Staff

Kurt Gorrell has been an athlete and fitness enthusiast his entire life. He was a soccer player and
competitive gymnast growing up and at the late age of 20 he started dancing where he enjoyed a 16-year
career as a professional dancer, performing principal and soloist roles with many regional ballet and
contemporary companies. Broadway National Tour credits include Contact (2005) and Twyla
Tharp’s Movin’ Out (2008-9).
In addition to his professional dance career, Kurt has been a personal trainer and strength and
conditioning coach since 1996, a Pilates instructor since 2010, and a gymnastics coach for 25 years. He is
a Certified Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine, a Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and a Level 1
Weightlifting Coach through USA Weightlifting. He holds Pilates certifications in both equipment and
mat work from Pilates Academy International, is a Level 1 and 2 certified CoreAlign® instructor, and a
certified trainer in Redcord®, a dual suspension training system. Kurt is also certified in Pre- and Post-
Natal Pilates and Fascial Movement/ Kinesiology Taping.
After retiring from dance and rehabbing his second knee surgery, Kurt earned his bachelor’s degree in
dance performance from Butler University in Indianapolis and Hunter College in NYC. He went on to
earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY and in 2018 Kurt and
his wife and two cats relocated to San Francisco, CA. In 2024 Kurt earned his certification as a Functional
Manual Therapist (CFMT®) through the Institute of Physical Art®.
With his extensive knowledge of the body and his experience as a dancer, gymnast and personal trainer,
he was able to develop classes such as Gymnastics for Dancers (featured in Dance Magazine, March
2011), and Gymtensity, a gymnastics conditioning class featuring a boot camp style workout involving
ring training, basic gymnastics conditioning and calisthenics. Kurt has worked with elite and recreational
athletes including professional dancers, former Olympians, Cirque du Soleil performers, competitive
figure skaters, competitive gymnasts and competitive hockey players. Kurt was also the Assistant
Strength and Conditioning Coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Russell Sage College. Kurt
developed a specific interest in rehabilitation across the lifespan, having had the privilege of working with
stroke survivors, and those with age-related physical limitations.
Kurt currently splits his time between working with the team at Beacon Physical Therapy and with the
San Francisco Ballet where he provides strength and conditioning and PT services for the dancers of the
company.
In his approach to manual physical therapy, Kurt aims to provide patient-centered care that treats the body
as a whole; to get to the root of the issue rather than only focusing on the symptoms. He also aims to
provide his clients with the tools and education to further their knowledge of their presenting issues,
working toward full functional movement that is pain-free and sustainable.
Outside of his professional practice, Kurt enjoys spending time with his wife and their two Siamese cats,
wine tasting (he is a Level 1 sommelier), surfing, bodyboarding, collecting vintage skateboards, and
playing guitar.

Dave Guinasso earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of
California, San Francisco/San Francisco State where he had clinical experiences in a
variety of settings including outpatient orthopedics, acute care/rehab, and finally at
Beacon Physical Therapy where he was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to
study directly under his mentors Charles King and Kurt Gorrell. Dave has continued to
expand his clinical skill set by learning the principles of functional manual physical
therapy™. He is currently receiving training through the Institute of Physical Art (IPA).
In 2019, Dave decided to pivot to a career in physical therapy after attending an
Osteopathic Medical program in Colorado for 2 years. Excited to be more involved with
a patient’s holistic healing process and equipping others with the tools to be resilient,

Dave brings a wealth of knowledge about the body’s function.
Having competed collegiately at the University of California, San Diego for 4 years as a
runner, Dave also experienced numerous major injuries along the way. This is when his
passion developed for teaching others how to return from injury, prevent future
occurrences, and how to come back stronger than before. Dave prefers taking an
integrative approach and is focused on meeting the client where they are to help them
navigate their own rehab journey. Whether that’s recovering from an acute injury,
problem solving a chronic pain, or improving a patient’s functional/performance level,
Dave wants to help you work towards your individual goals.
In his free time, Dave enjoys an active lifestyle running/biking the trails of San Rafael
where he grew up, surfing where there are waves, and skiing during the winters.

Charles King earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Charles had the privilege of studying Functional Manual Therapy® under the direct tutelage of his mentors Gregg and Vicky Johnson, the founders of the Institute of Physical Art (IPA).

In his early career, Charles worked in Manhattan at a center devoted to the treatment and rehabilitation of world famous Broadway performers.  Continuing to study with the IPA, in 2010 Charles earned the distinction of being awarded his Functional Manual Therapy® Certification faster out of school than any other Physical Therapist, and he earned it with Honors.

In 2011, Charles was invited to direct an FMT® initiative in India. He spent two years as the Clinical Director of the Vardan Physiotherapy Center, where he was responsible for the teaching and direction of many talented PTs. Following his return to the USA, he completed his Fellowship with the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists at the prestigious IPA Manhattan center.

In 2018, Charles received his OCS designation (Orthopaedic Certified Specialist).

Pilates with Erin King is available at Beacon Physical Therapy.

Because of its therapeutic qualities, Pilates can be a great tool on the road to recovery after or coinciding with PT.

Therapists will often give “exercise homework” to their patients to help retain the work done during the PT session. This homework can be enhanced and expanded upon during the Pilates session.
There is an open dialogue between each therapist and Erin about a patient’s particular need, whether it be stabilizing, stretching or strengthening with regard to their injury or weakness.

Besides traditional Pilates, Erin — as a dancer — has explored many other different forms of movement so she can tailor each client’s exercises to fit individual needs.

Of course, you don’t need to be in PT to take Pilates. Many clients come solely for a great workout that strengthens their core, improves posture and flexibility and stabilizes joints.