RP 30th Year

A FIRST - PILATES PACKING LIST (30th Series)

The Very First Reformer….ever.

Well, not ever. But the first “real” Reformer in my world. Here’s how it went.

The voice on the other line was calmly asking for my credit card. With a quiver in my voice and a trembling hand I slowly read all the numbers off my Visa card. 

This was the largest purchase I had ever made. It was 1995 and the wooden Reformer with Black upholstery and curbside delivery was just about $2500.

I hung up the phone. Put my head in my hands. And quietly lamented… “what am I doing?

Two months later I had a bright and shiny Reformer in the middle of my Tribeca living room. 
What came next, was not at all what I expected!

The french doors in the photo shown here were doors to the Master bedroom. Typically the Reformer lived across the room but on this day we wanted to capture the light. It would be another 12 years before the first iphone came out.

I remember so many details - I did not however, remember, that the handles on this Reformer were not leather or metal …but black nylon and plastic. Such a strange detail to forget. I can’t imagine not having upgraded to better handles but the photos don’t lie.

~Alycea

My 1st home studio Reformer was from Balanced Body - 4 springs with leather straps in black upholstery.

A FIRST - NO WAY AROUND IT (30th Series)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We are turning 30 this year. So it felt right to share where we came from and how we started. Buckle up for our Real Pilates Time Capsule! Watch for regular posts and stay connected to our Real Family!

~Alycea Ungaro
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It was 1992 when I first stepped foot inside Drago's Gym to meet with Joseph Pilates protege' and ask for permission to train as a Pilates instructor. I was instructed to have a seat on a plush circular couch on the 6th floor at 50 West 57th Street. I was nervous but excited to speak with the Grande Dame herself. My prior instructor Steve Giordano had sent me here and I felt confident that I had a good chance of getting the approval I sought. 

Romana whisked in and took a seat asking brusquely who had sent me. Once my training had been established, she stood up and walked away. I felt my confidence receding. A minute or so passed before she returned with a piece of colored folded cardstock . Her outstretched hand instructed me to take it. It was a list of exercises. A long list. I recognized some but not all. 

"Come back tomorrow at 7am. You'll teach this Mat."

It was 1pm.

I didn't know my schedule but I knew enough not to push back. 

Still, I faltered a moment. "Teach the whole list"? I queried? 

Romana replied with words I have never forgotten - "There's no way around it Alycea, you have to memorize it."

It's been more than 30 years since that moment. I wonder sometimes where I would be if I hadn't shown up that next day. But I did. And Romana was right. 

There was no way around it. 

The Mat I had to teach on my first day - before I was even accepted as an Apprentice!