Javier, Espe, Romana

There are countless occasions on which the teachers Javier Pérez Pont and Esperanza Aparicio Romero have remembered Romana Kryzanowska. Both studied under her tutelage in New York and were responsible for the discovery of the Pilates method in this country after her return and the opening of her first studio in Barcelona.
Today we share with you a little piece of her experience with the legendary disciple of Joseph Pilates.

Javier and Esperanza were introduced to contrologia years ago in Holland, when they were still professional dancers. From the beginning they were so impressed that they decided to train as teachers:

“After several years practising the method as any client, Esperanza and I decided to take a sabbatical year to learn this original, challenging and enigmatic exercise system. It was 1996 when, after a long and hard selection process, Romana allowed us to study with her in New York”.”

Romana did not accept just anyone. To be able to study with her, it was necessary to meet a series of requirements and pass a series of tests. As Esperanza tells us: “As well as being wonderful and tremendously generous, Romana was a self-critical and very demanding person, not only with herself, but also with those she knew she could be”.

And Javier and Esperanza were just such people. People used to hard work, sacrifice and discipline, always in search of perfection in everything they did. All these qualities made Romana open her doors to them and accept them as students. Javier in particular remembers with special affection the day he met her:

“I could talk about millions of memories, moments and feelings surrounding my relationship with Romana, but I would highlight our first meeting as magical.
We left for New York very excited, without ever having seen a photograph of her, to take our first class at 7 and 8 in the morning. We took the lift up to the sixth floor of the legendary Drago's Gym where she worked. When the door opened, she was standing there waiting for us. Immediately, as if we had known each other long before, we recognised each other. We advanced towards her and introducing ourselves with “Hi, I'm Romana Kryzanowska” she held out her right hand for me to kiss. I bowed like a good dancer and understood from that very second that this lady was going to change my life.

And not only Javier's, but Esperanza's as well. Both of them, whom Romana would later call “her Picassos”, had, quite deservedly, not only the privilege of learning from her teachings, but also of sharing with her a great friendship.

“On many occasions Romana told Javier and me that there were special beings and that we were one of those beings, unique, chosen to help others”.”

And knowing my teachers, I know Romana was not wrong. They have always remembered her with great affection, but also for more than 20 years they have faithfully passed on to their students all the wisdom that Romana passed on to them, thus respecting her and therefore Joe.

“Romana always said that she was no genius, that Joe was the genius and that she simply transmitted her teachings with humility and respect. But the truth is that she had such a great charisma that her presence alone was overwhelming. She was inspiring, she had light and an inner strength and character so great that she was capable of moving stones”, Esperanza tells us.

Undoubtedly, the appreciation and respect of our teachers for Romana will always live on, despite the fact that she left us years ago. And although that woman, who is largely responsible for the fact that contrology has now spread to the five continents, left us in 2013, those of us who are still by Javier and Esperanza's side are lucky enough to continue to see her light through them.

Thank you always Masters.
Thank you always Romana Kryzanowska.