Who am I?

Hi, I’m Joyce Valera and I’m so excited to welcome you to Pilates with Joy in Costa Rica!

My journey into Pilates is deeply rooted in movement science. I earned my degree in Kinesiological Sciences, the study of human movement, which gave me a strong foundation in understanding how the body works and adapts.

In 2015, I pursued my Pilates certification through Body Arts and Science International (BASI Pilates) in California, one of the most respected and comprehensive programs in the industry. BASI’s blend of classical and contemporary Pilates, paired with its emphasis on science, precision, and purpose, has greatly shaped the way I teach and connect with clients.

I’m fully certified in Mat and Reformer Pilates, and I’ve now been teaching Mat Pilates for over a decade and Reformer for nearly six years, helping clients build strength, mobility, and resilience from the inside out.

I taught my very first mat class in late 2015 at a boutique Las Vegas studio called A Body in Balance, and not long after, Pilates with Joy was born. The name Pilates with Joy is a nod to my nickname, Joy, but it’s also a reflection of how I want people to feel when they move. My hope is that every class brings strength, connection, and happiness to those who show up, so it’s both Pilates with me and an invitation to move with joy and intention.

In August 2016, I led my first Pilates with Joy community class at Gasworks Park in Seattle, creating a space for people to connect through movement and breath. That class became the start of a tradition I’ve continued every year since through outdoor community events and even virtual classes during the pandemic.

Pilates hasn’t just shaped my career, it changed my life. After experiencing two severe episodes of sciatica, I turned fully to Pilates and wellness as my path to healing. Through movement, consistency, and self-advocacy, I was able to recover without surgery or injections. That experience deepened my belief that Pilates is more than exercise, it’s a powerful tool for rehabilitation, strength, mobility, and long-term wellness.

Previously, I spent nearly five years teaching at Club Pilates, guiding beginner to advanced classes. Today I teach Mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates, and Hot Pilates at studios such as LA Fitness and TruFusion, and I’ve had the privilege of guiding students from beginner to advanced levels throughout my career.

This year marks the 7th Annual Pilates with Joy, and for the first time, we’re going international. I couldn’t be more excited to share this special retreat with you in Costa Rica where movement, nature, and restoration come together.

That’s why I believe so deeply in what I teach. Pilates is more than a workout. It’s a powerful tool for rehabilitation, spinal flexibility, mobility, core strength, and full-body wellness.

Outside of teaching, I find joy in being outdoors especially hiking, which always grounds and energizes me. I also love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures. Most of all, I cherish quality time with my family and two young kids, who keep me present and inspired. When I’m not on the mat or out in nature, I’m honored to support families in another meaningful way, guiding them through one of life’s biggest transitions: finding a place to call home.

Pilates is my passion. Teaching is my purpose. And healing through joyful movement is what I live for. I can’t wait to move, breathe, and grow with you in paradise!

With joy,
Joyce Valera
Pilates with Joy

Group of people practicing yoga outdoors on a grassy area near a body of water with a city skyline in the background.
Group of people participating in a fitness or yoga class in a bright studio, lying on mats, stretching, and following instructor-led exercises with a woman in the foreground performing a core workout.
Group of people in a fitness class, smiling and posing indoors with workout equipment visible in front.
A group of women and men in workout clothes posing together in a fitness class or workshop, flexing their biceps.
A woman in athletic clothing doing a yoga pose on a sidewalk in front of a suspension bridge with a mountain and forest in the background.
A woman practicing yoga on a rock in a mountainous landscape with pine trees and a blue sky.
A woman practicing yoga outdoors on a grass lawn, positioned in a forward bend pose with hands touching the ground and head down, with trees and greenery in the background.
A woman practicing yoga or acrobatics on a sandy beach, performing a headstand with one leg raised upwards and the other extended outward, near the ocean with a cloudy sky in the background.
A woman practicing yoga outdoors on a grassy lawn, balancing on her head with her legs extended in a split position, on a yoga mat surrounded by trees and bushes.