About Purple Door Pilates — Madison, WI Pilates Studio
An independent and locally owned Pilates studio in Madison WI since 2014
Purple Door Pilates is a comprehensive Pilates studio in Madison, WI, offering small-group reformer classes, all other studio-system Pilates training, private sessions, and duet sessions. Founded in 2014 by Caroline Holden as Holden Pilates, our renamed, bright, and welcoming studio is known for personalized instruction, a supportive community, and a name that's hard to say without smiling!
At Purple Door Pilates, we offer small-group classes that use traditional equipment such as reformers, towers, chairs, barrels, and mats. Our private sessions also incorporate various auxiliary apparatus.
We intentionally keep class sizes small to provide personalized instruction and thoughtful modifications for beginners, experienced practitioners, and individuals recovering from injuries.
Our Team
Our instructors specialize in working with a wide range of clients, including those managing back pain, prenatal and postnatal recovery, osteoporosis, scoliosis, hypermobility (including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome [EDS]), and post-physical therapy rehabilitation.
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Instructor
Meet Jon
A lifelong skateboarder, Jon Arturi never thought he’d set foot in a Pilates studio. A torn ACL changed the trajectory. He describes his introduction to Pilates as the physical therapy after physical therapy. PT showed him what intentional, structured movement could do for the body. Pilates became the natural next step. Through 20 years working as a dolly grip on major film and television productions (Superman Man of Steel, Chicago Fire, Patriot, and others) Jon cultivated his love for precision, physical control, and reading the body's limits. It was a critical part of the job day in and day out. Since 2019, Jon has brought the same discipline to his Pilates practice - breaking movement down, refining it, and doing it again. The same nuance and progression Jon excelled at in film now applied to building a body that moves well and pushes the limits of what’s possible. For him, that means keeping up with his energetic son and making it through a 16 hour day on a film set, pain-free. Jon holds a comprehensive certification through Stephanie Considine at Riverside Pilates in the classical tradition of The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado and Michael Miller Pilates. His teaching philosophy is direct: Pilates is for everyone, not just people who stereotypically “look the part.” Jon actively seeks out clients who wouldn't consider themselves a traditional fit, and finds deep fulfillment in watching them discover what their bodies are capable of. Clients come in saying "this hurts" or "I can't do this." They leave saying "Wow, that felt so good." Beyond the studio, Jon can be found riding his bike or vintage Honda motorcycle to and from the studio, watching Premier League soccer, or cooking a creative dinner for his family.
Instructor
Meet Emmi
Emmi discovered Pilates during her freshman year of college. As someone who always stayed active but lacked a consistent workout routine, she fell in love with the simple effectiveness of classical Pilates. By connecting to Pilates principles such as breath and control, Pilates helped Emmi accept her ever-changing body, embrace challenge, and find groundedness even in our bustling modern world. Emmi went on to receive her 900 hour Pilates Teaching certificate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison while completing her B.S. in Kinesiology and Spanish. She is currently attending UW-Madison’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program (Class of 2029), and she looks forward to combining her Pilates experience with clinical knowledge. By integrating these knowledge bases, she hopes to create evidence-backed healing spaces that are accessible to all. Emmi enjoys working with a wide range of movers and collaborates with her clients to form goals specific to their lifestyle - whether that be improving functional strength for daily living, reducing pain after an injury, or honing sport-specific skills. As a current graduate student with an inquisitive mind, Emmi approaches her clients’ experience with curiosity and care. She appreciates the unique challenges we all face and she invites the possibility for joy and satisfaction in progress (not perfection). Outside of Pilates, Emmi enjoys cooking delicious and nutritious food as an everyday creative outlet. She loves being adventurous, whether that be exploring the city of Madison itself or by traveling to more distant destinations when time permits. She’s always looking for book recommendations to enjoy when she’s not reading her study materials!
Instructor
Meet Madison
Madison fell in love with movement at the age of eight, and hasn’t stopped exploring it since. With a background in commercial and modern dance styles, competition performance, and high school and community musical theatre, she has always been drawn to the way dynamic movement connects the body, mind, and spirit. Her Pilates journey began during quarantine when she discovered Mat Pilates as a way to stay mentally grounded and physically active. A community dance program event introduced her to the world of apparatus-based training, and she was immediately hooked. After graduating from California State University, Fullerton in 2024 with a B.A. in dance and a minor in Kinesiology, Madison earned a scholarship that allowed her to complete her Comprehensive Pilates and Mat Pilates Instructor certificates at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA under the guidance of Amelie Hunter, from the Kathy Grant lineage. Her passion for movement, anatomy, and the body’s natural intelligence made the transition from academia to teaching a seamless one. Within her first year, Madison began leading group classes and private sessions at Full Body Pilates and Movement Therapy in Tustin, CA, earned two Pilates instructor certificates, and was honored with the Pilates Student Award for her exemplary dedication and involvement in her teacher training program. Madison believes that Pilates is more than exercise– it’s a powerful tool to cultivate awareness, strength, and balance, both inside and outside the studio. Her teaching style blends thoughtful precision with warmth and encouragement, creating an upbeat and supportive atmosphere. She looks forward to meeting clients where they are and designing programs that will guide them towards a greater sense of confidence, length, and ease. Beyond the Pilates studio, Madison is beginning her professional dance career as an apprentice at Kanopy Dance, right in the heart of Downtown Madison. She’s excited to bring her energy to perform for the residents of Madison, WI, hoping to connect with people from all walks of life. When she’s not dancing or teaching, she enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, and discovering new coffee shops.
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Founder, Executive Director, and Instructor
Meet Caroline
Caroline's Pilates journey began in 1994 while attending the North Carolina School of the Arts. At the time, she didn't fully appreciate the method—but years later, while completing her Pilates certification with second-generation instructor Michele Larsson in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she discovered the depth, precision, and transformative power of Pilates. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for teaching and learning Contemporary and later, Classical Pilates. Before opening her Madison studio in 2014, Caroline taught Pilates in Madison, Wisconsin, and Alexandria, Virginia, while also working as a ballet, contemporary dance, and yoga instructor. These experiences shaped her belief that movement can be both challenging and accessible, and that every client deserves thoughtful, individualized instruction. As Founder and Executive Director of Purple Door Pilates, Caroline has created a welcoming, inclusive studio where clients of all ages, abilities, and experience levels can build strength, confidence, and resilience. Her teaching style encourages clients to work hard while finding joy and laughter in the process. Caroline has extensive experience working with clients referred by physicians and physical therapists, including the UW Spine Clinic. She specializes in helping people move safely and confidently through a wide range of conditions and life stages, including back and spine disorders, joint replacement preparation and recovery, prenatal and postpartum fitness, cancer recovery, and athletic performance optimization. Whether someone is new to exercise, returning from an injury, or striving to reach the next level in their sport, she believes Pilates can meet them where they are. A Master Trainer certified through The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado, Caroline is committed to lifelong learning and preserving the depth of the Classical Pilates method. She also holds a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) certification and continues to deepen her own practice through Pilates, Yoga Nidra, bodywork, and time spent outdoors with her family. Caroline has shared her expertise internationally, teaching Pilates at wellness destinations including Santani Wellness Resort in Sri Lanka and Florblanca Resort in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Above all, Caroline's goal is simple: to create a studio where every person feels welcome, supported, and empowered to move with greater strength, ease, and confidence.
Instructor
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 the University of Wisconsin-Madison's dance program, Ceci began teaching ballet across the city. Discovering her love for Pilates while in college, Ceci later pursued certification through Peak Pilates (L2 certified) at Purple Door Pilates, where she enjoyed the studio's inviting atmosphere and hoped to stay longer. She continues weekly study with Caroline at Purple Door Pilates and furthers her education with Trey Fry at KineticMKE. Ceci's classes focus on reuniting the mind and body through a classically based Reformer flow. This flow aims to calm the mind and reconnect individuals with their bodies. Her calming sessions are ideal for beginners and advanced students looking to revisit the Pilates principles, as she honors the unique mind-body connection at the heart of Pilates. Excited to be part of the Purple Door Pilates team, Ceci eagerly anticipates sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with her students
Instructor
Meet Sophronia (Sophie)
Sophronia's Pilates journey began during her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she discovered the profound impact Pilates had on her dance technique and injury prevention while pursuing a degree in dance. Her passion for movement arts and deepening her mind-body connection led her to explore Pilates further, marking a natural progression in her movement journey. In 2021, Sophronia obtained her Mat certification through UWSP's Pilates Education Program under the expert guidance of Professors Amy Beverdolf and Pamela Luedtke. Driven by her dedication to expand her knowledge and expertise, she pursued Apparatus certification through the Balanced Body program at Studio B Pilates the following year. With six years of Pilates practice and four years of teaching experience in various studios across the Madison area, Sophronia brings a wealth of knowledge to her clients. Sophronia's classes emphasize the nine principles of Pilates, with a focus on establishing a strong mind-body connection. Her client-centered approach ensures tailored instruction that addresses each individual's unique abilities and goals, providing a safe and effective movement practice for everyone, from beginners to experienced athletes. Outside of the studio, Sophronia enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle through dance, running, and biking. Her favorite summer pastime is biking around the scenic lake loop, demonstrating her commitment to embracing movement in all aspects of her life.
Instructor
Meet Julia
Julia's journey into Pilates began with her experience as a dedicated yoga practitioner. After years of intense practice, she realized that yoga alone was not enough to heal her back injury. This prompted her to explore alternative methods, ultimately leading her to discover the transformative benefits of Pilates, particularly for hypermobile bodies. Combining her expertise in yogic mindfulness with Pilates movements, Julia has developed a holistic approach to well-being that emphasizes stress reduction, proprioception, stability, and strength. She is passionate about helping individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), hypermobility, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and other invisible conditions. As a certified yoga instructor and Pilates teacher, Julia tailors her sessions to meet each client's unique needs. She guides them in understanding when to challenge themselves while also practicing self-compassion. By integrating the precision and control of Pilates with the mindfulness and breathwork of yoga, Julia empowers her clients to differentiate between good and bad pain. She creates an environment where they can learn to move safely and confidently. In January 2024, Julia completed "The EDS ECHO Fundamentals of the Integral Movement Method (IMM4)" course offered by the Ehlers-Danlos Society and taught by Jeannie Di Bon. She has also finished the "EDS Physician Online Education Program" from The Medical College of Wisconsin, Office of Continuing & Professional Education. 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.
Studio Greeter
Meet Zoey
I am ten!
Exciting
New Chapters
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A message 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 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 hope to stay in contact with the Purple Door community* and give you updates throughout the next two years. It has been my most immense privilege to meet and teach every single one of you. I have learned much more than I have taught these past two years. It was difficult to leave the community we all lovingly built together."
* she taught pop-up classes at Purple Door Pilates during her holiday break in 2024. More to come!