The First Generation Teachers of the PMA

The ‘First Generation Teachers’ of the Pilates Method Alliance are 4 of the 5 known remaining individuals who actually studied with Joseph and Clara Pilates and continue their work to this day.

The First Generation Teachers serve as a foundation of knowledge, philosophy and historical reference for the PMA. Their expertise and insight are invaluable to the organization and to those fortunate enough to have an opportunity to learn from them. The 2nd Annual Conference, held in Miami in 2002, was the first time all these teachers were present together to teach their work.

Mary Bowen

Mary Bowen has been studying Pilates for 41 years and is one of 5 Pilates teachers still teaching who studied with Joe and Clara Pilates. She began her career in Theatre as a stand up character comedienne and musical comedy performer. Through her own exploration of the human psyche, she decided to change her emphasis – from performing in front of many people to working in one-on-one training relationships. Mary has been working as a Jungian psychoanalyst for 30 years and as a Pilates teacher for the last 26 years. She created “Your Own Gym” in Northampton. MA in 1975, the first Pilates studio in New England.

Ron Fletcher

Ron began his study with Joseph and Clara Pilates in 1948 after sustaining a severe knee injury working with Martha Graham. Impressed with the effectiveness of the work and the truth of its concept, he continued to study with the Pilates’ for over a half a century while maintaining a busy career in Europe and Las Vegas – choreographing at The Ice Capades, NBC TV musical-shows, Broadway and 20th Century Fox. Ron opened the Ron Fletcher Studio for Body Contrology in Los Angeles in 1971 with Clara Pilates blessing. Ron’s studio quickly became a fitness mecca for the stars and was a major catalyst for the public awareness of the value of the Pilates method outside of New York City. Ron Fletcher has continued to carry on and develop Pilates, staying faithful to the concepts he was taught by his teachers. At the age of 81, he maintains an active teaching schedule which included eighteen workshops in the United States, Canada, and Singapore in 2001.

Kathy Grant

Kathy Grant, known simply as “Kay” to Mr. Pilates, was a dancer before she began her Pilates training. She studied at the Boston Conservatory of Music, worked as a chorus girl at New York's famous Zanzibar club, and danced in a number of Broadway and off-Broadway productions, television programs and tours throughout the U.S. and the world. Kathy was also a choreographer and a co-director for a number of dance companies, and helped to choreograph the movie 'The Cotton Club'. Kathy worked closely with Arthur Mitchell and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Kathy received a certification from Mr. Pilates through a federally subsidized program of the New York State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. She taught at Carola Trier's studio and later managed the Pilates Studio in the now famous Henri Bendel's Department Store. Currently, Kathy works full time on the faculty in the Department of Dance at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.

Lolita San Miguel

Lolita San Miguel is one of Puerto Rico's leading cultural figures with a distinguished career as a ballerina, educator, choreographer and director. She has taught at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Performing Arts High School, Clark Center for the Performing Arts and the Metropolitan Opera Company. Ms San Miguel was trained by Carola Trier and Joseph H. Pilates during the 60's and is especially proud of being one of two people certified by Mr. Pilates. Ms. San Miguel recently founded Pilates Y Mas Inc., studio for the purpose of teaching, training, and certifying professionals in the Pilates method. Ms. San Miguel is a respected First Generation Teacher of the Pilates Method Alliance™.