RPTT LEAD TRAINERS
Alycea Ungaro has handpicked each lead trainer for the Real Pilates Teacher Training program. Our group of talented, seasoned instructors come from varied backgrounds, and they each exude a deep passion and unwavering commitment to spreading the classical Pilates curriculum, as Joe intended.
We are beyond proud to have each of them on our team as Lead Teacher Trainers.
Real Pilates owner, published authority on fitness and wellness and a pioneer of the Pilates method, Alycea Ungaro brought some of the very first mat Pilates classes to New York City. Her signature work and expert products have been growing and shaping the industry for decades.
Alycea expanded her popular Pilates classes into a fitness media empire. Her first multimedia project was the innovative Portable Pilates™, an easy-to-use at-home mat workout. Best selling titles followed including; Pilates: Body in Motion, published in 2002, The Pilates Promise published in 2004, and The Pilates Practice Companion, Alycea’s most comprehensive book yet, released in bookstores in January 2011. In addition to serving on the advisory board of Fitness Magazine, Alycea also travels widely as a guest teacher hosting retreats at world-famous locations such as Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She has trained scores of celebrities including Madonna, Uma Thurman, Kyra Sedgwick, Claire Danes, and Molly Sims. Together with long-time client Christy Turlington, Alycea collaborated on a “Pilates Booty” for Puma. The booty was aptly named “The Alycea.”
Alycea was early to the digital game by partnering with Mobile Mind, Inc. to launch a cell phone version of Portable Pilates™. This go-anywhere mini-workout, was designed to broaden Pilates accessibility. Her 15 Minute Everyday Pilates book and DVD has also been converted into a series of Vooks (video books) that are available for iPhones and iPads as well as the Amazon Kindle and the Android platform. The New York Times has hailed these Pilates Apps as the best on the market. She also created the patented Real Alignment Mat for the home exerciser. In 2012 Alycea launched the now popular SpringTone® class in her New York studios. SpringTone® is now licensed internationally to studios and trainers. 2013 saw the launch of Synthesis, Alycea’s Mentor Project which was designed to merge Pilates technique and business strategies into a unique learning platform for an exclusive group of studio owners. The Synthesis Mentor program runs annually. The largest addition to the Real Pilates roster of offerings is the comprehensive teacher training program where Alycea and her stellar team are grooming the next generation of Pilates teachers. The RPTT program is conducted worldwide with host studios in countries across the globe. When she isn’t training or teaching at one of the three New York City Real Pilates studios, she spends her time in NYC or upstate New York with her family.
In addition to her Pilates expertise, Ungaro is a licensed physical therapist having graduated from New York University’s prestigious program. She holds a Masters degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition as well as a certification in Peri-natal exercise. Her qualifications make her uniquely qualified to work with all levels of disability and with clients during any phase of their pregnancy.
Juan Estrada has over 16 years of fitness teaching experience having built an extensive client base in both Chicago and NYC. Formally a professional dancer in Chicago, Juan was introduced to Pilates while completing his BA of Dance in Choreography and Performance at Columbia College Chicago. Juan has studied with Master Instructors Romana Kryzanowska, Bob Leikens, Susan Moran, and Alycea Ungaro. Juan joined the Power Pilates team in 2005 under Liv Berger and Linda Spriggs in Chicago and then joined the NYC team in 2006 and became a Teacher Trainer where he began to mentor instructors and certify apprentices from all over the world. Since then Juan has taught numerous Teacher Trainer programs and Continuing Education workshops across the U.S. In January 2014 Juan left Power Pilates to pursue Personal Training and Dance Fitness. Aside from training celebrity clients such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Hugh Grant, Mellody Hobson, Alexandra Neil, Regina Spektor, Sofia Vergara, he teaches a wide range of client levels including children, pre and post natal, and senior citizens. Juan has been featured on ABC and WPIX morning workout segments, LA Confidential Magazine, and several Pilates workout downloads and DVD's.
Rachael Lieck Bryce has been a full-time Pilates instructor for over a decade. She is dedicated to the classical Pilates Method and has worked with clients ranging from 5 to 85, with all levels of fitness abilities. Rachael teaches from a place of authenticity, with the goal of enriching people’s lives through classical Pilates. Methodology marks Rachael’s third studio to build, open and operate. She brings to her teaching her expertise from the Pilates industry, passion for educating the community, and a zest for life.
A former contemporary dancer, Rachael was introduced to Pilates in 1997 through her college ballet teacher. She was first certified with Colleen Glenn in Dallas, completing over 500 hours of an apprenticeship and a rigorous certification through The PilateSystem in 2002. Colleen is listed in the national registry of Who’s Who and was heralded as one of America’s TOP 55 TRAINERS in Vogue magazine.
After teaching for 5 years, Rachael wanted more education and began her journey as a bridge student with New York-based Power Pilates, completing a second program in 2006. Rachael has had the pleasure to train with some of the most respected and sought-after Pilates instructors in the industry. Her dedication to continuing education keeps her current, educated and just as passionate for classical Pilates as ever.
In addition to teaching Pilates students, Rachael is part of an international network of studios who train and educate Pilates instructors for Real Pilates, one of the most respected Pilates education programs in the industry. Rachael is dedicated to training new teachers who uphold the standard in classical Pilates as they change lives in their communities.
Gabriela Cardenas has taught Classical Pilates since 2001, and brings over twenty years of experience to her profession. Upon arriving to New York, she received her certification in Classical Pilates through The Pilates Studio of NYC under the tutelage of the late Romana Kryzanowska, Sari Mejia Santo, and the late Bob Liekens. Gabriela is also certified in THE GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM, NASM, NESTA, and The Lotte Berk Method. In 2004, she bridged through Power Pilates NYC, and was instrumental in their collaboration with Pilates Wellness and Energy in Madrid and Marbella, Spain. Gabriela holds duel BA’s in Spanish & English from Texas Christian University. She then completed a BA in Dance through Empire State College, and the DEL Program (Dance Education Laboratory). She received a MA in Dance Education from NYU's Steinhardt, and a NYS Certification for Teaching Dance grades Pre-K-12. Gabriela is presently on faculty at the Mary McDowell Upper School, and is studying to become a Real Pilates Lead Trainer, under the direction of Alycea Ungaro. A kinesthetic learner, Gabriela wished she had discovered the Pilates Method as an adolescent. She thinks that having a mind & body connection at an earlier age would have helped manage her ADD, and would have also helped with her fine and gross motor skills development. Her ultimate goal is to bring The Pilates Method to as many populations as possible, especially to young people, just as Joe intended.
Karen Winselmann, studio owner of Pure Pilates, completed her Pilates Studio of New York Teacher Certification Program in 2003, and Romana’s Pilates® Instructor Training Program as a Certified Teacher Trainer in 2010. Both Pilates Studio of New York and Romana’s Pilates are rooted in the original teachings of Joseph Pilates. Referred to as Classical Pilates, when you come to Pure Pilates you are getting a comprehensive overview of both authentic and contemporary approaches on classical equipment designed by Joseph Pilates for maximum benefit of this amazing method of body conditioning.
Karen opened Pure Pilates in 2006 after deciding that Pilates was where she wished to focus her passion for movement, education, and fitness. Currently 20 Pilates Instructors have been certified through Pure Pilates, many of whom enjoy teaching locally as well as becoming Instructors at Pure Pilates. Karen is currently a Lead Teacher Trainer for Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates Teacher Training Program which is hosted at Pure Pilates.
Karen is available for Private instruction. She works with trained professional athletes (NFL, MLB, NBA) as well as Pre-professional and professional dancers. She has also trained the British Olympic Swim Team for two years in a row. Additionally, Karen teaches a weekly Pilates Pro class for local teachers in the South Florida area. All local Pilates teachers are welcome, regardless of their certification.
Karen has a BFA in Dance from Florida State University, where she taught ballet & agility training to the Florida A&M University football team. She also has an MBA degree from Nova Southeastern University, with a specialization in International Business. Prior to op
ening Pure Pilates, she held a corporate position in Human Resources in Executive Training and Development at WR Grace, a fortune 100 company world headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.
Originally from Costa Rica, Melissa Castro-Schmidt received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica in 2004. She moved to Atlanta in May 2008 and completed her Power Pilates training program at Studio Lotus, where she taught for three years. In June 2009 she completed her Red Cord certification, April 2011 did TRX training and in June 2011 finished Suspension X for BioCored. She came to New York to pursue her passion for growing and learning as an instructor. Melissa is very positive, she loves challenges and she really believes, “when you move you are truly alive.”
Pursuing dance, Keren Feingold moved to NYC to attend The Martha Graham School. Her passion for movement, combined with an old hip injury, brought her to Pilates. She received her certification in 2008 through Power Pilates in NYC under the guidance of Bob Likenes. She is a true believer of the method and continues to practice it every day.
Keren's life purpose is to help people reach their goals by bringing awareness into their lives. As a health coach, she helps make people aware of their life habits and aids with making changes to improve their lives in a balanced way. As a Pilates and yoga instructor, She helps people connect to their bodies and challenges them to find their edge.
Always a movement enthusiast, Heather Thomas has been teaching Pilates for two decades. Her recognition of Pilates’ benefits and passion for the discipline led her to embark on intensive training, completing her full Studio certification in 2002. She later studied traditional Pilates through Benjamin Degenhardt’s 360° Pilates in 2016, and received 3rd Generation Classical Pilates certification with Alycea Ungaro’s REAL Pilates in 2018. Heather is a Lead Educator for REAL Pilates, and conducts multiple trainings in Hong Kong and elsewhere per year.
Heather opened Hong Kong’s Flex Studio in 2005, and has grown the studio become the city’s premiere fitness destination and Classical Pilates Teacher Training Centre. Heather also leads annual retreats in Asia, and workshops to empower people to take control of their physical well-being. Her interest in movement and the body stems from decade-long training in classical ballet as a young girl, and subsequent daily yoga practice whilst living in New York City in the 1990’s.
Heather has a strong business background, with degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Columbia Business School, as well as extensive marketing experience with the Walt Disney Company. She has designed and overseen the buildout of seven Pilates studios in Hong Kong; her two decades in the Pilates industry have led to an extensive network of connections, global resources and a firm belief in the endless global possibilities Pilates offers.
From 1998 until 2001, Bodywise founder Valerie Ezzo Lopata, trained in the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning under Romana Kryzanowska (protege of Joseph Pilates, master teacher and internationally recognized Pilates elder) She received her certification from The Pilates Studio in 2001, and opened the doors to Bodywise Pure Pilates.
Since then, she has continued her education by attending workshops with Pilates leaders Alycea Ungaro, Bob Liekens, Peter Fiascia, Sari Mejia Santo, Juanita Lopez and Mari Windsor.
From 2013-2014, Valerie was one of five certified Pilates instructors to be chosen to work under Alycea Ungaro of Real Pilates NYC for the inaugural year of her Synthesis Mentor Project.
In the winter of 2019, Bodywise Pure Pilates became a host studio for Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates Teacher Training.
Valerie brings with her over 2 decades of experience, working with clients young and old, from professional dancers and athletes to those new to fitness programs.
Real Pilates Lead Teacher Trainer & Fitness Expert Samantha Datz, has a wealth of experience in health promotion and management of physical fitness. Samantha is a dynamic leader with a strong background in exercise science and physiology. Her attention to details and encouraging, upbeat attitude inspire students to preform the Pilates techniques to their highest capabilities. She is a crusader for spreading happiness by way of health and fitness, continuously committed to furthering a movement of feel-good exercise and empowerment. Samantha has appeared on various media outlets; showcased in South Tampa Magazine "The Best of the Best Fitness Instructors" mentoring a competitor in the Biggest Loser Competition, and contributed to Shape.com and Market Watch and serves as a beauty, style, fitness expert brand spokesperson featured training co-hosts Jerry Penacoli and Cyndi Edwards of the nationally syndicated WFLA Daytime television show, as well as segments on ABC Suncoast View.
Phoebe Fennell is a classical Pilates trainer with over 15 years of experience - from pre- and post-natal to serious athletes to Pilates for performers of every kind. She began her Pilates journey in 2004 when she was an opera singer. She became more and more fascinated by the Pilates Method, and because of her experience as a singer, has been on the staff of the
Lotte Lehmann Akademie, a German summer program for young opera singers for 10 years. She completed her comprehensive training in Hamburg (The Pilates Standard, with Bob
Liekens) and later bridged to the Real Pilates Teacher Training program. She taught at Senso Studio in Berlin, Germany, for 7 1⁄2 years, but is beyond delighted to be back in New
York with the greatest Pilates teaching team in the world. Phoebe lives on Long Island with her two children and Jake the dog.
Nicole Kennedy, Founder and Owner of Empowered Body Pilates, discovered Pilates while dancing for internationally acclaimed San Francisco Ballet. It was during her time with SFB, Nicole encountered the Pilates method and quickly began utilizing it as her primary form of cross training, discovering the ways in which it could enhance her dancing.
After nearly a decade of practicing, teaching and mentoring, Nicole felt the need to reground herself within the foundational work and went back to being a student. In 2018, Nicole received her second Comprehensive Certificate with Alycea Ungaro's REAL ® Pilates®. In 2022, Nicole was promoted to Teacher Trainer for REAL® Pilates.
Nicole is the only host studio in California entrusted with the industry's most rigorous certification program. She is on a mission to uphold the lineage of Classical Pilates while creating livable and sustainable job opportunities for Pilates professionals in the South Bay.
Morgan Palmer Bolton has taught Piates and fitness since 2008 for major industry leaders in New York, London and Dallas, including Equinox, Flywheel Sports, Physique 57 and Barrecore in the UK. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University and is a PMA-CPT certified Pilates instructor. She is currently teaching classical Pilates at Pilates Methodology in Uptown Dallas, and is also an adjunct lecturer for the Division of Dance at SMU. Morgan is currently in the process to become a Lead Trainer for the esteemed Real Pilates Teacher Training program created by Alycea Ungaro out of New York City.
Melissa Miles has been teaching Classical Pilates since 2009. She completed her Mat
Certification and Comprehensive (studio apparatus) Certification at Power Pilates,
under the tutelage of Pilates elder, Bob Liekens and master trainer, Susan Moran. She
has taught at various NYC studios including Power Pilates, ZenGirl Fitness,
Grasshopper Pilates and The Pilates Boutique, where she is currently a Senior
Instructor and Teacher Trainer. Melissa is endlessly amazed at the ability of Pilates to
transform all bodies, from elite athletes to those recovering from debilitating illness and
injury, and everyone in between.
Additionally, Melissa is the Founder and Program Director of Teasers For Tatas, an
annual Pilates fundraiser for breast cancer research and patient resources, and is the
Pilates Mat instructor at Mount Sinai’s Dubin Breast Center.
She is also a Holistic Health Coach, certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in
2010. She coaches individual clients as well as corporate groups on successful
implementation of Lifestyle Modification.
Prior to her work in the Wellness industry, Melissa spent ten years in the medical
education field where she worked with diabetes experts to develop educational
programming for primary care physicians on the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.