Donna Quisenberry, owner of Fortitude Pilates Studio, is a PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) Gold Certified Pilates Teacher.  She is certified on all apparatus through PhysicalMind Institute of New York, studying under Madeline Black.  Donna also holds a certificate from Polestar Education, studying under Brent Anderson and Elizabeth Larkam. She has completed advanced courses applying the Pilates Method for Osteoporosis, Gait Analysis and Standing Matwork through PhysicalMind Institute, is a Certified Level 1 Teacher of Pilates for Golf™, a specialized course in applying the Pilates Method specifically for golfers.  She has attended numerous continuing education workshops over the years with Michele Larsson, Thomas McCook, Eric Franklin, and others.  Donna was involved in the Program of Study with the Ron Fletcher Company, studying under Master Teacher Ron Fletcher (who worked directly with Joe and Clara Pilates and is currently 84 years old and still teaching teachers!).  She is certified in Movement Medicine, a course taught by Nora St. John, as developed by the Dancemedicine Division of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital’s Center for Sports Medicine, applying Pilates-based techniques for injury prevention and rehabilitation.  Donna is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise, is an IDEA Advanced Personal Fitness Trainer, and is CPR certified.  She is a certified Medical Exercise Specialist through the North American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehabilitation Professionals.  Donna has been teaching Pilates since 1998, has practiced Pilates for the past 18 years, has over 25 years experience as a competitive endurance athlete, and is an avid golfer and equestrian.

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Debra Baker is an independent Pilates instructor, certified through PhysicalMind Institute of New York to teach mat, completing Initiation 101 and 201 with Thomas McCook at Center of Balance in Mountain View, California. Debbie has been teaching mat classes at Fortitude since 2003 and has been practicing Pilates for the past six years. She is certified through the Integrated Teacher Training program (Madeline Black, et al.) on all apparatus. She has continued her Pilates studies by attending workshops with Elizabeth Larkam (working with the senior population); Thomas McCook (working with athletes) and Eric Franklin of Switzerland (imagery and Pilates mat work). Debbie’s background includes a successful cross-country ski racing career earning the Michigan Cup overall female title three years, and she obtained her PSIA certification in 1993 to teach cross-country skiing. She has also competed in bodybuilding and continues to train for skiing through Pilates, running and cycling. Debbie is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. Her full-time duties are that of a certified paralegal for a mid-sized Sacramento law firm.

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Darcy Van Dyck, is an independent Pilates Instructor. Darcy has 28 years of experience in the fitness industry as a Group Exercise Instructor, Group Exercise Director and community college Adjunct Professor. She holds a BA in Dance from UC Santa Barbara and a Secondary Teaching Credential in Dance and Physical Education from UCLA. For the last 7 years, Darcy has concentrated on the Pilates Method. Darcy received her initial Pilates Mat Certificate through Polestar Pilates. She then received her comprehensive apparatus certification in the work of Joseph H. Pilates through Chrissy Romani-Ruby of PowerHouse Pilates. In addition to teaching Pilates, Darcy was a co-owner of a Pilates studio for 3 years. She is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and is currently pursuing a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) Teacher Certification.

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Karalee Morris is an independent Pilates instructor certified through the Body Arts and Science International Comprehensive program on mat and apparatus. Karalee has been practicing Pilates and yoga for the past 10 years. Karalee is excited about further education and plans to gain certification in the Body Arts and Science International Advanced Repertoire course. In the meantime, she plans to continue her studies through workshops. Karalee's background includes success in trail running and racing, winning the off-road Catalina Marathon women's field in 2007. In the same year she also was first female to finish the Silver State 50 mile trail run in Reno, NV. Karalee will be running the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2009. Karalee believes her regular practice of Pilates and yoga have kept her injury-free and strong.

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Megan Soske is an independent Pilates instructor. She is certified on all apparatus through Balanced Body University, studying under Tom McCook, formerly of PhysicalMind Institute of New York. Megan has attended numerous continuing education workshops over the years, including in the Franklin Method and Feldenkrais techniques, and Pilates workshops with Elizabeth Larkham, Karen Clippinger, and Madeline Black. Megan has helped equestrians, golfers and cyclists perform better. She has helped clients working through health issues, from pre- and post-natal to those with scoliosis and recovering from breast cancer surgeries. A competitive equestrian for her entire life, Megan began taking Pilates to improve her riding. Tight and unbalanced muscles inhibited her performance, and, through Pilates, she transformed her body and now rides at a completely new level. She considers the understanding she achieved through overcoming her own musculature and posture challenges to be one of her greatest assets when teaching others. Megan has competed and coached others in dressage (she currently rides at 3rd level), combined training (preliminary level), equitation and western (cutting). Megan is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.

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Fortitude – A Pilates Studio is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance, a member of the Ron Fletcher Company, a member referral studio of Physical Mind Institute, and a referral studio of Balanced Body.


GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE!!