Zuzana is available for speaking engagements, conferences, and workshops in studios worldwide.
Zuzana Gemmel
Zuzana has been teaching Pilates since 2013 and holds Comprehensive certification from Peak Pilates®. She is a Peak Pilates® Master Instructor and Franklin Method® educator with a strong focus on functional anatomy, embodied knowledge, and intelligent movement education.
Her work centers on empowering clients and instructors to understand the body from a functional anatomy perspective, with particular expertise in spinal health, pelvic mechanics, and musculoskeletal balance. She is especially known for her work on the sacrum, pelvis, and lower back, teaching workshops such as Rebalance the SI Joint that focus on alignment, load distribution, and efficient movement patterns.
Zuzana’s approach is strongly influenced by the Franklin Method®, using imagery and neurocognitive movement strategies to improve posture, coordination, and ease of movement. This helps clients and teachers develop a deeper understanding of how the nervous system and body work together to create lasting change.
She is passionate about supporting movement professionals working with pain, restrictions, and rehabilitation, offering practical tools to improve teaching clarity and client outcomes. Her work bridges rehabilitation principles and performance, with a focus on healthy aging, spinal freedom, and sustainable movement.
Zuzana frequently conducts workshops both in-person and via virtual platforms, making her a flexible option for different event formats. She has a presence in international movement education circles, often collaborating with organizations like Peak Pilates.
Outside of her professional work, Zuzana enjoys traveling with her husband and friends and spending time with her Australian Kelpie, Rue. A lifelong mover, she continues to use Pilates as her primary form of cross-training for running, hiking, and skiing.
“Zuzana Gemmel has been my Pilates instructor for the last 4 years. We have had sessions every week either in person or virtually over that time period. I am approaching the age of 70 and still bike 30 miles a day and hike 6 miles on alternate days and throw in some weight work. I am flexible and full of energy. My work with Zuzana has been a key factor in maintaining a very active healthy lifestyle. She has an endless array of skills that can rejuvenate all your moving parts. Zuzana is patient, pleasant, punctual and professional. Time invested with her will improve your quality of life.”
Roger D.
“Zuzana is a phenomenal Pilates and movement instructor. She has a gift for quickly understanding each student’s body and tailors lessons to help them achieve their goals. I have worked with Zuzana for 8 years. Whenever I have experienced medical issues or injuries she has been able to adapt my lessons to facilitate my recovery. More recently, I have been learning the Franklin Method from Zuzana and am astounded at how it has enhanced my mobility.”
Cathie S.
“Zuzana Gemmel has been my Pilates instructor for the past two years! As we age there are days when you are hurting somewhere but Zuzana always had methods to get my hips moving and give me a great full body workout. She is professional, knowledgeable and makes each session about me! I feel I have learned so much about keeping my body moving and strengthening the muscles. Zuzana has done Franklin Method classes via Zoom which are so informative and have provided me information I keep using in my daily life. When Zuzana and I first met I had mentioned that I wanted to get on snow skis again. Over the course of our time together my hip strength improved and I was able this year to ski again at 58! Zuzana has changed my life for the better and anyone who is lucky enough to be taught by her will not be disappointed.
Michele P.
“I absolutely love taking classes from Zuzana (and Rue). When I started Pilates, I could only bend my back in two places, my shoulders felt like cement, and I could not lift my left arm higher than my shoulder. Now, after working with Zuzana, I can accentuate every vertebra, move my neck, and (especially after taking the Franklin Method class too) really can picture and move the bones in my shoulders, hips, and feet!!! I never thought this was possible! Zuzana really tailors every class to exactly how my body feels that day — even on days when I feel sluggish, I always leave class feeling energized and having done much more than I thought I would be able to accomplish that session. (Of course it helps tremendously when her pup Rue comes into the studio to give me a paw of encouragement when she senses I need it. I love being welcomed by her as soon as I arrive ). The studio itself is a bright, beautiful space overlooking a gorgeous garden and Zuzana has a wide variety of equipment she uses besides the traditional Pilates chair and reformer. She also employs many “gadgets” to explain and help visualize what is actually happening in the body and what the various techniques are supposed to accomplish. Zuzana has changed my life for the better, and my only wish is that everyone could have the opportunity to work with her!”
Christiane C.
“Zuzana has been my Pilates instructor for about 5 years, first in a small group class and privately for the last 3 years. She’s an exceptional instructor! Her directions are clear and concise with lots of positive feedback. I’ve been having some issues with pain in my lower back and hips and Zuzana has been using her expertise in Pilates and her knowledge of how the body functions in our sessions to stretch and loosen me up. She always asks how my body feels and modifies our sessions accordingly. And It’s really helped! I always feel great after a session!
Zuzana is obviously dedicated to her profession and to her clients. She’s recently added sessions on the Franklin Method, which have increased my understanding of body mechanics.
In addition to being a great Pilates instructor, Zuzana is a wonderful person…patient, kind and caring. Our time together is a treat that I look forward to each week! “
Melissa P.
I appreciate Zuzana’s patience, understanding of my physical situation and customization of exercises. I learned so much from her and about my own body. I never felt like a “patient” as we were a team working toward a common goal for me.
Vivien C.