Jessica Gowen

VP Performance Development /Master Pilates, Gyrotonic Instructor

Activcore Druid Hills

Jessica founded CORE’s flagship location in Buckhead in 2006 in an effort to create her own ideal work environment: a positive, friendly and professional movement studio that attracts and retains outstanding teachers while providing exceptional customer service. Her mind-body wellness journey began in Washington, DC, in 1998 where she took Pilates mat classes at Excel Movement Studios while working as an editor for a public policy oriented publishing firm. After experiencing the transformative effects of the Pilates Method, she left the policy world to teach Pilates full-time.After studying Pilates for six years, Jessica discovered Gyrotonic® exercise in 2004. She loved how Gyrotonic complimented her Pilates training and challenged her to take her work – as a practitioner of the methods and as a teacher – to a much deeper level. She has completed certifications for Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis and all of the specialized Gyrotonic equipment. She was fortunate to be certified in both systems by creator Juliu Horvath. She is an Authorized Gyrotonic Pre-Trainer and Master Trainer.Jessica believes that continuing education is crucial to every Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor’s continued growth. She has taken hundreds of hours of continuing education courses around the country covering a wide variety of subject matter including working with post-rehab clients who experience back and shoulder pain, refining her use of voice and touch, teaching Pilates to pregnant and postpartum women, modifying exercises for those with osteoporosis and challenging elite athletes with the Gyrotonic method.A passionate entrepreneur, Jessica currently focuses on setting vision and direction for the studio and manages its operations. Jessica is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Allegheny College, where she earned a B.A. in political science in 1997. She also holds a Master of Public Management degree from the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland at College Park. A Decatur native, she lives in Ormewood Park with her husband and children.CertificationsComprehensive Pilates Certification, Excel Movement Studios, 2002GYROTONIC® , Level I, 2006Gyrotonic Jump-Stretch Board, 2006 & 2007GYROKINESIS®, Level I, 2007Comprehensive Pilates Certification (Bridge), Power Pilates, 2007Pilates National Exam, Pilates Method Alliance, 2007Gyrotonic for Golf, 2007 & 2010Gyrotonic Leg Extension Unit, 2007 & 2009Gyrotonic Pre-Trainer, 2008Gyrotonic Archway, 2009 & 2015Certified Pre- and Post-Natal SpecialistTM (Pilates), 2009Gyrotonic Gyrotoner, 2009 & 2010Therapeutic Gyrotonic Applications for the Shoulder, 2010Annual Gyrotonic and Bi-annual Gyrokinesis Update coursesGyrotonic Master Trainer, 2014Advanced Teacher Training Program (Bridge), The Pilates Center, 2014Host Studio Advisor, The Pilates Center, 2014Gyrotonic Level 2, 2015