About Magda

Born in Egypt, Magda migrated to the United States during high school, bringing with her a deep cultural heritage and a resilient spirit that has shaped her journey in movement and wellness. After gaining 80 pounds during her first pregnancy, she turned to fitness as a way to reconnect with her body—exploring everything from running and weightlifting to spinning. It wasn’t until she discovered Pilates that she experienced the most profound transformation—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

Magda holds two Master of Science degrees: one in Atmospheric Physics from Texas A&M University, and another in Computer Information Systems from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Before dedicating herself to the movement arts, she worked in corporate America within the Aerospace and Defense industry. But in 2018, after deeply immersing herself in the Garuda Method, Magda knew it was time to follow her true calling—helping others achieve optimal strength, vitality, and awareness through movement. She made the courageous leap, leaving behind a stable corporate path to pursue her passion full-time.

Magda has devoted over 15 years to studying with Rachel Taylor Segel, co-founder of The Pilates Center in Boulder, whose training stems directly from Romana Kryzanowska—one of Joseph Pilates’ original students and the chosen heir of his studio in New York City. She has also studied for more than 12 years under Cara Reeser, a disciple of Kathy Grant, another first-generation Pilates teacher personally trained by Joseph Pilates. Through these two master teachers, Magda brings the depth and richness of two powerful Pilates lineages into her teaching.

She completed the Kathy Grant Heritage Training Program under Cara Reeser in 2012 and earned her Advanced Master’s certification from The Pilates Center in 2016.

In 2015, Magda encountered the Garuda Method for the first time when she met James D’Silva at the PMA conference in Denver. Captivated by its fluidity and depth, she immersed herself in the work, studying directly with James in London over several years. She now integrates Garuda into her studio, Pharonik Pilates & Bungee Fitness in Aurora, Colorado, alongside Pilates and Bungee movement, offering clients a truly transformative and multidimensional experience.

Magda is honored to serve as the Master Garuda Teacher for the USA, working in close collaboration with James D’Silva to expand the Garuda Method across the country. Her teaching is a vibrant blend of classical mastery, somatic intelligence, and cultural depth.