Celebrating 30 years of Real Pilates
Three decades ago, Alycea Ungaro opened the doors to Real Pilates with curiosity, determination, and a deep reverence for the method. Thirty years later, that same spirit continues to fuel one of the most respected classical Pilates institutions in the world. As Real Pilates celebrates its 30th anniversary, Alycea reflects on the longevity of her business, the roots of her lineage, and her ongoing mission to empower teachers, students, and the next generation of leaders.
“From day one, I’ve been curious about where it could go and how it could grow.”
Ungaro never envisioned a three-decade journey but she always stayed open. “Every time there’s been an opportunity in the past 30 years, I’ve asked, ‘What would that look like?’” she shares. That mindset has led to an impressive array of projects, books, apps, studios, health club partnerships, and a comprehensive training program. “All while cultivating a wonderful team of educators,” she adds.
What keeps her going? “I still enjoy coming to work,” she says. “There’s that cliché ‘happy wife, happy life’, I feel like the secret to longevity in a business is an inspired owner.”
Teaching with Purpose, Rooted in Tradition
Ungaro studied directly under Romana Kryzanowska, and that mentorship is the bedrock of her work. “I promised to teach Pilates as she taught it to me,” she says.
“Romana used to say every studio should have a sign that reads ‘Pilates is a workout that guides our delivery of the method, even while we customize each session.”
Beyond movement, Alycea sees the teacher-student relationship as transformational. “Our teaching methodology is founded on the connection between teachers and students,” she says. “That’s how students develop their own internal coach and become their own instructor for life.” One hallmark of Real Pilates’ approach is what she calls the
“hand-off moment,” when a cue or correction is consciously transferred from teacher to client so it becomes the clients responsibility. “That’s when the real magic happens.”
Classical Roots, Contemporary Mindset
While Real Pilates remains staunchly classical, it embraces the demands of modern learning and living. “It’s all we think about every day, does our method translate to today’s needs?” Ungaro says. “We believe classical training is one side of the coin. The other side is contemporary learning.”
That means using modern pedagogy, honoring different learning styles, and leveraging technology. “Whether it’s clients or students, we want all of our community to thrive. That keeps us experimenting with platforms, products, and how we serve.”
The State of Pilates Education: “We’re Letting Teachers Down”
Ungaro is forthright about what she sees as a growing concern in the industry. “From the moment a prospective instructor searches online for teacher training, expectations are mismanaged,” she says.
Her stance is clear: “Education programs should have one objective: to graduate teachers who are prepared to teach on their very first shift.” She criticizes programs that prioritize visual performance or convenience over developing strong teaching skills, and points out the absence of practice teaching as a major flaw. “I have personally auditioned teachers who reported having taught less than five sessions in their entire program,” she says. “It’s a disgrace to the profession.”
Real Life, Real Bodies, Real Pilates
Though some associate classical Pilates with elite choreography, Ungaro is refreshingly direct: “Real bodies need little else besides basic movement patterns to improve strength, mobility, and wellness.” Her classes emphasize functional movement, the core of Joseph Pilates’ original syllabus push-ups, sit-ups, wall sits, and other foundational exercises. “We leave the fancy choreography to others,” she says.
Women, Wellness, and Evolving Identity
Having introduced mat Pilates to New York City in the 90s, Ungaro has witnessed the evolving role of women in Pilates. “Most Pilates studios today are owned by women, and we've enjoyed robust representation from the start,” she says. But expectations have shifted.
“Women no longer come to Pilates for their partners or to chase cultural norms,” she explains. “Now, it’s about strength, alignment, balance and it’s all for themselves. Pilates has become a vehicle for self-actualization.”
Building Sustainable Businesses
When asked what makes a Pilates business truly successful, Ungaro doesn’t hesitate: “Adaptability and community are the superpowers of any entrepreneur,” she says. “Gather up your community in person, online, wherever you can find them.”
She’s equally passionate about supporting fellow studio owners and teachers, particularly in building strong teams and future-proof brands.
Words, Wisdom, and What’s Next
For Ungaro, writing has been a defining experience. “Writing books taught me how to cue better,” she says. “I had to limit my word count per image—no more, no less. It was suffocating at first, but it taught me the value of brevity on the studio floor.”
As she enters her fourth decade of leadership, her focus is clear: succession. “This decade is all about succession planning,” she says. “What will Real Pilates do after I eventually step away? I’m putting extra time into our materials and team to ensure the next generation is well prepared to keep the work of Joe and Romana alive and thriving.”
Alycea Ungaro’s journey is a testament to staying inspired, staying rooted, and staying real. Thirty years in, she’s still asking, “What would that look like?” and the industry is better for it.
Alycea Ungaro took her 1st Pilates session in 1982 and never looked back. A lifelong student of the method, Alycea trained to teach Pilates in 1993 and became a licensed Physical Therapist in 1998 before devoting her decades long career to promoting Pilates. She is the founder of the Real Pilates® studios in New York, and the author of five books including the best-selling Pilates: Body in Motion. A student of Romana Kryzanowska, Alycea has been a voice for Pilates around the world. As the creator of the Real Pilates® Teacher Training program, Alycea is committed to passing on her knowledge to future generations of instructors. She lives in New York with her family.