March 2020 | Boise, Idaho
“Back when I started Pilates, that studio had a mix of equipment. I didn't know anything yet about different equipment manufacturers, but my body did! I know I always tried to get on the 80" Reformer - a Gratz - because it helped me work better, and it still does!”
- Carrie Shanafelt - Owner & Instructor
Forte Pilates Studio
We are a fully equipped studio and dedicated solely to Pilates instruction within the classical system. We believe the work is simple, not easy. We use Gratz because the equipment is not more complicated than the work, and therefore helps the body to work deeply and to flow through a workout.
Founder and Owner - Carrie Shanafelt
Carrie started her Pilates training in Seattle with Dorothee VandeWalle, Lori Coleman-Brown, and Lauren Stephan. She also had the great fortune to study with Romana Kryzanowska. In 1999, she earned her certification through The Pilates Guild, and in 2000 moved back to her hometown; Boise, Idaho, and opened Boise's first Pilates studio, Forte Pilates. Carrie was accepted into and completed The Work in 2015. The Work was a highly selective mentorship program at Vintage Pilates in Los Angeles studying with Jay Grimes. That experience had a tremendous impact on Carrie's teaching. Carrie takes great pride in honoring her very lucky Pilates lineage.
Tsarra Bequette, Teacher Training Apprentice
Tsarra began her Pilates training at age 16 with Carrie Shanafelt as a young dancer. She continued her Pilates training with Kathy Van Patten in Boston while earning her BFA at Boston Conservatory. While living in New York City and dancing with MOMIX, Tsarra continued Pilates with various teachers in the city. In 2017, Tsarra moved back to Boise and in 2019 began her teacher training apprenticeship at Forte Pilates.