Biography Revisited

Please find below an annotated version of a previously published biography. And yes, I understand that finding "A Life in Balance" includes finding the time to create new and interesting blog material; however, as that has yet to happen, I humbly submit the following.

ROMINA M. LAYGO
A BIOGRAPHY

Born in New York and raised near the southern coastal town of Savannah, Georgia, Romina Laygo was exposed to the gambit of multiculturalism from the Old South to the Old World. Her native Filipino parents ingrained in her the customs fused from their Spanish, Asian and Pacific Island ancestors. (Typical set up - square peg moves to round hole. Think Imelda Marcos in the Gabor role in "Green Acres".)

Ms. Laygo’s creative life began at an early age with extensive dance training in ballet, tap and jazz. This led her to moderate success at various Professional Dance Teachers of America competitions and an alternate spot in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Dance program. She also toured with a Filipino dance group that spread the culture of the Philippines throughout the schools and churches of Georgia. (Basically the only dance school in town; hidden behind a gift shop. The style was very drill team meets Flashdance. And the Filipino dancing? I can't even tell you how popular it made me. I mean how cool was I in the middle of the South performing dances that mimic the movement of ducks and cranes dancing in rice paddies?)

In college, Ms. Laygo performed with Syracuse Dance and Other Works Theatre Company and also served as a dancer/choreographer with Syracuse University Dance Works. She served as Assistant Director in the production of a dance extravaganza with a cast of over 150. (Syracuse is freakin' cold. The assistant director gig was tough. Try herding 150 college coeds. And I'm not talking to you Joe Francis founder of "Girls Gone Wild".)

Ms. Laygo went on to serve as the Creative Director of Savannah Dance, a city run organization whose goal was to bring the art of dance to underprivileged members of society. She was also a member of the ten person dance group Company & Clark which most notably performed at the 1996 Olympic yachting competition opening ceremony. (City run organization...imagine the accolades. Opening ceremony? Well, that was the year it was held in Atlanta which happens to be landlocked. So Savannah got the yachting competition, and I got to dance at the opening ceremonies. As did pretty much every other dog and pony show in the city. But it does sound impressive.)

With her dance life behind her, Ms. Laygo immersed herself in various forms of physical activity from step aerobics to cardio barre to spinning to heavy weight lifting. After exhausting herself to the point of injury, Ms. Laygo joined a Classical Pilates Studio. There she discovered something beyond a series of exercises. She discovered a method. (Two hours a day in the gym lifting weights. What an idiot.)

Within weeks her hard muscles gave way to a supple form. Mindless exercise was cast aside in favor of a more substantial mental-physical regimen. Ms. Laygo became so enamored with the challenge and the kindness of the movement, she enrolled in a Pilates teacher training program. As she delved deeper into the history of Pilates and engrossed herself with over six hundred exercises, she developed a need to take her passion for the discipline outside of the studio. (Childbirth aside, the most physically challenging time of my life.)

After doing some research, she quickly discovered that there was little out there in the form of Pilates inspired clothing. While Yoga has permeated the fitness market with catchy slogans and eastern imagery, Pilates has not quite hit the mark. Additionally, the introduction of hybrid disciplines into the main stream – Yogalates, Polelates – has deluded the original intent of Pilates to the point of confusion for the average consumer. Armed with this knowledge, Ms. Laygo started her line of Pilates inspired clothing, jewelry and accessories. She named it “Joe & Clara” in homage to the Method founders Joseph and Clara Pilates. (Ah, and the name of a blog was born.)

With bold graphics and flattering fits, Ms. Laygo hopes to fuse fashion with the balanced silhouette of Pilates form. With the “teaser” pendant, Ms. Laygo mimics the athleticism of Pilates’ most recognizable exercise while infusing a fluid, expressive shape. From the launch in July of 2006, Joe & Clara has grown to include stationery as well as a “studio branding” program. With the continued support of her talented friends and family, she hopes to meet her goal of creating fashion forward gear tailored specifically for the Pilates enthusiast. (New designs are coming. I promise. Cut me some slack. You know, the whole life changing baby thing.)

For more information, please visit the website at www.JoeandClara.com. (Enter imaginary theme music here.)

Coming soon: "The Importance of the Inhale" and "Why I Choose to Work, Even Though I Don't "Have" To"