Monica Hoekstra is the creator and founder of CORE BARRE-Smart Movement® and the Systems of Smart Movement®. 

 

Core Barre is a result of Ms Hoekstra’s professional dance and pilates background.  She was taught early on the importance of the art of movement with her classical ballet training in the Vaganova Ballet style.  The principle of this style is based on the expression of elegance that leads to technical precision and artistic impression.  Monica wished to replicate this principle with Core Barre by means of creating a classical system of movement and education that is rewarding and fulfilling for both the teacher and the student.

 

Ms. Hoekstra's teaching experience spans over twenty years.  She holds both Classical and Contemporary Certifications in Pilates through Romana's Pilates under the direction of Sari Mejia Santo and by the New York Pilates Teacher Training Program.  She also holds a full certification by Balanced Body®, and  formerly Stott Pilates® for which she was an Instructor Trainer for ten years and a Lead Instructor Trainer for two years.  Ms. Hoekstra is certified by the NCPT® National Certified Pilates Teacher) and by ACE® (American Council on Exercise), and is a provider of continuing education for PMA® and ACE®.

 

Monica is also a Certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Trainer and a former GYROTONIC® Level 1 Pre-Trainer.  She credits this methodology for inspiring her creativity and adding diversity to her teaching.  She is also fully trained by Aaron Mattes in advanced level AIS:  Active Isolated Stretching.

 

Monica has had the pleasure of learning from many of the leading industry pilates professionals from both the authentic classical pilates method as well the contemporary approach.

 

Ms. Hoekstra has trained student instructors nationwide as well as in Brazil and in Eastern Europe. She is an author contributing to various publications and has written several fitness articles that describe how movement continues to evolve in the professional fitness industry.

 

Monica is passionate about teaching and enjoys coaching clients and students to achieve their optimal fitness goals.  She credits much of her early teaching experience to Bela Kovarski, John Landovsky and Pavel Rotaru, Rotaru International Ballet, who taught the importance of teaching a strong solid foundation and a structured syllabus not only in ballet, but also in pilates and movement.

 

Her teaching style is both encouraging and motivating with an emphasis on technique and biomechanics.

She also understands the need to simply keep people moving while guiding them in their own journey of self discovery through an awareness with mind and body for an appreciation of smart movement®.

 

Ms. Hoekstra was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and speaks Hungarian. She had the pleasure of dancing and performing with the Kodaly Dance Ensemble of Canada.  She now resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband of 30 years.  Monica is the also the owner of ABsolute Pilates, established in 2001.