The Roots Of The Method
The Romana’s Lineage at LifeSpan Pilates
It’s not just a workout.
You are inheriting a legacy.
To understand the "Roots," you must understand the transmission.
Pilates method was never meant to be learned from a book or a quick certification. It is a system passed down through a rigorous, hands-on apprenticeship—from master to student.
At LifeSpan, we honor the transmission path that defines the gold standard of the industry.
A Global Community of Excellence
While LifeSpan serves as the premier hub for the Romana lineage in New York City, we are proud to be part of a global tapestry of Master Teachers dedicated to this work.
From the RPI Headquarters in Florida led by Sari Mejia Santo and Daria Pace, to our sister centers in Chicago, Australia, South America, Europe, Netherlands, and beyond we stand together to ensure the sun never sets on the authentic pilates method.
The Legacy of Pilates: From Teacher to Teacher
The Matriarch: Romana Kryzanowska
Grandmaster:
Sari Mejia Santo
(RPI Leadership Fla. Headquarters)
Grandmaster:
Daria Pace
The Source: Joe & Clara Pilates
Grandmaster:
Juanita Lopez (Chicago)
Grandmaster:
Cynthia Lochard (Australia)
The NYC RPI Command Center:
LifeSpan Pilates
Why the "Roots" Matter
When you train at LifeSpan, you are stepping into the same tradition established at the original Pilates Studio on 8th Avenue.
While the market is flooded with "Classical-style" fitness, we focus on the original system: the specific order of exercises, the unique use of the apparatus, and the deep "why" behind every movement.
By anchoring your practice in the Roots, you ensure the depth, integrity, and results of your work are never diluted.
Preserving the Standard
As a Romana’s Pilates International training center, we uphold a standard that few can claim:
600+ Hour Apprenticeships
Deep, immersive learning that creates mastery.
Direct Lineage
Training led by those who were trained by Romana herself.
The Original Apparatus 'Gratz Pilates'
Using the equipment designed to support the method's true intentions.