Owner Erica and her esteemed staff uphold a high professional standard. They strive to maintain a body-positive and goal-focused culture in the studio for success. They are friendly, upbeat, all-embracing, and multi-talented. Their teaching is thorough and tailored to your specific needs.
ERICA WALTERS
Studio Owner Pewee Valley & Co-Owner Louisville. Level 3 Certified Instructor, Real Pilates Teacher Training Host & Instructor Trainer, Level 1 GYROTONIC® Teacher in Training. B.S. Exercise Science.
Erica Walters is a force in the Pilates industry. She is a nationally known fitness expert, Pilates instructor, GYROTONIC® Method teacher, and author. Walters brought the legacy of Joseph H. Pilates and the GYROTONIC® Expansion System to Louisville, KY, and owns Pilates Fit Studio in Pewee Valley and Louisville. Her studios are Kentucky’s only Authentic Pilates Studios, a teacher-certification center for Real Pilates® of New York City, and she’s the first studio to offer the GYROTONIC® Method in the commercial space in Louisville.
Living in Louisville, KY, with her husband and young son, Walters has dedicated her work to sharing the gifts of Pilates and corrective exercise. She is sought after for her keen eye, understanding of body mechanics, and skill in custom programming for clients. Her teaching style is encouraging, motivating, and welcoming, emphasizing good technique, alignment, and control. Walters also mentors and certifies the next generation of Classical Pilates Teachers with Real Pilates® of New York City.
Originally from Southern California, Walters graduated from Arizona State University in Human Communications and completed a post-baccalaureate in Exercise Science from the University of Louisville. She is working on her master’s in Exercise and Sports Science at Tulane University and plans to complete it in December 2025.
Walters is a distinguished graduate of New York’s renowned Real Pilates Teacher Training® program, where she studied under Alycea Ungaro in New York City. Alycea Ungaro is a second-generation classical Pilates teacher, licensed physical therapist, and the Real Pilates Teacher Training® Program creator. Walters completed The Classical Syllabus® under second-generation teacher MeJo Wiggin and is also an Advanced Teacher Training program graduate with The Pilates Center of Boulder, CO. Erica is a level 1 GYROTONIC® Method teacher.
After graduating from ASU and certifying in Classical Pilates, she had the opportunity to travel and teach in Scottsdale, San Diego, and Dallas. Walters also served as an adjunct professor for the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at Oklahoma City University. She has been a guest writer for Pilates Style Magazine and led health and fitness videos for Blink Energy Water in Los Angeles. She’s been featured in Style Blueprint, Louisville Business, and the Arizona Republic and was one of Oldham County’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2021. She is often asked to give fitness advice in blogs and articles, such as Kentucky Living, Byrdie.com, Beaute Written, and redfin.com.
In 2020, Walters developed an online, at-home studio for Pilates and fitness with Lauren Bruker. They created multiple Pilates programs for beginners and intermediates, strength-specific programs, pro tips, and a focused series on osteoporosis and bad backs on their platform. Additionally, they brought on Louisville’s certified Pilates instructors and fitness trainers to include strength training, barre, yoga, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), and nutrition workshops on the platform. In 2022, they sold the online platform to a Canadian company.
In her free time, Walters enjoys gardening, refinishing old furniture, doing DIY projects, spending time with her young son, MJ, and husband, Mike, and being active outdoors with her basset hound and Labrador retriever.
LAUREN BRUKER
Level 3 Certified Teacher & Level 1 GYROTONIC® Teacher in Training. B.F.A. Dance. RPTT Approved Mentor.
Lauren Bruker Grew up dancing and playing sports and believes in the healing power of positive movement. After receiving a BFA in dance from the University of Illinois, she moved to New York to pursue a career in movement and fitness. In 2009, she was one of SoulCycle’s, NYC’s premier indoor cycling studio, first instructors. She helped open SoulCycle studios nationwide and expanded the company’s teacher training program from 2009 to 2017. During her career as an indoor cycling instructor, she experienced a lower back injury that brought her into Pilates. She started taking private lessons from Alissa Alter in New York City and was instantly hooked on the Pilates method. Lauren loved the one-on-one attention, the small group classes, and how Pilates helped alleviate the fatigue and imbalance her body had been experiencing for years. Since practicing Pilates, she has been injury-free for 5 years and counting!
Lauren graduated from the Somaspace Pilates Teacher Training with Amanda Vernor in Austin, Texas, in 2017. In 2019, Lauren continued her Pilates education and completed the Classical Syllabus teacher training with world-renowned Pilates Teacher MeJo Wiggin. In 2021, Lauren began the graduate program with New York’s renowned Real Pilates Teacher Training program at Pilates Fit Studio and graduated in 2022.
In 2020, Lauren worked closely with Erica Walters to develop an online fitness platform called Change30 Movement. Change30 Movement featured fitness and wellness video content from Louisville’s most sought-after fitness instructors and local businesses. Lauren worked with the video production team, wrote and edited content, and recorded multiple Pilates workouts. In 2022, they sold the online platform to a Canadian company.
In addition to her Pilates education, Lauren holds a NASM Personal Training certification, a 200-hour Yoga certification, and a BFA in dance from the University of Illinois. She is now a level 1 Gyrotonic® teacher in training.
Lauren is known as the “silent sculptor” in the studio due to her soft-spoken nature and effective workout sessions. Lauren is empathetic and compassionate towards her clients, recognizing that everyone comes to Pilates with unique challenges and goals. She creates a supportive and encouraging environment where clients feel comfortable and motivated to work towards their goals.
Her teaching mission as a certified Pilates instructor at our Louisville studio is to empower people to better understand themselves through practicing Pilates. While working with Lauren, you will be encouraged to try new things, take risks, and learn at the moment. She believes that Pilates is one of the best ways to measure your health and celebrate what your body can do.
SUSAN VIERS
Level 2 Certified Teacher, Co-Owner Pilates Fit Studio Louisville, & Studio Coordinator Pewee Valley. RPTT Approved Mentor.
Susan Viers was introduced to Pilates over 20 years ago and has practiced consistently. Physical movement has always been essential to her life, whether taking ballet and watching her mom do aerobics while growing up, running four mini-marathons, or doing numerous group exercise classes as an adult. Her mom taught her to keep moving; it didn’t necessarily matter what she did as long as she did something! The “something” that has inspired her most has always been Pilates, and she is excited to share this passion with others.
Susan began her path to getting certified in 2020 with New York’s renowned Real Pilates Teacher Training at Pilates Fit Studio and graduated in 2021. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s degree from Centre College and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Louisville, where she was awarded the Landrum Prize for Leadership. During her professional career, Susan received the Young Careerist Award, graduated from Leadership Louisville and Leadership Kentucky, and was named a “Top 40 Under 40” by Business First.
Susan is still active in the community, having served as president of the Junior League of Louisville and as a member of the Lobster Feast Committee for Actors Theatre.
With a strong belief that classical Pilates can benefit all bodies, Susan looks forward to working with all types of clients to help them increase strength, flexibility, and balance.
KARA PRICE
Level 2 Certified Teacher. RPTT Approved Mentor.
Kara Price thirsts for knowledge to keep learning and upskilling to provide skilled workouts for clients of all fitness levels. She deeply understands the Pilates method and its principles and has a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology. This knowledge allows Kara to create safe, effective, customized workouts for her clients. Kara pays close attention to clients’ form and technique, ensuring that exercises are performed correctly and safely. She also pays attention to the details of each client’s needs, preferences, and limitations and adjusts workouts accordingly.
Kara first experienced Pilates and yoga over twenty years ago while working as a professional dancer in Chicago. She quickly fell in love with physical training and mental centering. Soon, her practice grew into a passion for sharing these disciplines. Kara was first certified in Pilates through Body Balance and the PhysicalMind Institute.
Her dancing career led her to Miami, where she taught with the world-renowned Ana Caban at her Pilates studio, Progressive BodyWorks. That experience inspired her to move to New York City, where Brooke Siler took her under her wing as a student and teacher at her Pilates studio, re:AB. This is where her classical Pilates teaching and training grew deeper and also where her yoga journey blossomed. In 2021, Kara entered the graduate program with Real Pilates of NYC at Pilates Fit Studio and graduated in 2022.
With ten years of teaching Pilates, Kara began yoga teacher training at OM Yoga, where she found a mix of Buddhist mindfulness and practical anatomy that fit perfectly with her Pilates background.
Kara and her husband moved to Louisville to be closer to family. For the last ten years, she’s been teaching – and always learning –as a Pilates certified instructor here in Louisville.
Anita Park
Level 2 Certified Teacher
Anita has practiced Pilates for fifteen years and has been teaching since 2011. In 2018, Anita found Pilates Fit Studio and completed the 950-hour Advanced Teacher Training program with the Pilates Center of Boulder under Shelly Ruggiano and Erica Walters.
Since graduating from TPC, Anita has continued to study with Legacy Pilates teachers, including Chris Robinson, Alycea Ungaro, Shari Berkowitz, Juan Estrada, Michael Johnson, Christina Gadar, Kathy Ross Nash, and Brooke Siler.
Anita came to the Midwest from Canada to study music at the UI Jacobs School of Music. She then went on to get her PhD in Spanish (Hispanic Literature). While pursuing her degrees, one thing has remained constant: her love of moving and using movement to heal and stay balanced.
Anita is a multifaceted teacher who draws on her music and language experience. Anita is kind and patient and caters to each client’s needs.
Anita travels to Canada and Italy each summer with her husband and daughter. She loves to cook and is smitten with her cat, Fred.
Misty Covert
Level 1 Certified Teacher
Misty’s love for Pilates started when she discovered the Mari Windsor workout set in 2001. She has been practicing in studio Pilates for four years, from mat workouts to practicing at a contemporary Pilates studio. She discovered Pilates Fit Studio in 2020 and uncovered her passion for Classical Pilates. Pilates has helped Misty feel stronger and more confident.
In the fall of 2022, Misty began the 600-hour Real Pilates Teacher Training program at Pilates Fit Studio. Now that she has graduated from the program, she is eager to share her passion with you!
Brynna Markee
Level 1 Certified Teacher
Brynna is brimming with youthful energy and a deep passion for the Pilates method. She has completed NYC’s rigorous, comprehensive Real Pilates Teacher Training program at our studio. Brynna’s dedication and passion for the classical Pilates method are evident in her confident (yet sweet) teaching style. She is ready to inspire and guide clients on their own Pilates journey.
Minty
Level 2 Certified Teacher, GYROTONIC® Instructor
Minh-Tuan Nguyen (Minty) is a passionate movement educator with more than 12 years of teaching experience. He has had a career as a professional dancer, choreographer, and ballet instructor. He became a certified GYROKINESIS® trainer in 2022 and has studied with master trainers from around the US. He fell in love with the GYROTONIC® movement method by training with master trainer Alicia Head in 2009. The classes changed his approach to ballet and improved his overall vitality. He’s excited to bring the joy of movement to others.
Minh-Tuan danced at Milwaukee Ballet II, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Lexington Ballet, and most recently, Louisville Ballet. As a professional dancer, he’s enjoyed working with dancers, choreographers, and teachers worldwide. Some of his favorite roles and ballets have been Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Walking Pas in Emeralds, the Nutcracker Prince in The Brown-Forman Nutcracker, and Grass is Green by Ching Ching Wong. He has taught and choreographed at Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Lauridsen Ballet Centre, Academy of Fine Arts, Studio B, Burklyn Ballet, and Louisville Ballet. He attended California State University of Long Beach for Dance.
Minh-Tuan believes in finding strength and mobility through correct alignment and coordination. He has high goals and has confidence that everyone can meet them with coaching.
He enjoys playing tennis, rock climbing, board games, and spending time with his dog Bolin.
