Pilates Instructor of the month: Alycea Ungaro

Where do you teach?

New York

My teaching tips

 The most important aspects of teaching are the ones you don't learn in any training program.  Teaching is personal.  It is a one of a kind exchange between a teacher and a student.  As a teacher you hold the well-being of your students in your hands.  You have a tremendous obligation to teach to their particular body.  Not from a manual or formula but to the body in front of you.  All the information you need is laying in front of you.  You just have to see it.  The best advice I can give to any teacher is to constantly develop and hone your communication skills.  Become an adept listener.  Train your eyes so that you don't miss a thing when watching them workout.  And continually increase your word bank.  Find new ways to say simple things.  Expand your image and metaphor library so that your cues are fresh and different with every session.  These are the elements that make a truly spectacular teacher.

Favourite Exercise and reason why

 I'm fairly democratic about my exercise preferences.  Having said that, each year I cycle through moves that I discover new things about.  This year, it's the Swan Dive.  Every one of my students must do some version of the swan dive.  I've become keenly aware that yoga and exercise studios across the world throw material at their clients with no preparation or training and for the most part, students comply.  In Pilates we are expected to tiptoe around the exercise aspect of the method and only deliver subtle moves intended more for therapy than conditioning.  One look at Joe Pilates book Return to Life and you'll see that he was expecting the home exerciser to do these fairly challenging moves.  His original Swan Dive was a great exercise in overcoming inertia.  He starts from nothing and gradually gains strength and mobility.  This is the version I'm attached to right now!  It truly fights gravity.

In a nutshell, tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience in the industry

I have been practicing Pilates since 1982 and teaching Pilates since 1993.  I have had the honor and privilege of studying with a bevy of brilliant teachers as well as learning from each and every one of my students.  I enjoyed an early career as a dancer and once I retired I returned to school to become a physical therapist.  Since opening my studio in 1996 I have continually grown the business and my practice to include the creation and development of Pilates books, DVD's, and Props as well as training and events.  My latest product is a patent-pending Alignment Mat created specifically with the Pilates practitioner in mind.  I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoy all the aspects of running my business.  After all these years teaching, I still wake up each day excited to train my clients and thrilled to be able to practice Pilates.

Do you have a motto or mission statement?

My newest motto is that Pilates is Cross Training for Real Life. The most wonderful thing about Pilates is that it leaves the studio with you.  Competitive athletes use the term "cross training" to define the supplemental workouts they use to train and prepare their bodies for their sport.  I consider life to be our most important sport and Pilates to be the perfect training modality to prepare our bodies for daily living.  My mission is to bring Pilates to as many people as possible and share with them the idea that Pilates can dramatically improve your life.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

Pilates and business have contributed so much to my life.  I feel driven to continue to create more products for the community.  My interest in nutrition and wellness have been expanding as well and I see myself delving more heavily into a comprehensive wellness business with a Pilates foundation.  Then again, I would be just as happy starting all over and building something from scratch!  My entrepreneurial spirit will likely not let me rest on my laurels!