“I consulted with Alaine Emens after I’d been in physical therapy for a while for a torn meniscus. I tore it in an ice fall and made it worse while rehearsing a dance routine for a show. My therapist did a great job addressing the knee itself, but I felt that perhaps I wouldn’t have gotten the injury if I was more solidly fit in my legs, glutes and core. At 66, Alaine gave me a series of exercises to address those issues — including chair squats. My therapist’s reaction was, “If she’s got you doing chair squats, and you’re having good results, great. I was about to move you on to them soon anyway.” More than 6 months later, I’m still doing the series Alaine gave me every other day or so, and I feel overall very fit and strong. I feel I am ready to return to the ballroom, square and contra dancing I enjoy. Plus, I live part of the year in New York City. Strong legs and good balance are essential for getting around, even getting up and down the stairs to the subway. Alaine’s great quality is her empathetic understanding of the human body — especially the older one — and the solid fundamentals needed to keep it in top shape.”

— Nunzio L (New York, NY)