Founder Posture Studio Pilates & Physical Therapy and The Posture Method: A Functional Based Teaching Approach to Pilates. Master Instructor, Postural & Corrective Exercise Specialist, Teacher Mentor
Carla Shifflett is a Pilates instructor and Movement Educator known for her innovative, functional-movement-based approach to Pilates.
Throughout her career, Carla has mentored teachers and become a sought-after educator for professional movement trainers, including physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other movement educators. Her expertise lies in helping these professionals integrate Pilates, functional movement principles, and postural education into their practices.
Carla’s transformative approach is thoughtful and integrative, honoring the individuality of each client. She focuses on building sustainable strength while addressing the root causes of habitual movement dysfunctions.
Carla Shifflett
Carla customizes her programs to suit each client’s unique needs—assessing irregularities in posture and movement patterns, exploring exercises to resolve impingements, and working with individual strengths and weaknesses. Her private sessions are cherished for their detailed, personalized instruction, emphasizing whole-body wellness, restorative strength, and alignment.
Carla’s hope is that through Posture Studio Pilates & Physical Therapy, her clients feel empowered to live pain-free lives, regardless of their movement background. To this end, she has developed and continues to refine The Posture Method—a teaching system that integrates functional movement principles and postural education into the Pilates framework.
In 2002, Carla became a certified Pilates instructor through The Physical Mind Institute. She has completed comprehensive coursework covering all apparatus and levels through STOTT PILATES®. Her continuing education includes studying with medical professionals such as doctors and DPTs, amassing over 10,000 hours of study focused on integrating Pilates with functional movement-based rehabilitation techniques. Carla is also a 200-hour certified yoga instructor.
Outside of work, Carla enjoys diving into anatomy and movement studies, creating music and art, gardening and spending quality time with her family and friends. She also has a passion for photography and graphic design.
Carla lives in Charlottesville with her husband, two children, and their animal companions.
Credentials + Training
Founder and owner of Posture Studio, established in 2005.
20+ Years of Experience as a Pilates instructor.
+500-Hour Pilates Training: Certified in 2002 through The Physical Mind Institute. Over 500 hours training through STOTT PILATES® in Pilates Mat (beginner, intermediate, advanced), Pilates Reformer ((beginner, intermediate, advanced)), Pilates Chair (beginner, intermediate, advanced), Pilates Cadillac (beginner, intermediate, advanced), Pilates Barrels (beginner, intermediate, advanced),
200-Hour Certified Yoga Instructor.
Over 10,000 hours of coursework and independent study, observation and practice hours including biomechanics of movement under mentorship from doctors, nurse practitioners, and doctors of physical therapy.
Former Pilates-based rehab specialist at The Albemarle Center for Health and Rehabilitation (2002–2005).
Peer mentor at the Boutique Fitness Summit, mentoring studio owners.
Public speaker at events and podcasts on ergonomics and movement education.
Collaborated with Dr. Myla Goldman at UVA Neurology Department on a study examining the benefits of Pilates-based functional strength training for individuals with MS.
Lululemon Ambassador (2021).
B.A. in Philosophy and Eastern Thinking, with two years of pre-medical coursework.