Our Story
Adding physical therapy to Posture Studio has been a thoughtful, intentional process shaped over many years. Carla Shifflett, Founder and Director of Posture Studio, opened the studio with a clear vision: to offer a therapeutic approach to Pilates—one where people could better understand movement and recognize how pain is often connected to movement patterns that can be addressed and improved.
Over the years, Carla and her team have worked with doctors, physical therapists, and nurse practitioners through referrals, supporting clients on their path toward pain-free, functional lives. She consistently hired and trained Pilates practitioners who not only teach Pilates, but who also look at each client as an individual—meeting them where they are and supporting their personal wellness journey.
For many years, it has been Carla’s dream to expand Posture Studio’s offerings to include more therapeutic services. She worked deliberately and patiently toward that goal, building a model rooted in education, movement quality, and whole-body care.
In 2020, Tara Fontenot, DPT, joined Posture Studio. Initially, Tara came on as a Pilates instructor while continuing her work as a physical therapist at another clinic. She was drawn to the therapeutic outcomes of Pilates she had studied, and through her time at Posture Studio, she saw firsthand how powerfully Pilates and physical therapy could work together. In 2022, Tara officially joined Posture Studio as a physical therapist, and over time it became clear that this integrated model was both effective and transformative for clients.
In 2025, Posture Studio expanded its physical therapy services further by adding Women’s Health Physical Therapy with Susannah Hill, followed by Rebecca Brown, DPT. Today, Tara Fontenot serves as the Director of Physical Therapy at Posture Studio, guiding a growing team and helping shape the future of integrated, whole-body care.
We are proud of how this model has evolved—and excited for what lies ahead.
Hi, I’m Carla Shifflett, Founder and Director of Posture Studio. I founded Posture in 2006 with the goal of helping people find pain-free, easeful movement by looking at the whole body and incorportating retraining based on Pilates therapeutic approaches.
Throughout my 20+ years of teaching both clients and instructors, the connection between physical therapy and therapeutic Pilates has been unmistakable. Including more therapeutic services, allows us to create an integrated model of care and I am thrilled to introduce you to our physical therapy team.
Please take time to learn about each of our physical therapists and the many skills, perspectives, and talents they bring to our studio.
We are so glad you’ve found us.
Meet Our Physical Therapists
Clinic Director, Orthopedics + Transdermal Dry Needling Specialist
Tara takes a holistic approach to physical therapy, focusing on the root cause of pain rather than just the symptoms. She combines education, manual therapy, functional movement retraining, and dry needling to support long-term recovery.
Tara earned a degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia (2003) and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware (2006). She went on to serve as Head Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer for the U.S. Ski Team and was a member of the U.S. Medical Team at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Her advanced training includes Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) — a distinction held by only 6% of Physical Therapists in the U.S.
Practicing in Charlottesville since 2012, Tara is also STOTT PILATES® certified and integrates Pilates-based movement into her sessions to restore core control, balance, and function. She is passionate about advancing the field of PT, serving as a clinical instructor, site coordinator of clinical education, and reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Tara Fontenot, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy University of Delaware, 2006
Kinesiology with concentration in Sports Medicine degree University of Virginia, 2003
Physical Therapist US Olympic Ski Team, 2007-2012
Member of US Medical Team at 2010 Vancouver Olympics
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Certified Pilates Instructor
Certified Athletic Trainer
Dry Needling Specialist
“Tara is a lifesaver. I’ve had severe back spasms that left me unable to walk, and while physicians and chiropractors only treated the pain, Tara isolated the deep muscles causing the problem and released them. Many times I’ve hobbled in, and after her treatment, walked out on my own. She also gave me a daily home program that has greatly reduced episodes for years. Tara is the only person I trust with my back.”
Women’s Health Specialist, Women’s + Pediatric Pelvic Floor PT
Susannah’s approach combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, whole-body perspective, empowering patients to take an active role in their treatment and recovery.
A Charlottesville native and former Division I soccer player at Elon University, Susannah brings an athletic, functional mindset to her practice. After graduation, she lived at Camp Lejeune, NC, where she worked as a personal trainer for individuals of all ages, including active-duty military.
Susannah earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences and has practiced in outpatient orthopedics since 2017. She has extensive training in pelvic floor physical therapy for women, addressing pelvic pain, urinary and bowel dysfunction, prenatal and postpartum recovery, sexual health, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
She also specializes in pediatric pelvic floor therapy, helping children with constipation, incontinence, bedwetting, and toilet-training challenges. Susannah is passionate about empowering women and children to improve pelvic health and overall well-being.
Susannah Hill, DPT
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
Bachelors in Physical Education, Elon University
Women’s Pelvic Health Specialist
Pediatric Pelvic Health Specialist
Sports Rehabilitation
Personal Trainer
“Susannah Hill changed our lives. For the first time, my son is able to have a bowel movement without a suppository. We acquired helpful exercises, behavioral strategies that increase independence, and also discovered the correct dosage of a dietary supplement to significantly reduce accidents. We are so grateful.”
Orthopedics + TMJ Dysfunction Specialist
Rebecca Brown, DPT, brings over a decade of experience in orthopedic physical therapy with a strong foundation in functional movement and Pilates-based rehabilitation. She specializes in helping clients recover from injury, improve movement efficiency, and build lasting strength through mindful, systems-based care.
Rebecca earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011 and has since worked in outpatient orthopedic settings, where she integrates manual therapy, functional strength training, and Pilates to restore balanced movement and confidence.
Her path to physical therapy began with a lifelong passion for movement. While pursuing a career in professional dance, Rebecca discovered Pilates and began teaching in 1999. She later completed her STOTT PILATES® certification in 2006 after moving to Charlottesville, where she taught private and group sessions while deepening her understanding of anatomy and biomechanics.
This combined background in dance, Pilates, and orthopedic rehabilitation allows Rebecca to bring an intuitive and technically precise approach to each session—helping clients bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance.
Rebecca Brown, DPT
“Rebecca understands my body better than anyone I have ever worked with. She has helped me overcome years of chronic pain and has taught me how to use my body correctly. Her integration of traditional physical therapy and Pilates has been life changing!”
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Michigan, 2004
Certified Pilates Instructor
Sports Rehabilitation
Lecturer Dance Medicine Science, Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Dance, 2013-2015
Speaker, International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Philadelphia, 2015