Meet our Team
Rachel Miller, PT, DPT
Dr. Rachel Miller is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified Pilates instructor, and founder of The Pilates PT. She graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University and then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in 2004. She is passionate about educating and is a professional mentor and certified Clinical Instructor. Her strengths include looking at the body holistically and combining Pilates with Physical Therapy. She has developed and taught courses for rehab and fitness professionals such as Pilates Anatomy and Activation, Core and Pelvic Floor, and Pilates for Rehabilitation.
Dr. Rachel's dance background and love for fitness led her to Pilates, earning a mat and standing Pilates certification through Physical Mind Institute in 2008. She continued her Pilates training with a comprehensive certification through Balanced Body. Spending time with her husband, 2 boys and 2 dogs keeps her busy but happy. She often teaches classes and workshops in the community and teaches a weekly mat pilates class at Heather's Gym.
After becoming a Mom, she realized the lack of postpartum education and the need for better care for new (and not so new) moms. Her continuing education has focused on manual therapy of the pelvis and spine, Diastasis Recti, and pelvic floor Physical Therapy. She is a certified Pre and Postnatal Corrective Exercise specialist, and co-authored an online pre/postnatal certification for fitness instructors.
Felisha Bartnicki, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT
Dr. Felisha Bartnicki is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist, and a certified Pilates Instructor. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Marquette University in 2012 and later pursued post-doctoral education by completing her residency in orthopedic physical therapy with Evidence in Motion.
She has worked in a variety if outpatient settings, treating orthopedic, sports medicine, and oncology diagnoses. As a former dancer, Dr Felisha has a special understanding and appreciation of human body movement. She has had the opportunity to combine her love for dancing with her passion for physical therapy by working with dancers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, including the company members of the Joffrey Ballet. It was working with this unique population that ultimately led to her interest in treating the pelvic floor, with a special interest in pelvic pain and urinary incontinence. She is passionate about helping her patients identify and achieve their personal goals to live a healthier, happier life. She believes in a holistic approach and uses Pilates principles and exercises combined with a variety of physical therapy techniques. She has advanced training in dry needling, myofascial release, and joint mobilization/manipulations.
When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs. She believes if you find something you love, get one in every color, so she and her husband have three Labrador retrievers- one of each color.
Dr. Felisha Bartnicki is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist, and a certified Pilates Instructor. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Marquette University in 2012 and later pursued post-doctoral education by completing her residency in orthopedic physical therapy with Evidence in Motion.
She has worked in a variety if outpatient settings, treating orthopedic, sports medicine, and oncology diagnoses. As a former dancer, Dr Felisha has a special understanding and appreciation of human body movement. She has had the opportunity to combine her love for dancing with her passion for physical therapy by working with dancers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, including the company members of the Joffrey Ballet. It was working with this unique population that ultimately led to her interest in treating the pelvic floor, with a special interest in pelvic pain and urinary incontinence. She is passionate about helping her patients identify and achieve their personal goals to live a healthier, happier life. She believes in a holistic approach and uses Pilates principles and exercises combined with a variety of physical therapy techniques. She has advanced training in dry needling, myofascial release, and joint mobilization/manipulations.
When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs. She believes if you find something you love, get one in every color, so she and her husband have three Labrador retrievers- one of each color.
Michelle Gross, certified Pilates instructor
Michelle is PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) certified in Pilates, holds a Group Fitness certification from ACE, and a Group Strength Specialty Certificate from SCW Fitness Education. She is a Group Fitness Instructor with over ten years of teaching experience. Michelle came to Pilates as a way to relieve her back problems and other injuries she had sustained. Pilates enabled her to return to running, an activity she had loved but had to give up. Pilates practice also enabled her to find a new challenge in biking. Michelle draws from her years of teaching fitness to continually add to her classes. Michelle has earned Master’s Degrees in Business Administration and Asian Studies to augment her Bachelor of Arts in the History of Art. Her philosophy is: movement is the key to a happy and healthy life.
Tabitha Green, certified Pilates instructor
She was first introduced to Pilates while earning her BFA at Columbia College Chicago. The strength and resiliency she gained from her Pilates practice contributed to her successful dancing career with Breakbone DanceCo. To share her love of movement and the many benefits of Pilates, Tabitha pursued a career in teaching. She mentored under Randi Whitman at Frog Temple Pilates Studio. She completed the Master’s Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO and is a certified Pre and Post-Natal Pilates Specialist TM through The Center for Women’s Fitness. Tabitha is a Level 1 Eric Franklin teacher. She is detail orientated and enjoys guiding her clients toward efficient movement patterns. She brings an element of fun while practicing challenging exercises and enjoys guiding clients toward their fitness goals. She believes the benefits of Pilates will make life more enjoyable for everyone. Her two daughters keep her on her toes and light up her life.
She was first introduced to Pilates while earning her BFA at Columbia College Chicago. The strength and resiliency she gained from her Pilates practice contributed to her successful dancing career with Breakbone DanceCo. To share her love of movement and the many benefits of Pilates, Tabitha pursued a career in teaching. She mentored under Randi Whitman at Frog Temple Pilates Studio. She completed the Master’s Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO and is a certified Pre and Post-Natal Pilates Specialist TM through The Center for Women’s Fitness. Tabitha is a Level 1 Eric Franklin teacher. She is detail orientated and enjoys guiding her clients toward efficient movement patterns. She brings an element of fun while practicing challenging exercises and enjoys guiding clients toward their fitness goals. She believes the benefits of Pilates will make life more enjoyable for everyone. Her two daughters keep her on her toes and light up her life.
Alissa Pludeman, certified Pilates Instructor
Alissa became a certified Pilates instructor in 2006 and has been practicing Pilates long before then. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Health Promotion. She danced professionally for Contemporary Ballet Dallas and was the Artistic Director for the Royale Ballet School. Though dance she found Pilates and it helped improve her technique and overcome injuries. She is also a certified health coach, dance instructor, certified group exercise instructor, yoga instructor and weight management consultant through ACE. She has worked in a variety of studio and fitness centers throughout her career and also worked in corporate wellness managing well-being programs. Helping individuals feel their best so they can do what they love is her focus. Alissa has three beautiful, ambitious children and when she is not teaching Pilates is busy being a supportive Mom!
Alissa became a certified Pilates instructor in 2006 and has been practicing Pilates long before then. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Health Promotion. She danced professionally for Contemporary Ballet Dallas and was the Artistic Director for the Royale Ballet School. Though dance she found Pilates and it helped improve her technique and overcome injuries. She is also a certified health coach, dance instructor, certified group exercise instructor, yoga instructor and weight management consultant through ACE. She has worked in a variety of studio and fitness centers throughout her career and also worked in corporate wellness managing well-being programs. Helping individuals feel their best so they can do what they love is her focus. Alissa has three beautiful, ambitious children and when she is not teaching Pilates is busy being a supportive Mom!
Merry Wurster, certified Pilates Instructor
Merry is a nationally certified Pilates Instructor through NPCP (National Pilates Certification Program) with over ten years of experience. Growing up as an avid athlete, she continued an active lifestyle along with her husband and two sons by running in many road races. After experiencing back and joint pain from many years of running, she started Pilates and quickly developed a passion for it, leading her to become a teacher. She has additional training including YUR Back Training, Pilates for Rehabilitation, and Breast Cancer Recovery BOSU training. Merry's goal is share the many benefits that Pilates offers.
Laura Govorchin, Customer Service Specialist
Laura has always enjoyed exercise and adding pilates into the mix for the core strength it develops. Laura graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BS in marketing and management. She resides in Libertyville with her husband, daughter and son and stays active by coaching badminton part time, practicing pilates, pickleball, running and biking.
Laura has always enjoyed exercise and adding pilates into the mix for the core strength it develops. Laura graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BS in marketing and management. She resides in Libertyville with her husband, daughter and son and stays active by coaching badminton part time, practicing pilates, pickleball, running and biking.
