Rooted in Cardiff: How VYRTU Pilates Gives Back to the Community We Call Home
At VYRTU Pilates, community isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live. Nestled by the sea in the heart of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, our boutique Pilates studio was created with a deep intention to serve, support, and uplift the small coastal town we’re proud to call home.
Our founder, Rachel Engelhorn, grew up right here in Cardiff. From beach days and bike rides to school drop-offs and sunset walks, this town has shaped who she is. Cardiff holds a very special place in her heart, and when she opened VYRTU Pilates, she knew her studio would be more than a place to work out—it would be a place to give back. Today, that commitment lives at the core of everything we do.
Supporting Local Causes That Matter
We are honored to support a variety of incredible local organizations and nonprofits that are making a real difference in our community.
Rancho Coastal Humane Society is a nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving lives and finding loving homes for homeless and abandoned animals in San Diego County. Their compassionate work provides shelter, medical care, adoption services, and community education. VYRTU Pilates proudly donates curated gift baskets to their fundraising auctions to help support their life-saving mission.
We are also a proud member of Cardiff 101 Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the unique identity and vitality of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Through community events, small business advocacy, and beautification projects, Cardiff 101 plays a major role in keeping our town thriving—and we’re honored to stand alongside them.
Another cause close to our hearts is Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the leading nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy while supporting families living with this rare genetic disorder. VYRTU Pilates hosts fundraisers to raise awareness and funds for research, care, and advocacy that give hope to families facing this diagnosis.
We recently donated a gift basket to the King Tide Challenge, a powerful walk across North County beaches that raises funds for skin cancer research. This event brings our coastal community together in support of prevention, education, and life-saving scientific advancements.
We are also proud sponsors of the Oak Crest Middle School Surf Team, supporting local youth as they build confidence, discipline, and a love for the ocean.
In addition, we donate gift baskets to the Encinitas Board Riders Club, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting local surfers, protecting coastal access, promoting ocean safety, and preserving the surf culture that defines our coastline. Their work helps ensure that our beaches remain safe, accessible, and vibrant for generations to come.
More Than a Studio—A Community Hub
VYRTU Pilates exists because of the people who walk through our doors every day—the neighbors, families, athletes, surfers, parents, and friends who make Cardiff so special. Giving back is our way of saying thank you.
When you take a class at VYRTU, you’re not just investing in your health—you’re supporting a studio that actively invests in the well-being of its community.
We are proud to move, grow, and give alongside the town that raised us.
We are proud to be part of Cardiff.
We are proud to be the VYRTU Tribe.
