Published Articles
Ms. Hoekstra, owner of ABsolute Pilates, is an author contributing on a regular basis to various publications and has written several fitness articles that describe how movement continues to evolve in the professional fitness industry. Her mission is to create and teach movement that creates awareness with mind and body and is doing so, promote a System of Smart Movement®. ‘Watching people move in a manner with grace that creates good energy is something worth teaching and both equally rewarding for student and teacher’. Monica is passionate about teaching and enjoys coaching clients and students to achieve their optimal fitness goals. She considers herself blessed to be part of an elite group of highly trained professionals.
*Articles courtesy of Society Magazine / Charlotte.
‘Our bodies changes our mind, our mind changes our behavior, our behavior changes outcomes’ - Amy Cuddy, Power Posing TED Talk October 2012
Last night I watched Amy Cuddy’s now famous talk on power posing for the first time. For those of you who are familiar with he...
The Art of Smart Stretching!
Effective stretching is a vital component to living well!
When practiced regularly it enhances all types of athletic training, aids in preventing injury and promotes an ease of daily movement in our bodies that is synomous with overall heal...
Finally the warm weather is here! Time to get rid of the puffer jackets, turtlenecks and any garment with the word ‘fleece’ or ‘flannel’.
Despite the season, a recent survey revealed that 65 percent of woman said they did not feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit...
As the weather is getting warmer many of us have signed up or are thinking about signing up for one or more races come springtime. For some this may be in the form of a 5K, a 10K or a half marathon. For others it might be an open water swim competition, sprint triathlo...
While watching the Summer Olympic athletes this summer, I was reminded of how hard they have worked to make their movements appear incredible and, at the same time, effortless. All athletes in all disciplines show various displays of “art of movement” but the gymnasts...
In today’s fitness culture, the indiscriminate use of free weights, machines and spring-loaded resistance is synonymous with strength. More weight is commonly perceived as better and therefore must lead to better results. But because more and more people are injuringth...
Here’s to a New Year of health and fitness!So you have resolved to try something new.Like the latest trends in fashion, fitness also has its current “vogue.” What follows is a list of ten suggested fitness activities that may represent an opportunity for you to try som...
We all strive to make sure that all goes well during the holidays so why not make sure that all is well with your body? I am no fitness guru or nutritional expert but this I know for sure:Use your body wisely and treat it with kindness and respect because it is one of...
In our high-tech society of typing and texting and sitting for hours, 80percent of Americans experience pain as a result of poor postural habits. This pain and tension can be felt in the neck, the shoulders, the low back, the hips, the knees and the ankles. So how can...
Fitness professionals witness the same phenomena every year: Attendance significantly increases not only at our facility but also at fitness clubs throughout the nation after New Year’s. Regulars simply wait for the frenzy to pass as every year the newcomers typically...