Ron & Romana 2025 Pilates Retreat REPLAY
9.0 NPCP CECs
Join Kyria for an engaging and immersive journey into the legacy of Ron Fletcher. Through storytelling, movement, and Ron’s signature “isms,” Kyria will share from her 20+ years of learning from and moving with this first-generation Pilates master and dear friend.
Ron’s deep connection to Clara Pilates profoundly shaped his approach. As one of her chosen protégés, he absorbed her refined understanding of the work, emphasizing precision, breath, and flow. Blending personal anecdotes and cherished quotes with guided movement, this session will bring Ron’s teaching philosophy to life, deepening your understanding of his thoughtful and unique approach.
Learn how and why Ron consciously developed aspects of Body Contrology while always staying true to the fundamental Pilates “A-B-C’s,” making his approach “evolved from the source.”
Step into the world of Romana Kryzanowska through the eyes of one of her devoted students, Amy Taylor Alpers. This dynamic and heartfelt workshop brings to life the spirit, wisdom, and enduring influence of Romana, whose dedication to preserving Joseph Pilates’ work shaped generations of teachers—including Amy herself.
Through personal stories, movement, quotes, and Romana’s signature “isms,” Amy will share the invaluable lessons she learned firsthand—those subtle yet powerful insights that continue to guide her teaching today.
This workshop is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique spirit of Romana—her warmth and humor, and the powerful, unique spirit and passion that made her an irreplaceable force in the Pilates world. Come to listen, learn, laugh and leave inspired by all that Romana was.
Explore the Fletcher approach to the Pilates Method in this experiential movement workshop with Kyria Sabin. More than just a movement session, this is an opportunity to step into the lineage of Fletcher Pilates, feeling the depth and artistry of Ron Fletcher’s work firsthand. With Kyria’s guidance, you’ll refine your technique and gain insights into the philosophy and passion behind this unique approach.
Ron began his studies with Joseph and Clara Pilates in 1948 following a knee injury, and continued for nearly two decades. With a close relationship to Clara Pilates, Ron carried forward the method with a unique perspective, honoring its origins while adding his own innovations. This session will explore Ron’s signature variations on the universal reformer, as well as his unique progressions and “variations on themes.” You’ll also experience his personal favorites on the Pedipul and Spine Corrector—apparatuses that emphasize breath, alignment, and expansion.
Through precision, breathwork, and dynamic flow, you’ll experience how Ron evolved the classical method while staying true to its roots. This workshop is a chance to embody the Fletcher lineage, refine your movement, and expand your teaching approach through the depth and artistry of Fletcher Pilates.
Experience the rich tradition of classical Pilates with Amy Taylor Alpers in this immersive, movement- focused workshop. Rooted in the teachings of Romana Kryzanowska—Joseph Pilates’ devoted protégé and dedicated successor—this session explores the classical variations on the Universal Reformer as they were passed down through Romana’s deep knowledge and experience.
Romana dedicated her life to preserving the integrity of Pilates, staying true to the method she learned firsthand. She was a dynamic, passionate teacher whose love for movement and deep respect for Joe’s genius shaped generations of instructors—including Amy, who trained directly with Romana in New York. This workshop will honor her vibrant spirit and help to continue her powerful legacy to the next generations. Amy will teach the reformer exercises and choreography exactly as she learned them from Romana, preserving the precision, flow, order, transitions, and depth of the classical method as Romana herself learned it directly from her “Uncle Joe.”.
Expect to move with dynamics and with the athleticism and joy that defined Romana’s approach. This workshop is an opportunity to refine your practice, deepen your understanding, and carry forward the authentic tradition of Pilates with clarity and confidence.
This compelling History Panel brings together esteemed second-generation teachers who studied directly with Romana Kryzanowska and Ron Fletcher, two of Joseph Pilates’ most influential protégés. These panelists are not only keepers of their mentors’ legacies, they are leading voices in the ongoing evolution of the work.
Kathi Ross-Nash, a master teacher, author, and innovator, brings decades of experience rooted in her deep relationship with Romana, along with a global teaching presence and extensive written contributions to the field. Alycea Ungaro, renowned author, educator, and founder of Real Pilates® in New York, has played a pivotal role in popularizing Pilates and shaping the next generation of teachers. Brett Howard, a respected educator and international presenter, blends his deep academic background with extensive classical training, including direct mentorship from Romana, and is a widely recognized contributor to Pilates youth education.
Diane Severino, Fletcher’s first apprentice and director of his studio, blends together the depth of a performing artist with that of a movement educator, having helped shape Fletcher’s unique expression of the work. Michael Podwal, with a background in Broadway and television, worked directly with Ron for over a decade and helped establish early Pilates programs in major institutions.
Representing both lineages, Jonathan Oldham shares a unique perspective as both a physical therapist and a longtime Fletcher teacher, with a personal connection to Ron rooted in both movement and shared backgrounds in the Ice Capades. Diane Diefenderfer, a professional ballerina, master Pilates teacher and university professor, has influenced many through her blend of classical training, academic leadership, and devotion to the Pilates method.
Moderated by Kyria Sabin and Amy Taylor Alpers, two visionary educators who have come together to foster conversation between lineages, this panel invites reflection on the origins of the method, the enduring impact of mentorship, and how these teachers have integrated tradition with innovation. It’s a rare opportunity to witness the convergence of history and future, with voices that continue to shape Pilates around the world.