jay grimes

Jay 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 Avenue studio in New York and had taught all over the world. Jay danced professionally, ballet and Broadway for 18 years, and never had an injury. This he attributed entirely to Pilates.

Jay was valued in the Pilates community for his experience, humility and integrity in maintaining the work of Joe Pilates. Over the years Jay’s clients ranged from stars of Broadway and Hollywood, music and opera, to politicians, businessmen and housewives, and Olympic athletes.

sonje mayo

Sonjé Mayo was born in South Africa in 1945. After certifying as a physical therapist at the University of Cape Town, her career as a professional dancer took her to the USA in 1965 where she studied jazz dance initially with Luigi and then contemporary dance at the Martha Graham School. Ms. Graham insisted her students take class with Joseph Pilates and Sonjé followed her advice.

The many Pilates sessions she had with Joseph Pilates, his wife Clara and Romana Kryzanowska proved to have a profound influence on Sonjé’s future.

romana kryzanowska

Romana Kryzanowska is quoted thusly:

“You can say what Pilates is in three words. Stretch with Strength and Control. And the control part is the most important because that makes you use your mind.”

In a separate quote Romana goes into more detail about just what’s going on up there –  the specific functions of your mind “on Pilates.” Pilates is often referred to as mind/body exercise but I feel this is quite the understatement. The capacity to which our minds can exert control over the body is infinite. Romana also says “You can improve your genes a little if you are tenacious enough.” So there we go.

This is your mind on Pilates:

“Intelligence guided by the will using memory and imagination assisted by intuition.”