Donna Longo
Owner & 2nd Generation Pilates Instructor
Donna has had the honor and privilege to have been trained under the direct tutelage of master instructor, Romana Kryzanowska, one of the Pilates Elders and protege of Joseph Pilates. Donna discovered Pilates as a professional ballet dancer when living in NYC. An injury brought her to Performing Arts Physical Therapy where she successfully utilized Pilates in her rehabilitation. Donna received her certification in 1992 through The Pilates Guild and was asked by Romana to help facilitate the training of the apprentices at their Los Angeles studio, which led her on the path of teacher training. She later worked for Sichel Chiropractic, now Power Pilates, and various other medical professionals in NYC before opening her first studio in New Jersey in 1995.
30 years later, Donna is still, more than ever, dedicated to preserving not only the integrity of the Method as it was handed down to her but also the style of teacher training and personal mentorship that she learned from Romana, hoping to inspire others in the same way. Now, she is passionate about expanding its reach into the wider community so all those in need have access to experience the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits it can provide. To that end, she is in the process of building a mobile studio to be able to take the essential Pilates equipment to those in need and working to provide access to shelters, addiction facilities, youth programs, cancer patients, etc.
Donna also holds three certificates in Thai Yoga Bodywork, including a study abroad training in Thailand, and has recently obtained her certification as a Cancer Exercise Specialist through CETI, as well as Pilates for Neurological Conditions.
Certified Instructors & Apprentices
All of our wonderful instructors have had or are under-going a comprehensive certification program in pure Classical Pilates to ensure your safety and maintain the integrity of Joseph Pilates' work. They are trained to modify and tailor all sessions to meet your individual needs.
“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”
