ABOUT
The Studio
We have been honored to serve the community of Charlotte, NC with our home in the beautiful South Park area for over nineteen years.
Our mission is to provide excellent service in all our offerings and business practices and to provide a safe environment that affirms self worth, general wellness, and health and fitness.
We focus on promoting functional movement and a whole-body workout through the Authentic Classical Pilates Method of Contrology and the Core Barre System of Smart Movement®.
Our attention is to private, semi private and small group Pilates equipment sessions.
We are proud to offer Pilates Instruction on traditional Gratz apparatus. Gratz Pilates apparatus is used in studios all over the world and teachers and students know the Gratz difference and consider the apparatus an indispensable part of their practice.
Come visit our boutique-style studio and experience a friendly, safe and caring environment with exceptional instruction and customer service.
Please feel free to reach out to Allison, our office administrator, who will be happy to take you on a studio tour, answer any questions you may have about our facility, and schedule your first session.
Contact us for a studio tour anytime between the hours of 10am and 3pm or by appointment @704-442-8600 or email:
info@absolute-pilates.com.
Our Team
Instructors
Certified Pilates Instructor
Alexandra received her Pilates certification through Power Pilates, which included a 600+ hours Comprehensive Education program.
She first fell in love with Pilates after moving to the United States from her native Germany. After practicing Pilates for over ten years, she decided to pursue her teaching certification as a classical Pilates instructor.
Alexandra has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Management from East Carolina University and values the importance of a healthy lifestyle and strength of mind, body and spirit.
Besides Pilates, Alexandra enjoys a variety of physical activities, including spinning and hiking. She also enjoys trying out new recipes, traveling, and serving her community through different church projects.
CertIfied Pilates Instructor
Cassandra has been working in the fitness industry for over twenty years, with a primary focus on Pilates training.
Before joining ABsolute Pilates, she was a fitness director and studio owner.
She is a Level 5 Romana's Pilates Instructor, studying with some of the most gifted teachers in the world.
Cassandra will inspire you to reach your fitness goals through her love of classical Pilates. She truly believes a dedicated Pilates practice will challenge and change both your body and your mind!
Certified Pilates Instructor
Diana has spent her career in the health services industry with a focus on serving her clients. Several years ago, Diana was reintroduced to Pilates; specifically the classical method. She noticed the profound changes in her own body with her practice and that of her clients that she decided to enhance her training and education in the classical method. In a short time, Pilates has become a lifestyle for Diana and a rewarding alternative to her corporate career.
She loves helping her clients meet their wellness goals through Pilates with care and determination. She knows how Pilates can improve your mind, body and spirit and looks forward to continuing to share this with her clients.
Diana is a Level 5 Romana’s Pilates instructor who has trained with some of the most accomplished teachers in the world.
Studio Owner, Pilates &
GYROTONIC® Certified
Monica Hoekstra is the owner of ABsolute Pilates in Charlotte, NC, founded in 2001, and the creator and founder of Core Barre.
Monica is passionate about teaching and enjoys coaching clients and students to achieve their optimal fitness goals. She credits much of her teaching style to her early classical ballet training, where she was taught the importance of a solid foundation & structured syllabus that is relevant to all disciplines of good movement.
Monica Hoekstra is a Certifed Romana's Pilates® Instructor under the direction of Sari Mejia Santo. She is also certified by the New York Pilates Studio® Certification Program, under the direction of Sean Gallagher. Ms. Hoekstra also holds a full comprehensive certification by Balanced Body®, and formerly Stott Pilates® for which she was an Instructor Trainer for ten years.
Monica is also fully trained by Aaron Mattes in advanced level AIS: Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening, and is proud to offer the methodology within the Core Barre Systems of Smart Movement®.
In addition, Ms. Hoekstra is a Certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Instructor. She credits this methodology for inspiring her creativity and adding diversity to her teaching. Lastly she is also Certified by the PMA® (Pilates Method Alliance) and ACE® (American Council on Exercise) and a provider of continuing education.
AIS Practitioner
Jared started his career as an amateur boxer in 2002 and reached the #2 ranking in the country by the USA boxing organization before turning pro in 2009.
During his amateur boxing career he obtained his certification as a licensed massage therapist.
Being a professional athlete and bodyworker Jared understood the importance of optimizing his body for performance. Jared became certified as a AIS practitioner in 2015 taking Aaron Mattes' basic and advanced level courses.
With a record of 17 wins Jared ended his competitive career and transitioned full time into massage and bodywork in 2016 and works with both athletes and active adults.
Jared provides a full assessment of his clients in order to customize his approach for a positive outcome.
He is honored to share his expertise at ABsolute Pilates.
Certified Pilates Instructor
“Life Loves Balance” – Rebekka is dedicated to helping people become healthy and strong through the teachings of Joseph Pilates.
Rebekka Schulze was born and raised in Germany. At the age of 10, she was introduced to horses, starting with vaulting and then became a horse rider shortly after. Soon she discovered her interest in the Biomechanics of the human body and found her love for teaching.
For many years, she was leading the Education department of the horse riding club in her hometown. With registering for Physical Therapy school, she followed her second love: Helping others to achieve health. After completing Physical Therapy school in Germany, she graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia, finishing with a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy).
Her teaching style is characterized by precision, structure and a passionate understanding of the human body. Due to her outstanding knowledge and experience she became a Pilates Teacher Trainer as well and has educated many instructors to this point. She is leading Pilates related workshops and is tutoring soon-to-be teachers during their teacher training.
Her Pilates journey took her to another high point, when she was accepted into “The Work” a Pilates Master’s program led by first generation teacher Jay Grimes in Los Angeles. Having finished this vigorous program, has further deepened her passion for the Classical Pilates method, that Joseph Pilates created almost 100 years ago.
