Community
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Pilates Tacoma – Community Reinvestment Project Spotlight
Pilates Tacoma is one 30 By/For Black, Latine, and Indigenous Kin organizations in Pierce County recommended by the Pierce County Local Advisory Team to receive funding through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project.
GTCF contracted with Commerce to convene the Pierce County Local Advisory Team and deliver funding based on their recommendations. You can read more about this partnership here.
GTCF reached out to Pilates Tacoma Founder, Alease Aubrey Frieson, to learn more about their organization and how this Community Reinvestment Project funding is helping accelerate their work in Pierce County.
What inspired the creation of your organization/movement?
I recognized a critical gap in access to high-quality Pilates and GYROTONIC® training, two movement systems with transformative benefits for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Too often, financial barriers, limited availability, or lack of education prevent individuals from experiencing their healing potential.
I founded Pilates Tacoma to bridge that gap, creating an inclusive space where movement fosters wellness, empowerment, and community connection.
What is a challenge – or opportunity – your organization/movement is addressing or trying to create solutions for?
Pierce County has a severe shortage of Pilates and GYROTONIC® education and especially for marginalized communities. We’re leveling the playing field through expanding instructor training, bringing GYROTONIC® education to Tacoma, community outreach, and scholarships to ensure cost isn’t a barrier.
Every person we train or serve multiplies our impact, creating a ripple effect of wellness across the region.
What is an example of the actions, programs, or projects of your organization/movement?
As Pierce County’s only Balanced Body® Accredited Training Center, we offer comprehensive Pilates instructor certification programs, ensuring the next generation of teachers is equipped with expert-level training. Beyond professional education, we provide:
– Community classes (including sliding-scale and free options)
– GYROTONIC® mentorship (we’re the only instructors in the county!)
– Scholarship programs to remove financial barriers for aspiring instructors and clients.
Our goal is to make mindful movement accessible while elevating industry standards.
How can funding – like what was delivered through the Community Reinvestment Project – help accelerate the work of Pilates Tacoma?
This funding has been a game-changer, directly fueling free & sliding-scale classes for underserved communities, new equipment to serve more clients and trainees, scholarships for instructor certifications (diversifying the field), and community partnerships such as summer & fall outreach events with local orgs.
With continued support, we’ll scale our programs, train more teachers, and ensure every body in Tacoma can access life-changing movement.