Pilates Instructors at Pure Pilates

Daria Pace Senior Instructor Trainer

I started taking ballet and movement class with my grandma, (Romana Kryzanowska) when I was 3 years old.  I didn’t have any idea that grandma was giving me and my friends Pilates because it was Fun!  Whoever heard of exercising being so much fun!  I had no idea how influential and important grandma and my mother were in the Pilates world, although I always knew all about Uncle Joe and Clara.  My mother Sari and her brother Paul were called “Pilates babies” by Joe himself.  They both did Pilates very young as well.  I was the next generation of Pilates babies since I was at the studio all the time!  I was turning the equipment into toys and getting frustrated when my toys had to be destroyed for exercise!  When I was born with a congenital hip dislocation, Romana and Sari got my leg stronger through Pilates.  At eight I started at School of American Ballet, the School for New York City Ballet.  I was in many performances and continued to use Pilates to improve my technique as well as keep my hip in alignment.  I quit ballet and dance for a few years and then while attending Emerson College in Boston a friend talked me into taking a Pilates lesson at the studio again.  I rediscovered what it could do to help people physically and mentally and how much my mother and grandma did for people and I was hooked.  I re-found my love and enthusiasm for it and immediately pursued my certification.  Now I help run the international Pilates certification, Romana’s Pilates.  After teaching alongside my mom and grandma for about 10 years, I relocated with my husband Klery to Florida and love living here.

Karen Winselmann Owner/Instructor

From early in her childhood Karen Winselmann loved the fine arts, especially music and dance. Born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in north-central New Jersey, Karen played piano, clarinet and oboe as well as studied ballet. In high school she focused on art and played in both the marching and concert bands - the latter recognized two years winning state honors. Additionally, she won first-chair oboe not only for the high school state orchestra but also symphonic bands. Karen choreographed many dance sections for the high school theatrical performances and also continued her dance training including acceptance into the summer dance program at North Carolina School of the Arts.

After high school graduation, Karen chose to focus her college education in dance. First at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and then transferring and graduating from Florida State University, in 1983, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree, majoring in Dance. At Florida State University, Karen taught ballet & agility training to the Florida A&M University football team.

Upon graduation, rather than pursue dance opportunities, Karen entered the business world where for over 15 years pursued a career in Human Resource Management. While working full-time, Karen continued her education and graduated from Nova Southeastern University, in 1992, with a MBA degree specializing in International Business.

For many years, Karen continued to stay involved in the fine arts by supporting the local Ballet, Philharmonic, and Opera companies. In 2001, Karen began studying Pilates and embarked upon a journey of transition from the corporate world to the Pilates world. Immediately, Karen discovered Pilates to be not only challenging but also rewarding to both the body and the mind. No longer able to resist the pull of her "Second Act" Karen had been keeping on the back burner since high school -- Karen left the corporate world in 2002 to concentrate on a career in Pilates by enrolling in the Pilates Studio of New York Teacher Certification Program. Upon becoming a Certified Instructor, Karen initially worked as an Independent Contractor in both Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, FL prior to opening her own studio - Pure Pilates. In November 2006, Karen successfully completed the Romana's Pilates® Instructor Training Program with a Level 5 Instructor status.

Nikki Mayer  Instructor

Nikki Mayer discovered Pilates in New York, 1997.  After her very first class she drove home feeling taller, leaner and completely energized.  Pilates became such an obsession that she bartered for her lessons, giving her time as a receptionist for her local Pilates studio.  A year and a half later, Nikki’s teacher told her she had a talent and discipline and should consider becoming a Pilates Instructor.

Nikki completed the Pilates training with Authentic Pilates, studying under Master Teacher and Pilates' protégé Romana Kryzanowska.  She became certified in June, 2001.  She has since worked at Pilates studios in New York and South Florida.

Throughout her years of teaching, Nikki has expanded her practice to include yoga and Feldenkrais.  Her specialty is helping clients with scoliosis achieve better balance.  Her philosophy is if the body and breath are in balance, harmony of the mind will follow.