teachers I take these words to heart. It is our privilege to continue the system created by Joseph Pilates, and our responsibility to assure its integrity.

I am fortunate to have worked with some formidable talents during the course of my dancing, and then teaching careers;, Martha Graham, Ron Fletcher, Romana Kryzanowska. I have learned from each of them something of the truth, power and spirit of movement. In turn, I strive to impart these same gifts to my students, for I find them embodied in each of the exercises of Authentic Pilates™. I continue to study with the master teachers, our most precious resource, so that what I pass on to the next generation remains true.
 

Janet Levine - Client

I began taking Authentic Pilates™ classes in March 1994. While I was attracted to the goal of a toned body, increased upper body strength, greater flexibility and strong abs, I had a more compelling reason- a frozen shoulder. I had just completed five weeks of physical therapy and realized that it would take a long range program to restore pain free mobility. I have accomplished that plus a great deal more. I have greatly improved a chronic lower back problem, increased flexibility and toned and improved my figure. Authentic Pilates™ is a thinking persons exercise which takes total concentration and commitment. It continues to be challenging and very rewarding.
 

Hannelore Burnstein - Client

After struggling with sciatica and two herniated disks for the past thirteen years, it has been an incredible relief to be able to get through an exercise session without discomfort from the very beginning. My strength and flexibility have increased tremendously, I have lost a substantial amount of weight and my posture has improved. I feel terrific! In my pursuit of fitness over the years I have run the gamut of exercise options, from dance to aerobics, weight training, running, walking, jogging and swimming, never really feeling that I was accomplishing what I had intended. Since I began training with Authentic Pilates™ I feel the improvements. I enjoy how the exercises feel and that the low number of repetitions is sufficient to produce such excellent results. I faithfully work-out 2 to 3 times per week and I never get bored. One of the best reinforcements I could ever have is how often I get asked what is it about me that has changed so much. Its noticeable, but not really tangible. For me, Authentic Pilates™ has certainly made a change for the better!
 

Jo Ellen Doering - Client

Before I discovered Authentic Pilates™. I had wasted hundreds of dollars in searching for some form of exercise that would strengthen my right leg after hip replacement surgery. I now know that I will practice this for the rest of my life; that is how much I love it. No matter how sluggish or ill I might feel when I begin my program, which is three times per week, I ALWAYS feel worlds better when I am finished. What I really live about this program of training is the movement and coordination that it uses; I feel like my whole body is involved. I also love the stretching that is incorporated. My overall strength has improved enormously. My sisters wondered, and asked, what I had been doing; they said I looked so different, so relaxed, trimmer and taller. My husband says I am putting him to shame!
 

Marion Lane Rogers - Friend

I knew Joe and Clara well from the early forties onward. My late husband Fredrick Rand Rogers was one of Joe's most ardent advocates. In both articles and lectures he did all he could to promote his regimen. In fact, he wrote and arranged for the publication of a brochure for Joe. I am enclosing a rather faded copy of it for your library. Somewhere "among my souvenirs" I have some professionally taken photos of Joe demonstrating his exercises. If I can find them - and if you want them- I'll be glad to give them to you. Also enclosed is a photo taken at Joe's 80th birthday celebration.

I have many fond memories of both Clara and Joe. You would see the absolute top dancers, actors, musicians, artists in that funky little studio all toiling away on the machines, Joe presiding like the martinet he was. I remember too, Ruth St. Denis announcing from the stage after one of her many comeback recitals at an advanced age that it was only because of Joe Pilates that she was able to dance again. One anecdote from my store of memories might amuse you since it so well personifies Joe's glorious arrogance and assurance. He knew his worth.

My husband was also a close friend and associate of Dr. Hans Kraus. Dr. Kraus with Bonnie Prudden, received reams of publicity with their research project proving that American children were dangerously weak and physically unfit. Dr. Kraus later became President Kennedy's personal specialist to help him with his back problem. My husband Fred extolled Joe's work to Dr. Kraus and insisted that he meet with him with the aim of integrating Joe's work into Dr. Krau's own. Dr. Kraus being an M.D. and somewhat of a Prussian type himself was loath to believe that any mere gymnasium therapist could add anything to his knowledge and skill but he finally consented to visit Joe's studio and evaluate his work. Well, Dr. Kraus was a mountain climber of some sort and very much of an athlete himself but he was also quite short of stature. I doubt if he was more than five feet tall. So the great day arrived and Fred and Dr. Kraus appeared in his studio. Joe ignored them and went on busying himself with his students. I must add parenthetically that Joe had been both excited and eager to meet Dr. Kraus and demonstrate his superior regime to him. Fred introduced the two of them. Joe sized him up and spoke thus: "I never knew you were so small." End of interview. End of any chance of collaboration between them too. Of course the truth was, as Joe knew well, that although Dr. Kraus was a highly competent physician and therapist Joe was a genius. He never forgot that for an instant or allowed anybody else to forget it either!
 

Kathy Wolfe - Certified Instructor

Like anything else deeply worthwhile, the study and practice of Pilates has become increasingly important to me with time. I have come to realize that the physical and emotional benefits of this unique system will, most probably, affect my future well-being more than any other exercise of dance activity available to me. The nurturing attention to individual need and extensive knowledge of instructor, Carol Baker, has helped me to find increasing challenge and reward.

As a 50 year old (aging) person who is very concerned with maintaining body flexibility and strength, I have found Authentic Pilates™ to be amazing. My first exposure was pleasant, but I certainly didn't understand the value or the potential breadth of regular Authentic Pilates™ work. Indeed, attending sessions was a matter of convenience (the studio was in the building were I worked) rather than first choice--At that time I would have preferred a dance or even a "club" exercise class.

I now understand that unlike so many other physical pursuits, Authentic Pilates™ is not in any way stressful or injurious to joints. The wonderful sequential warm up is both safe and effective, as well as emotionally/physically centering. Both the system and the instructor help the student to focus inwardly, calmly working on centering and alignment while increasingly intensifying demands on the body to increase flexibility, stretch and strength. I am still astonished that I seem to be able to work successfully(at my level) in dance class, even after long absences. I definitely attribute this to the effects of Authentic Pilates™ work.

Perhaps the most important physical aspect for me is the emphasis placed on abdominal strength and usage. The unique aspect of Authentic Pilates™ to abdominal strengthening is the emphasis on continual abdominal engagement and use. It is almost impossible to execute most Authentic Pilates™ exercises without also working one's abdominals. For me, the system has not only been strengthening, but more importantly, I have begun to learn to work all parts of my body from a strong abdominal base. The muscle memory acquired in class carries over into my daily activities-even those not sport oriented!

I believe that I am healthier and happier because of Authentic Pilates™. In one hour lesson, I find myself de-stressed, re-aligned, stretched and strengthened. The sequential breathing clears my head and the hands-on guidance of the instructor, as well as the release massage helps me to function throughout the rest of the day. The long term benefits seem obvious. I am certain that the aging process is eased by this unique approach to increasing strength, flexibility and facility for weight bearing exercise.