Welcome to therapeutic pilates. I am a licensed Physical Therapist and certified Pilates instructor. I offer one on one Patient care, hour long hands on sessions, as well as private and duo pilates In Center City. The holistic practice incorporates traditional and non traditional Physical Therapy techniques for pain management.

Like Physical Therapy, Pilates focuses on relieving pain and healing the body, pairing specific techniques of strengthening and stretching with manual work. The practice of Therapeutic Pilates specializes in pelvic and chronic pain including pre and post partum issues.

With a Physical Therapist perspective and 34 years of Pilates experience I am in a unique position to work with clients who have multiple needs and backgrounds.

Therapeutic Pilates explores the path of physical healing and pain management, by way of both traditional and non traditional techniques of Physical Therapy. I will work closely with you find pain free methods to heal and revitalize your body. I offer expertise in the following areas:

 

  • Teaching Pilates correctly & pain free

  • Help with chronic pain

  • orthopedic injuries

  • back or joint pain

  • Manual Trigger Point Therapy

  • Orthopedic modifications

  • Post-rehab transition

  • VIRTUAL PHYSICAL THERAPY

  •  VIRTUAL PRIVATE / DUO PILATES

 
 
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Strengthening Stretching Private Pilates Work

  • Using Balanced Body Pilates Equipment – Reformer. Cadillac, Exo-Chair & Arc

  • More than 35 years Pilates Experience

  • Private & Duo Pilates Mat/Equipment Lessons

  • Pre & Post-Natal Pilates

  • Pre-certification Pilates training available

  • Athlete stretching pre & post race & injury prevention

    *All Mat Pilates and Stretch available Virtually

Fine-Tuned Pilates Mat Class

This is a one hour mat class which allows for multiple levels and body types. The classes are challenging yet provide individual modifications for pain free precision of movement to achieve inner core stability and strength, thereby each person can have a fulfilling and successful experience. Pilates stresses strengthening in a lengthened position with constant attention to the core muscles surrounding the spine. Effective, safe and fun! Special attention is offered to people with chronic pain and/or history of orthopedic injury/back or joint pain. This class is perfect for anyone but is safe for the post rehab person with emphasis on orthopedic modifications.

Pilates Barre Class

This is a fun higher intensity, but all level class, done largely standing. Equipment needed is a household chair and a Pilates Magic Circle. Pilates exercises and principles are incorporated throughout this hour long class with attention to alignment and core activation. Every class is tailored to align with your individual body and needs.

Hands on, One-on-One Physical Therapy

  • Pain issues addressed in first visit

  • Detailed Evaluation of Posture , Gait & Sleep Analysis

  • Ergonomic evaluation

  • Specifically tailored Home Exercises

  • Manual Trigger Point Therapy – Joint Mobilizations, Osseous Adjustments, Medical Massage, Manual Stretching and Traction

  • Pilates Based hands on strengthening instruction with attention to detail and form

  • Stretch work for long strong pain free function and optimization

  • Therapeutic Kineseology Taping

  • Therapeutic Cupping and Sliding Cupping

  • Gua Sha (Soft Tissue Mobilization)

  • Myofascial Release Therapy

  • TMD Temporomandibular (Including Intraoral) Work

Work & Roll - Lunch Time Foam Rolling Class

This half hour by request foam rolling class gets you off of your computer and away from your desk to soften painful or tight muscles while increasing circulation and flexibility. Needed: a 36” x 6” foam roller (of any firmness that works for you) and a rug or mat. All bodies welcome - there is some core strength needed but modifications are always offered.

Stretching Workshops

I offer 3 hour group stretch workshops as well as private stretch sessions which vary between one to two hours. Take home techniques with and without props are taught to keep muscles lengthened independently. People are challenged while protecting joints and muscles learning what to stretch and how to strengthen with length, not bulk.

Features:

  • Anatomical knowledge for optimal stretch

  • Optimizing athletes form and performance

  • Injury Prevention for all athletic events

  • Increased flexibility for daily life activities and pain free functioning

 
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Fine Tuned Pilates

VIRTUAL CLASSES

barre pilates - Tuesdays 6:15Pm  

mat pilates - Thursdays 9:30am

work & roll - Mondays 12-12:30Pm

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Workshops

I also run intimate Pilates Intensive Workshops for Beginners, Intermediate, & Advanced. There are a maximum of 10 participants invited per workshop, with hands on attention and personalized modifications. Each class focuses on one of the six Pilates principals, exercising a myriad of mat-based exercises from the Pilates classical 34, in a Six Week series.

Other available workshops:

  • On-Site Ergonomics/Posture Workshops

  • Baby lifting Body Mechanics Workshops (For Moms, Dads, and Caregivers)

  • Breastfeeding Body Mechanics Workshops

  • All workshops are available virtually

*Workshop times and dates vary. For the current schedule please fill out a contact form by clicking below or by calling or texting (215)-834-9799.

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Physical Therapy Sessions

Initial Evaluation (1.5 hrs): $225

Hourly Sessions: $175/hr

10 Pack [Discounted]: $1550 ($155/per)

5 Pack [Discounted]: $800 ($160/per)

Home Care Visit: $200/hr

10 Home Care Pack [Discounted]: $1850 ($185/per)

Virtual Session: $80/30 min

Virtual Ergonomic Assessment & Treatment: $80/30 min

Pilates Sessions

Private Pilates Session: $155/hr

10 Pack: $1450 ($145/per)

5 Pack: $745 ($150/per)

Duo Pilates Session: $160/hr [$80 per person]

Virtual Pilates Private Mat: $115/hr

Virtual Pilates Mat Duo: $136/hr [$68 per person]

*Virtual Group Pilates Mat/Barre Class: $28

*Work & Roll Foam Rolling Class: $20/30 min

*Screen recordings of class sessions are available upon request

*Discount Packages good for one year from date of purchase

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Therapeutic Pilates

Address:

1536 Catharine St

Philadelphia, PA 19146

 

Open: monday - friday
 

Email: gailartpt@aol.com


PHONE/text: (215)-834-9799

 
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Certifications

  • Pilates Certified Instructor for full mat repertoire and equipment including Reformer, Chair, Arc and Cadillac

  • Upledger Cranio Sacral certified practitioner

  • Diastisis Recti Rehabilitation

  • Rehabilitation of the Pelvic Floor

  • Pain management strategies for Pelvic Floor Disorder

  • Pilates for Osteoperosos

  • Practical Pilates for Clinicians

  • Pilates for Chronic Pain

  • Pilates for Sacro-Iliac and Pelvic Girdle Dysfunction

  • Pilates Post-Rehabilitation Programs for Hip and Knee Replacement

  • Lumbo -Pelvic Dysfunction: A Functional Manual Therapy Approach

  • Kinesiology Taping and Movement Assessment Strategies

  • Muscle Energy Techniques of the Spine and Extermities

  • Treatment Solutions for Balance, Dizziness, and Vestibular Disorders

  • Practical Ethics Applications for Health Care Providers

  • Therapeutic Qigong for Neck and Shoulder Rehabilitation

  • Comprehensive Treatment of the shoulder

  • Intramuscular/Trigger Point Dry Needling (PT’s are currently not able to practice dry needling in PA)

  • VBarre Certified

  • Advanced CPR

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Testimonials

 
“I found Gail Kotel 5 years ago after being run over by a Septa Bus. She is a physical therapist… pilates instructor… masseuse… muscle worker… Chinese medicine enthusiast… body coach… rolled into one extraordinary being. I live an energetic, pain free life because of what she aids me in doing to/with my body each week. I am stronger than I was before my accident and I intend to live a very long productive life as long as I can get my Kotel fix each week.”
— Toby Shawe, MD
“What I like most about my Pilates lessons with Gail is that she describes perfectly the movement we have to do with our muscles so that we get the correct position. I feel I’m not moving purposelessly just trying to make some impossible pose for my level. In fact, that supposedly super easy pose is really hard if done right. Gail makes sure I do that.”
— Esther Alarcon
“I have participated in sports my whole life and I have always had very poor flexibility. Now, in my mid-forties I am a runner and a triathlete. Sadly, I have had to drop out of several races over the past few years due to injury. All of these injuries were the result of over-training in combination with poor flexibility and inadequate core strength. Recently, I started training for The New York City Marathon and with my history, I was concerned about another injury. I worked with Gail leading up to the race and she helped tremendously. The difference in my flexibility was remarkable. She worked directly with me on flexibility and gave me a toolbox of exercises to do on my own. In addition to the physical techniques, Gail has a wonderfully therapeutic presence that helped me on my way through training. I completed the marathon feeling better than ever and injury free. There is no way I could have done it without her.”
— Douglas Esberg
“I was originally referred to Gail by a group pilates instructor. Due to my major scoliosis, the instructor thought Gail’s expertise as a physical therapist and pilates instructor would be a great fit for me. She was right. Gail has helped stabilize and even reduce the curve of my spine. If that wasn’t enough, she also has helped me with a myriad of physical issues, including helping me to feel my toes, rendered numb from a severe injury. While no physician has been able to help me, Gail has. I cannot say enough about Gail Kotel. Gail is a true healer, who uses her knowledge, skill, experience and intuition to help her patients live healthier, more comfortable lives. Thank you Gail Kotel.”
— Iris H.
“Gail Kotel is an exceptionally intelligent, competent, and versatile physical therapist., who is imaginative and creative in the disciplined, but non-routinized and dynamic way in which she works with clients and patients. She is also highly attuned to the distinctive attributes of their bodies, and emphathically responsive to their psyches and their life- situations. She has been a therapeutic presence in my life in all these ways throughout the three years that I have been her patient. She makes it possible for me to tap into, and strengthen both the inner and outer resources that I have to physically navigate and function.”
— Renee C. Fox, PhD
“Gail’s a very intuitive therapist who listens and teaches and goes at your own pace. I’m always impressed by her attention to detail. She’ll pick up the slightest nuance in body movement and adjust it to help me move correctly and, ultimately, feel better. Over the course of several years, Gail has helped me understand my body and, in doing so, given me the tools I need to live a healthier life.”
— Jim McGorman
“Gail’s Pilates class is a fabulous workout based on the principles of Joe Pilates. She emphasizes proper alignment and provides corrections to ensure you are optimizing your practice. I love that she’s a Physical Therapist by training and offers accommodations for any ailments.”
— Meryl Tucker
“Before my first appointment with Gail I called to cancel because I was in too much pain to begin Pilates. She said: “Being in that much pain is not a reason to cancel the appointment, it is a reason to keep the appointment”. Although skeptical, I kept the appointment and in one hour she was able to reduce my pain and teach me how to lay in bed to be able to sleep. One year later, because she listens and understands, pain free has become my normal expectation.

Gail is a licensed Physical Therapist in her own practice and a long tenured Pilates instructor. I began with her when I finally felt well enough to work to avoid a recurrence. As I mentioned, she has dramatically helped me, including analyzing that the way I walk exacerbates things and teaching me how to walk better. Sessions consist of an hour of 1 on 1 Physical Therapy a week. The amazing thing is she listens and applies her knowledge and intuition to tailor specific exercises to what I need.”
— Mark Bernstein
“Gail, I am so grateful for how you diagnosed and treated all my body issues and encouraged me to do Pilates. When I came to you, I could hardly walk a mile without debilitating pain in my back and neck, now I am able to run and hike. Also, I finally went ice skating with my son after years of being too afraid to make my back pain worse. I feel strong and capable, and I’m having fun again! Thank you!! ”
— Rebecca
 
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Do I need to bring anything on my first visit?

For your first visit please bring or wear the following:

  • Shoes you have been wearing for at least 3 months (for a shoe wear evaluation)

  • Shorts or pants that easily go above the knee

  • Sports Bra/Tank top

  • Any relevant radiology films/reports for your current issue

  • Any written reports from doctors or other practitioners if available and relevant

Do you accept insurance?

Therapeutic Pilates Physical Therapy is a boutique service currently accepting full reimbursement for Flexible Spending Benefits/HSA ONLY.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to change or cancel your appointment for any reason, please give 24 hours notice via text or phone to avoid being charged for your session.

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