Not long ago I had the great pleasure of meeting the intelligent and enthusiastic Jennifer Kries via a Skype date. Despite it not being in-person, it was one of those rare pleasures where one experiences a true meeting of the minds, but we’ll go into greater detail about that a little later on. First let me fill you in on who Jennifer is and what she’s all about.
Originally from New York, a professional dancer, Jennifer had the privilege of studying Pilates with none other than Romana Kryzanowska, graduating from the program at Drago’s Gymnasium on 50 west 57th Street in the early nineties, at a time when Pilates was virtually unknown.
Eager to get started, the young and entrepreneurial Jennifer went to her neighborhood gym on Charles Street in the heart of the West Village, and propositioned the owner, Joel Kaye, telling him that she wanted to teach “Pilates,” gesturing to the small 15 X 20 ft. space in the store front area of his gym. She suggested that in lieu of conventional rent, she would pay him a ‘per-head’ rate for each Pilates student she brought in. Kaye skeptically responded, “Not sure if anyone is going to go for this, but sure, why not? Knock yourself out — give this “pie – laytes” thing a try.” Well, turns out that the “pie – layts thing” was an overnight hit and literally within a month there were 40 to 50 students coming in each week for private sessions and group mat classes, and the owner was making a cool $1500 a month from Jennifer’s venture. Skepticism had quickly turned into surprised satisfaction.
1993 was a very significant time for Pilates history in the West Village, and Jennifer’s endeavors were a catalyst for some pretty big things to come. Not only was it the first “home” and springboard for the careers of some of the most noteworthy Pilates entities today, like Alycea Ungaro, who was Kries’ peer in Romana’s training and first-ever employee, Brooke Siler, who was the receptionist at the gym and who along with now yoga celebrity, wife of Rodney, Colleen Saidman-Yee, received her first Pilates sessions from Kries. It was also there at The West Village Workout on Charles Street that her award-winning, landmark “Method” Video Series was conceived. In one of her mat classes, she was approached by Cal Pozo, renowned ballroom dancer and fitness producer who said, “You are such a charismatic and gifted teacher, and you’re offering something to people that is clearly changing their lives– you need to share this and send it out to the masses where it can make a greater impact … let’s make a video.”
Jennifer was reluctant at first because her dance career was in full tilt, and truth be told, she had to be persuaded that the video would appropriately convey the work and do justice to what she had learned, so it didn’t happen right away. It took a few years before Jennifer discovered a commonality that struck a synchronous chord in her mind and helped her to know that she had to move ahead with Pozo’s offer. When Jennifer learned that she and Pozo shared the very same birthday, “It was when he said ‘I’m a Leo, Aug 16th, that I realized that destiny was knocking, and as strange as it may sound, that piece of information tipped the scales for me, and I knew I had to do this video, because not only did I know that it would be done well, but that it was meant to be. The very first Pilates video was produced and released on VHS (remember those clunky things?) in the Fall of 1997, and would sell over 15 million copies worldwide, responsible for inspiring the careers of untold countless Pilates professionals today.
Jennifer continues, “With the emergence of the various Pilates styles, there are many people who have not been privy to the Classical work, so there is a huge curiosity around it, and I think it is a responsibility of mine, and my colleagues’ to spread the magic of that work.
Being a part of Romana’s program, where daily, we drank in the essence of the original work, was a great privilege. We knew at the time that we were incredibly fortunate and had only the greatest respect, but that feeling of gratitude has only grown over the years, reaching a kind of zenith of appreciation lately, especially since Romana’s passing. It’s the knowledge that this special time when we all got to work so closely with one of Joseph Pilates original torch bearers will never come again. Not only is the work we learned from Romana beautiful and inspiring, it stands alone in today’s world of Pilates “varietals.” It was original in its dynamism, its flow– the very transitions were just as important as the exercises themselves, and it amazes me how few people today in the community at large even know these magical moments in the workout. And beyond any transition, at the heart of the work, in its original form, as we know, is one of the finest rehabilitative and strength-training modalities that exists today.
When we were with Romana at Drago’s, making it through a workout with her was what it felt like after you nailed a crazy virtuosic solo on stage. The work is meant to push you WAY beyond your limits; it’s meant to make you feel more alive than you were before, and then some! You’re meant go beyond those preconceived notions of what you thought you were capable of—even when you don’t feel “all there,” and are in the process of healing an injury. With Romana, the injury was never the focus–it was you as a whole person, becoming even stronger and more complete, more connected with every session, confronting and vanquishing self doubt, inviting that injury to rejoin the party as a strong guest once again, proving to yourself that you are so much more than you ever could have imagined, and that your world, the world you manifest for yourself is a reflection of this unity, this singular kind of integration. That to me is Romana’s legacy, and what I want to pass on.
“Not to change the subject, Brett, but I must tell you that you have a wonderful smile, and very sweet eyes.” Flattery will get you EVERYWHERE Jennifer.
Jennifer and I then cursorily speak about the unfortunate “fundamentalism” that is present in the Pilates community, something which we both have a distaste for, and embrace this wonderful moment we share– this meeting of like-minds.
“In 2014, I am embarking on some big projects, and the people that I am joining forces with are passionate, open thinkers who believe in preserving tradition just as I do, but they are tolerant, and generous. They are not egotists, or religious zealots, nor do they believe in promoting cliques or divisions in the community. They are all-inclusive spirits who love the work and want to share it from their hearts– with the world. Brett, there is simply no room for zealotry in a community that espouses helping people. Pilates is a modality that is intended to facilitate humanity’s advancement, and we want our efforts to contribute to our evolution, not impede or delay it by inadvertently excluding people or by seeing the world through a narrow, self-serving lens that only perpetuates insecurity and fear. Pilates is about expansion and courage— expanded space both inside the body and in the breadth of our emotional intelligence, out in the world, as I’ve already said today. If we’re going to change the world, we have to integrate the work as it was meant to and come from greater awareness and compassion in our interactions with others. For me, especially now, my mantra that’s been evolving over the years is “GO BIG LOVE or GO HOME!”
Big words and big ideas, but I agree completely and with that, I excitedly pull up my website and go back to the archives to read the first introduction page that I wrote back in March.
“Why I love Pilates…My deep attraction to Pilates is derived from the intelligence and completeness of the technique. Working intensely and sensitively in the Pilates Technique not only strengthens the body, but also provides the potential to deepen into that vast greatness that the WHOLE human being is. It is a passion of mine not only to teach the fitness aspect of the Pilates Technique, but to encourage my clients to go beyond the exercises, and to perceive for themselves while going through their workout, the very depth that they are.”
Both a bit lost for words, we are just nod via Skype and smile saying, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” This is a special moment.
Jennifer continues, “Pilates is literally a way to “wake up.” When you see your own efforts, your innate beauty reflected back to you through the very movements you accomplish, reinforced by the direction and positive feedback from your teacher, your own perception of self shifts. You become inspired, filled with a deep sense of satisfaction and buoyancy from this new paradigm, this new way of working with yourself —as your very own self-reflective witness. In the process, you are awakened to the deeper layers of your emotional intelligence that “syncs up” with your body, and the result is magical–with this new “art of attention,” your presence, you cultivate empathy and even admiration for yourself, becoming more generous to yourself, and then you have much more to offer others, thus raising the vibration of our species. That is Pilates to me. ”
I admire your sensitivity and passion, Jennifer, and I loved meeting and talking with you. I am so pleased you’re able to be a part of this magazine, if even in the smallest of ways.
*To experience Jennifer’s transformative work firsthand, please visit her website and download a session of your very own with her today from any one of her exceptional DVD programs, particularly her Pilates Method Master Trainer DVD Series, the definitive resource for Pilates professionals teachers-in-training or Pilates devotees wishing to deepen and refine their practice, and truly learn the “art of teaching.” : http://jenniferkries.com/dvd-