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Promoting  Pilates & Wellbeing in Our Community

Christa Gurka’s reputation is renowned in the South Florida market. An orthopedic physical therapist specializing in Pilates-based fitness, rehabilitation and injury prevention, she is highly respected and recognized among the Pilates and physical therapy communities. With a contagious energy and palpable passion, she has gained her a clientele of both local fitness enthusiasts and high-profile athletes, including Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, WNBA veteran Ruth Riley, pro volleyball player Kelly Schumacher, and pro golfers Cristie Kerr and Natalie Gulbis.

Education

Christa’s mission to help others live their best lives began after she received a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 1999. As the director of a private physical therapy practice specializing in orthopedic PT, she discovered and fell in love with Pilates and the remarkable benefits it has on the body and mind. Christa went on to receive her Pilates training through Polestar Education and is a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) Certified Pilates Practitioner. An active member of the PMA since 2015, she is credentialed as a PMA-approved continuing education provider and has presented at the PMA National Conference. 

Always seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and expand the scope of her studios’ services, Christa has pursued several advanced continuing education certifications in the areas of functional movement screening, corrective exercise, manual therapy and myofascial release techniques. She is a Level 2 SFMA practitioner, John F. Barnes Myofascial Release therapist and Level 1 Kinesiotaping specialist. Additionally, with her extensive knowledge of sports programming, Christa is  certified in golf-specific training and has served as staff physical therapist for numerous PGA and LPGA golf tournaments.

In the Studios

Christa owns, operates, and teaches at Pilates in the Grove, which serves the Coconut Grove and South Miami communities with two premier South Florida locations. Her studios set the benchmark in Pilates instruction and physical therapy interventions, with most of the instructors holding advanced degrees and boasting well-rounded backgrounds in physical therapy, occupational therapy, dance movement therapy and nutrition. The studios also adhere to a low student-teacher ratio, and the services the studios offer put them well ahead of fitness trends including Physical Therapy, Pilates for Rehabilitation, Pilates for Athletes and NeuroMuscular Reprogramming and Re-education.

In the Community

Outside of the studio, Christa, a wife and mom to two boys, donates her time and talent to a number of non-profit groups, including the Barnyard of Coconut Grove Cares, Breakthrough Miami and the GirlKind Project, which inspires and empowers young women. She also provides Pilates-based strengthening and injury prevention programming to elementary schools, high school sports teams and local athletic events.