Meet The Dark Horse Team

I started my Pilates Journey in 2010 in Orlando Florida. After many years of weightlifting and martial arts, I suffered a back injury. No longer able to lift and twist my waist, I needed something challenging and healthy to pursue. Fast forward to 2023...after being recruited for a Senior Radiology position with a large university affiliation in Chapel Hill NC, I scoured the area looking for a Pilates studio where I could finish my Pilates teachers training certification. I walked into Ab-solute Pilates. and a new chapter began. After 42 years in healthcare as a senior technologist, applications trainer, manager, my second career started with the Dark Horse stable, following in the footsteps of Joseph H Pilates, Romana Kryzanowska, now Janice Dulak. 

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I am honored to be a part of this program and training under the mentorship of Lisa Pellow at Touchstone Pilates in Pittsburgh. My goal as a teacher is to create a safe and supportive space to build physical and mental strength. Through awareness of the body and how it holds stress, I want to be a source of relief and inner peace amidst external chaos.

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I’ve been practicing Pilates for a year, but the method has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As an intern at Dark Horse Pilates, I’m excited to deepen my understanding of the method and discover how profoundly it works within the body.

Karla is certified in Romana's Pilates and holds a Power Pilates senior teacher certification, with additional training through Stott Pilates. She is BarreAmped certified, a personal fitness specialist through the Cooper Aerobics Institute, and has completed senior teacher training with Kathy Ross Nash. Carla is currently training extensively with Janice Dulak. Through this mentorship, Carla is deepening her expertise in authentic Pilates technique and teacher development. She is passionate about bringing Dark Horse Pilates mentorship and certification programs to Arkansas, elevating the standard of instruction and inspiring the next generation of highly skilled Pilates professionals.

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Pilates isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Inspired by Monica at Absolute Pilates in Charlotte, I found my calling in helping others move better and feel stronger through Dark Horse Pilates. I love being part of people’s journey to feeling better in their bodies.

Lauren is a physiotherapist who has been teaching Pilates since 2009. As she continues to study and practice, she is more and more fascinated by the depth of the Pilates method as taught by Romana. She is very happy to work with Janice and shares her commitment to continuously developing and refining the fundamentals contained in each exercise. Lauren is also excited to work with Janice to bring a teacher training to Finland which will incorporate practical activities with horses and riders!

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Growing up as an athlete, I struggled to find how movement fit into my life as an adult. After finding Pilates, it quickly became a passion that I want to share with others. Working with Monica at ABsolute in Charlotte, NC, I knew Dark Horse Pilates was the path for me. I am thrilled to learn from Janice and honored to be part of the lineage of Joseph Pilates and Romana Kryzanowska.

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Julie is training with Mentor teacher, Monica Hoekstra, at Absolute Pilates in Charlotte, NC. She discovered pilates 20 years ago but only recently found her calling when delving into the classical method. Julie has a background in sports and dance, and living an active healthy lifestyle is important to her. She is dedicated to passing on the classical work and teaching style of Master teacher, Janice Dulak. Julie lives in Winston Salem, NC with her 3 children.

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After completing my comprehensive, classical Pilates teacher training, I felt like I still needed a deeper understanding of the work of Joseph Pilates. I found Monica at Absolute Pilates and she has given me so many tools to help clients and my own body. I knew I had to be part of such a passionate and committed community.  I'm grateful to have found Dark Horse Pilates.

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I fell in love with classical pilates while living in Hong Kong many years ago. For the past 8 years I have practiced Romana’s pilates. As an intern with Dark Pilates and Janice I am gaining a deeper understanding. I am grateful to have Karen Leopardi, the owner of True Pilates Berkshire’s and Lisa Pellow, owner of Touchstone Pilates as my mentors. 

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As a clinical exercise physiologist, I aim to help people with chronic disease improve their quality of life through exercise. After discovering Pilates last year and experiencing its benefits, I was inspired to pursue certification so I can share it with others. I’m just beginning my journey, but I’m eager to learn as an intern with DHP.

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