For more than 50 years, Romana Kryzanowska has been putting students through vigorous Pilates workouts. Now in her early 80s, Romana remains a bundle of energy and wisdom, helping others improve their strength and flexibility through her Romana’s Pilates series. She learned the routines—which combine martial arts, gymnastics, yoga and ancient Greek training techniques—from founder Joseph Pilates. When Pilates died in 1968, Romana, his oldest living disciple, took over his studio and kept his legacy alive. She has taught and certified more than 1,000 Pilates instructors. Her international clients include dancers, celebrities and athletes. A former student of famed choreographer George Balanchine, Romana danced for the National Ballet of Peru. Today, she uses Pilates to maintain the flexibility of someone a third of her age.