Rael Isacowitz received his bachelor of education degree from the Wingate Institute in Israel, where he was later invited to join the faculty, and his master of arts degree in dance from the University of Surrey in England. He worked extensively as a professional dancer and dance educator in Israel, England, Australia, and the United States. Rael was introduced to Pilates in the late 1970s and has since been practicing and teaching Pilates throughout the world.
In 1989, Rael founded BASI (Body Arts and Science International) Pilates, a comprehensive Pilates educational organization spanning the globe. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, BASI Pilates is represented in more than 50 countries. Over 50,000 students have experienced the BASI teacher training programs, Learn From the Leaders conferences, and other advanced workshops and continuing education courses.
Rael spearheaded the development of BASI Interactive, a one-of-a-kind elearning platform, and he designed the original concepts for BASI Systems Pilates equipment. Rael has written two bestselling books that have been translated into multiple languages: Pilates (Human Kinetics) and Pilates Anatomy (Human Kinetics), the latter of which was coauthored by Karen Clippinger. He has published a series of comprehensive workbooks that serve as a road map for professionals. With over 1,000 pages of content, these workbooks (which are used in the BASI Legacy Program) cover everything from the basics to the most advanced repertoire. In the early 2000s, Rael was featured in a series of DVDs that remain universally popular today. He was a founding board member of Pilates Method Alliance. He has written for, and been featured in, professional publications such as Pilates Style magazine, for which he was the Q&A expert for over seven years.
Rael is honored to be part of the great legacy of Pilates teachers and mentors. He has studied from, and taught with, luminaries of the Pilates world, including several first-generation Pilates teachers. Among these Pilates elders was Kathy Grant, who Rael regards as his greatest teacher and mentor.
Rael’s myriad contributions to Pilates as a teacher, author, and innovator are recognized and respected internationally. Passion, compassion, and excellence guide Rael in all he does. Creativity and commitment permeate his work and his daily practice. Rael brings to Pilates a unique athleticism—a synthesis of body, mind, and spirit.
