26 Facts About Callan Pinckney

Callan Pinckney was born on September 26,1939, in Savannah, Georgia.

Callan Pinckney was born with spinal curvatures, one hip higher than the other and severely turned-in feet.

When Callan Pinckney reached London, she worked manual labor jobs such as shoveling coal and snow for eight hours for little more than $3 a day.

Callan Pinckney worked part of the time tracking animal migrations in the wild.

Callan Pinckney went first to Mumbai, India and then to Sri Lanka.

Callan Pinckney wrote about her experiences on the road for a Japanese magazine, modeled miniskirts, and managed a bar with Western waitresses.

Callan Pinckney was in constant pain and in an attempt to alleviate her suffering she turned first to ballet and then to yoga and toning classes.

Callan Pinckney trained in the Martha Graham dance technique at The Place.

Callan Pinckney attended the Rehabilitation Exercise Studio set up by German dancer Lotte Berk.

However, after disagreements with the owner regarding the exercise regimen, Callan Pinckney quit the studio.

Callan Pinckney found ways to protect her back and increase the effectiveness of different exercises.

Callan Pinckney learned how to strengthen and alleviate the pain from her knees.

Callan Pinckney discovered that she could quickly tone her muscles using these new movements.

In 1984, after seven years of teaching Callanetics, Pinckney published her first book, Callanetics: 10 Years Younger In 10 Hours.

Callan Pinckney was profiled in Time and People magazines and appeared on many chat shows.

In 1987, Pinckney trained one of her advanced students to become the first certified Callanetics instructor.

Toward the end of 1987 Callan Pinckney was invited to represent the United States in the World Elephant Polo Competition in Nepal.

Callan Pinckney put together the Callanetics Ladies Team which included amongst others orca trainer Judy Peterson.

Callan Pinckney believed that many people were suffering back problems due to the radical fitness movement in the United States during that period.

In March 1989 Pinckney traveled to London to promote a paperback edition of the original Callanetics book in Harrods department store.

In November 1990, Pinckney decided to set up a franchise for Callanetics studios and introduce a proper teacher training program.

Callan Pinckney opened the Callanetics Franchise Corporation with headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

Callan Pinckney set up a new Manhattan studio in the attic of Carnegie Hall to be run by her student Ruth Jeffries.

In 1995, Pinckney published her final book Callanetics: Fit Forever.

Callan Pinckney included an eating plan and aerobic exercise that would increase the heart rate but without sharp, jarring movements, leaping up and down to loud music or pressure on the back or joints.

Callan Pinckney continued to advise instructors on her program for several years before entering retirement in 1998.