Romana Kryzanowska: Joseph Pilates' Protégé & Grand Dame of Authentic Pilates

June 30, 1923 – August 30, 2013 | The Inspiration for PCO, PWD & Authentic Pilates Worldwide

Romana Kryzanowska stands as the most influential figure in preserving and advancing Joseph Pilates' original method of body conditioning, known as Contrology. As Joseph Pilates' direct protégé and chosen successor, Romana Kryzanowska dedicated over 60 years to maintaining the authenticity of the Pilates method exactly as taught by its creator. Her unwavering commitment to preserving Joseph Pilates' teachings—unchanged and meticulously documented—established her as the Grand Dame of authentic Pilates and the custodian of the method's true lineage. Romana Kryzanowska's legacy lives on through thousands of certified instructors worldwide, including Dr. Melinda Bryan and the programs at PilatesCertificationOnline.com.

Early Years & Meeting Joseph Pilates (1941)

Born June 30, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan, Romana Kryzanowska was the only child of accomplished artist parents who instilled in her a deep appreciation for movement and proper alignment. As a talented teenage ballet dancer studying at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet in New York City, seventeen-year-old Romana suffered an ankle injury in 1941 that threatened her dancing career. Doctors recommended surgery, but Balanchine had a different solution. "Joseph Pilates is a genius of the body," Balanchine told her, taking the young dancer by the hand to meet "Uncle Joe" at his studio on Eighth Avenue.

Joseph Pilates examined her ankle, led her to one of his apparatus, and made her a promise: "Little girl, take five lessons with me—three in the first week and two in the second week. If your ankle isn't better, I'll give you your money back." Each lesson cost three dollars. By the third lesson, Romana's ankle had stopped hurting. From that moment forward, she was hooked—the beginning of a lifelong dedication to the work of Joseph Pilates.

Chosen Successor: Joseph & Clara Pilates' Protégé

Recognizing Romana Kryzanowska's exceptional talent and dedication, Joseph and Clara Pilates took her under their wing as their student and, eventually, as Joseph Pilates' chosen successor. "Before I knew it, I was named a helper, which meant I didn't have to pay anymore," Romana recalled. She trained extensively with Joseph Pilates from 1941 until 1944, when she married Peruvian businessman Pablo Mejia and moved to Peru. Even during her years abroad (1944-1958), Romana maintained close contact with "Uncle Joe" and Clara, teaching Pilates to her children Paul and Sari. Joseph Pilates even crafted customized baby leg springs for Romana's children, calling them his "Pilates babies."

When Romana returned to New York in 1958 as a single mother, she immediately resumed working with Joseph and Clara at the 939 Eighth Avenue studio, immersing herself in the principles and techniques of the method until Joseph Pilates' death in 1967.

Preserving Joseph Pilates' Legacy (1967-2013)

After Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967 at age 87, Romana Kryzanowska joined forces with Clara Pilates to keep the studio operational and preserve the authentic method. "Clara and I worked together after he passed away. I never got home before 10:00 at night and was up at 5:00 in the morning. I did that for years," Romana recalled. Of all the first-generation Pilates elders—those who trained directly with Joseph Pilates—Romana worked with him the longest and developed the deepest understanding of his work.

When Clara passed away in 1977, Romana became the sole director of The Pilates Studio in New York, maintaining Joseph Pilates' original teachings without modification or dilution. Her commitment to authenticity meant every exercise, progression, and teaching principle remained exactly as Joseph Pilates intended, ensuring students worldwide received the pure, unchanged Pilates method.

First Official Pilates Certification Program (1992)

Recognizing the need for properly trained, quality instructors to carry forward Joseph Pilates' work, Romana Kryzanowska sought validation from the medical community to elevate Pilates from an experimental fitness method to a professionally recognized discipline. In 1992, she partnered with Dr. Melinda Bryan and Kaz® to establish the first medically vetted Pilates certification program at Performing Arts Physical Therapy / The Pilates Studio® of Los Angeles.

Dr. Bryan orchestrated consultations between Romana and leading orthopedic surgeons from the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, who meticulously reviewed every exercise in Joseph Pilates' classical repertoire to ensure anatomical safety and alignment with contemporary medical standards. This groundbreaking collaboration marked the first time Pilates received professional medical validation, establishing PAPT as one of only two original licensing centers worldwide.

Teaching Philosophy & Global Impact

Romana Kryzanowska traveled extensively throughout her career, teaching quarterly nine-day certification workshops in Los Angeles throughout the 1990s and inspiring instructors across six continents—Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and beyond. Her teaching style combined elegance, precision, and Joseph Pilates' core principles: stretch with strength and control. "You can say what Pilates is in just a few words: stretch with strength and control. The control part is the most important—that makes you use your mind," Romana explained.

Her famous instructions echoed through studios worldwide: "In with the air, out with the air," "lengthen, reach, lift, hold," "squeeze your buttocks, your derriere, or those hanging baskets," and "use your powerhouse!" Students who trained under Romana—including Dr. Melinda Bryan, Sari Mejia Santo (her daughter), and thousands of certified instructors—continue spreading Joseph Pilates' authentic method globally, ensuring his vision remains unchanged for future generations.

The Romana Kryzanowska Legacy

On August 30, 2013, at age 90, Romana Kryzanowska passed away, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that transformed Pilates from a niche fitness method practiced in Joseph Pilates' single New York studio to a global phenomenon taught in thousands of studios worldwide. Her favorite toast after a successful day of teaching—"Love All Around"—captured her spirit and generosity.

Master teacher Jay Grimes, a first-generation Pilates elder who trained with Joe, Clara, and Romana, summarized her enduring impact: "Technically, nobody knows Joseph Pilates' work better than Romana Kryzanowska. She embodies the true Pilates spirit." Today, her influence continues through programs like PilatesCertificationOnline.com and PilatesWorldDirectory.com, which honor her commitment to preserving Joseph Pilates' original teachings with the same authenticity, elegance, and precision she exemplified throughout her 60-year career.

Romana Kryzanowska will forever be remembered as the custodian of Joseph Pilates' legacy, the Grand Dame who ensured his vision remained pure and unchanged for generations to come. Her spirit, elegance, and unwavering dedication live on in every instructor who teaches the authentic Pilates method worldwide. For verified credentials and professional recognition, visit: PilatesWorldDirectory.com