About Purple Door Pilates
An independent and locally owned Pilates studio in Madison WI
Outside of Pilates group classes, we specialize in helping individuals with pain and special conditions, including—but not limited to—unspecified low back pain, osteoporosis and balance training, spinal disk issues of all kinds, scoliosis, post-physical therapy rehabilitation, recovery from major surgeries, and safe pre- and post-natal Pilates.
Our studio is private and tranquil—a place to build strength, endurance, and peace of mind.
Purple Door Pilates continues to innovate, and continuing education is requisite for our team.
Meet Caroline
Founder, Executive Director, and Instructor
Caroline's Pilates journey began in 1994 while attending the North Carolina School for the Arts. She was young and bored by the method. Later, during her certification under the tutelage of second-generation Pilates instructor Michele Larson, her passion for Pilates truly ignited. Caroline studied and taught Pilates at various studios, fostering a love for the diverse lineages within the Pilates community.
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After years of teaching ballet, contemporary dance, Yoga, and Pilates, Caroline opened her studio in Madison, WI, in 2014. She was driven by her dedication to the Pilates practice and desire to create a welcoming environment for clients from all walks of life.
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Caroline's teaching style emphasizes patient and kind instruction, encouraging clients to work hard while maintaining a lighthearted and joyful approach to movement. Her expertise in working with individuals referred by physical therapy clinics, including the UW Spine Clinic, has allowed her to help clients exercise safely with various needs, including pre-and postnatal care for mothers, cancer survivors, people dealing with varied spine disorders, and those recovering from or getting prepared for partial or total joint replacement.
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With a passion for elevating athletes to their peak performance levels, Caroline takes her work seriously while fostering an atmosphere of playfulness within the Pilates profession. She holds RYT certification in Yoga and regularly engages in time in the woods with her family, bodywork, Yoga Nidra, and personal Pilates practice. As a Master Trainer certified through The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO, Caroline's extensive experience and ongoing commitment to learning make her a trusted and knowledgeable instructor.
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Beyond the studio, Caroline's love for travel has led her to share her Pilates expertise at various international resorts, including Santani Resort and Spa in Sri Lanka and Florblanca Pilates in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
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Caroline's ultimate goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone entering her studio.
Meet Erika
Erika's transformative journey into Pilates began in 2012 under the expert guidance of Faith Caruso in Chicago's South Loop. Since then, her unwavering passion for sharing the life-enhancing benefits of Pilates has made her a sought-after instructor. She has a wealth of experience teaching Pilates in esteemed studios across Chicago and southern Wisconsin, including Club Pilates in Madison.
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Her engaging and effective classes balance flow, challenges, and mindful resets, creating an inclusive environment where clients from all backgrounds and abilities can thrive. Erika has successfully worked with a diverse range of clients, including pregnant individuals, seniors, clients with scoliosis, and men seeking to improve mobility.
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Driven by a commitment to continuous growth in the Pilates profession, Erika has traveled the globe to learn from world-renowned BASI® Pilates Faculty members. Her comprehensive BASI® Pilates certification and solid educational foundation as a University of Chicago graduate with a BS in English make her a highly knowledgeable and skilled Pilates professional.
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Beyond Pilates, Erika's career extends to Commercial Real Estate, where she excels as a Tenant Representative and Lease specialist.
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Erika is eager to share her expertise and empower you to achieve optimal well-being through the life-changing practice of Pilates.
Meet Matt
Matt's Pilates journey began as a desperate search for an alternative to the major surgery recommended for a debilitating hip and back injury. After discovering the powerful mind-body connection that Pilates offered, he rehabilitated his body and reignited his passion for movement. Inspired by his transformation, Matt embarked on Pilates teacher training in 2015.
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After many years of teaching Pilates in Chicago, Matt recently relocated to Madison with his family. He is eager to share his expertise and passion for Pilates with clients seeking to enhance mobility, reduce pain, and increase overall movement. By working collaboratively with his clients, he aims to empower them to achieve their unique goals.
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Matt's commitment to holistic health is reflected in his certifications. He holds a Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization certification and a Reiki Level 2 certification, enriching his understanding of physical and energetic well-being. Additionally, he is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Instructor.
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Matt's academic background includes a Master's in Public Health from Georgia State University and dual Bachelor's degrees in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Iowa. His diverse educational background informs his multifaceted approach to Pilates instruction and client care.
Meet Nicolette
Nicolette Meunier, a Wisconsin native, received her Bachelor of Science in Dance, major in Economics, and certificate in Pilates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2017. Following academic pursuits, she honed her skills by teaching equipment and mat Pilates classes to a diverse clientele at Club Pilates, Touch of Pilates, Capital Fitness, and the UW Natatorium.
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Her teaching style focuses on strengthening and enhancing spinal flexibility, enabling clients to achieve optimal alignment. To create a holistic experience, Nicolette incorporates mindful meditation at the beginning of each Pilates session, encouraging a deep connection between the body and mind and fostering a heightened sense of presence in her students.
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Pilates classes conclude with targeted lengthening exercises, leaving clients elongated, revitalized, and light on their feet. Nicolette's passion for Pilates is evident in her dedication to teaching and her firm belief in the practice's ability to foster a stronger and more conscious lifestyle. With her comprehensive approach to well-being, she looks forward to guiding you on your journey to enhanced strength, flexibility, and mindfulness through the transformative power of Pilates.
Meet Natalie
Natalie began her Pilates journey during her first semester at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she enrolled in the Pilates Certificate Program under the tutelage of Colette Stewart and Liz Sexe. As a former athlete with a severe shoulder injury, Natalie quickly recognized Pilates's transformative impact on her physical and mental well-being.
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Natalie began her professional Pilates teaching career at Capitol Fitness and Purple Door Pilates, sharing her expertise in Madison, WI. She later studied the method and taught Pilates in New York City, NY. Her teaching philosophy centers on fostering an inclusive environment where clients are encouraged to embrace challenge and release through movement. Natalie's straightforward communication style, emphasizing simplicity and accessibility, ensures everyone can easily engage in a challenging Pilates practice.
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Besides teaching Pilates, Natalie works full-time in social work at Second Harvest. She leads an active lifestyle that includes running, biking, swimming, practicing yoga (RYT certified), and walking her dog by the lake. Her diverse personal interests and commitment to movement enrich her teaching approach and dedication to helping others discover the many benefits of Pilates.
Meet Cecilia
“Ceci” brings a wealth of movement education experience to the Pilates community, having developed a solid foundation in ballet and contemporary dance. After graduating from UW Madison's dance program, Ceci taught ballet across the city and sought further education to enhance her skills as a teacher and deepen her personal movement practice.
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Discovering her love for Pilates while in college, Ceci later pursued certification through Peak Pilates at Purple Door Pilates, where she welcomed the studio's inviting atmosphere and hoped to stay longer. She continues on her path and apprentices with Caroline at Purple Door Pilates to refine her expertise further.
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Ceci’s classes focus on reuniting the mind and body through a classically based Reformer flow, which aims to calm the mind and reconnect individuals with their bodies. Her sessions are ideal for beginners and advanced students looking to revisit the basics, as she honors the unique mind-body connection inherent in Pilates.
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Excited to be part of the Purple Door Pilates team, Ceci eagerly anticipates sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with her students.
Meet Julia
Julia's journey into Pilates began with her experience as a dedicated yoga practitioner. After years of intense practice, she discovered that yoga alone was not the solution to healing a back injury. This realization led her to explore alternative methods and ultimately find the transformative benefits of Pilates, especially for hypermobile bodies.
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Combining her expertise in yogic mindfulness and Pilates movements, Julia has developed a holistic approach to well-being that emphasizes stress reduction, proprioception, stability, and strength. Her passion lies in helping individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), hypermobility, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and other invisible conditions.
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As a RYT 500 yoga instructor and a certified Pilates teacher, Julia tailors her sessions to each client's unique needs, guiding them in understanding when to challenge themselves and practice self-compassion. Integrating Pilates's precision and control with yoga's mindfulness and breathwork, Julia empowers her clients to distinguish between good and bad pain. She fosters an environment where they can learn to move safely and confidently.
In January 2024, Julia completed the "The EDS ECHO Fundamentals of the Integral Movement Method (IMM4)" course offered by the Ehlers-Danlos Society and taught by Jeannie Di Bon. Additionally, she has completed the "EDS Physician Online Education Program" from The Medical College of Wisconsin, Office of Continuing & Professional Education.
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With her extensive knowledge and commitment to ongoing education, Julia invites you to experience the transformative power of mindful movement through her customized Pilates sessions. These sessions are designed to help you reconnect with your body and regain control over your well-being.
Zoey
Studio Greeter
I am eight.
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Exciting
New Chapters
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Clara is leaving Madison and the Purple Door Pilates community on Aug 1, 2024. She left a message to you all- we had to edit for space but reach out for her for details and a longer goodbye. ​
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A few parting words from Clara-
"I am so sad to leave and will miss everyone so dearly. It has been a beautiful journey to grow and learn alongside all of my wonderful clients and watch the Purple Door community grow. I could not have asked for a better job!
I am leaving to pursue an International Masters degree in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage. I am starting at the University of Szeged in Szeged, Hungary. I will be in Hungary with a month-long intensive in Trondheim, Norway. I am hoping to get a chance to come home for the winter holidays, and hopefully teach a Pop-up class while I am back! I will spend the summer doing fieldwork and researching for my thesis project. This fieldwork is done in the location of my choosing based on my research interest, so we will see where I end up (hopefully somewhere with Pilates)!
The fall semester is in Clermont Ferrand, France at the University of Clermont Auvergne. My final semester will be in London at the University of Roehampton.
I hope to stay in contact with the Purple Door community and give you updates throughout the next two years. It has been my biggest privilege to meet and teach every single one of you. I feel like I have learned much more than I have taught these past two years. It was a very difficult decision to leave the community we all lovingly built together.
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If you are interested in being a Pilates instructor at Purple Door, please send a brief resume to holden.pilates@gmail.com
Our studio is located on the first floor of an older building. If you are a wheelchair user, please contact us so that we can accommodate your needs.
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If you know of or offer any services that can help us improve, please let us know.
Pilates Studio Location
807 E Johnson St
Madison, WI 53703