Community Highlights: Meet Erica Hogan of ATX Pilates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Hogan.

Hi Erica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was first introduced to Pilates over 15 years ago in Los Angeles and it completely shifted how I experienced my body. As a former cross-country runner, I was used to pushing through movement, but Pilates was the first time I felt truly connected to my body.
That experience stayed with me. Over time, I pursued comprehensive certifications and began teaching, initially just wanting to share that same feeling with others. What started as a personal passion slowly evolved into something much bigger. Like most small businesses, the journey didn’t come without its challenges, but those moments really shaped how intentional I’ve become about building both the experience and the community at ATX Pilates.
I founded ATX Pilates with the vision of creating a space that felt different from the traditional fitness environment, more thoughtful, more welcoming, and rooted in both education and community. As we’ve grown, that vision has expanded into multiple locations, a teacher training program, and a team of instructors who genuinely care about the people they’re working with. Today, ATX Pilates is not just a studio it’s a community. And for me, it still comes back to that original moment of connection and wanting others to experience that same sense of strength and alignment in their own bodies.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of building anything meaningful. There have been challenges at every stage and figuring out how to grow sustainably, learning how to lead a team, and navigating the operational side of running a business, which is very different from teaching.
Opening and expanding a studio comes with a lot behind the scenes leases, build-outs, staffing, and making sure the experience stays consistent as you grow.
There were moments early on that were especially challenging and honestly tested whether the business would continue at all. It was one of those defining moments where you either step back or decide to keep going. That experience shaped how resilient and focused I’ve become as a business owner.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important it is to stay anchored in your vision, even when things feel uncertain. Not every opportunity is the right one, and not everyone will align with what you’re building and that’s okay. Surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed makes all the difference.
At the same time, those challenges really shaped how intentional I am today. They pushed me to build stronger systems, invest in the right people, and stay clear on what i want ATX Pilates to feel like.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ATX Pilates?
ATX Pilates is a boutique Pilates studio in Austin focused on intentional, strength-based movement and a highly personalized client experience. We offer small group reformer classes, gently heated mat classes, private sessions, and a teacher training program.
What really sets us apart is how we approach both movement and community. Our classes are designed to be challenging, but also thoughtful grounded in strong cueing, attention to detail, and meeting clients where they are. With smaller class sizes, our instructors are able to be hands on and truly connected to each person in the room.
Beyond the classes themselves, we’ve built ATX Pilates to feel like a space people want to come back to not just for the workout, but for how they feel when they’re here. It’s welcoming, elevated, and supportive without being intimidating. Brand wise, I’m most proud of how consistent the experience feels across everything we do from the way the studios are designed to the way our team interacts with clients. It’s very intentional, but it still feels warm and genuine. More than anything, I want people to know that ATX Pilates is a place where you can walk in at any level and feel supported, challenged, and connected. That balance is really at the core of what we do.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are so many people who have played a role in building ATX Pilates it’s definitely not something I’ve done alone.
My family has been a constant source of support from the beginning, and my husband especially has been there through every phase of the business. Having someone who believes in you during both the exciting moments and the challenging ones makes a huge difference.
Our clients have also been a big part of our growth. We’ve been lucky to build a really loyal community and their trust and consistency have allowed us to continue expanding and evolving.
I also have to credit my studio manager, Anissa. She plays such an important role in the day to day and in maintaining the experience we’re known for. Having someone who truly understands the vision and cares about the business as much as I do is incredibly valuable.
And of course, our instructors they are the heart of ATX Pilates. Each one brings their own perspective, energy, and care into the room, and they’re a huge part of what makes the experience feel so consistent and personal.
ATX Pilates is what it is because of the people behind it and the community that continues to support it.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

The Work Beneath the Movement

There’s a shift that happens when movement becomes more than choreography.

When breath leads.

When alignment makes sense.

When strength is built with intention instead of momentum.

You start to see the layers beneath the work.

Our next round of ATX Pilates Teacher Training is now open.

This program was created to deepen understanding — of Pilates, of anatomy, of intelligent programming, and of what it truly means to guide others through movement with clarity and care.

Teacher training isn’t about memorizing exercises. It’s about learning to see.

Inside this training, you’ll study functional anatomy in a way that connects directly to the reformer. You’ll learn how to read bodies, design thoughtful class progressions, and blend classical foundations with contemporary flow. You’ll practice cueing with precision. You’ll teach. You’ll receive feedback. You’ll build confidence through experience.

The room feels different from the front. There’s awareness. A Responsibility. A Presence. And with that comes a deeper understanding of your own practice.

Many of our graduates continue on to apprentice within the studio. Some now teach on our schedules at SoLa and The Village. Others take their certification into new spaces entirely. Every trainee leaves with a stronger foundation and a sharper eye.

Enrollment is now open. Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience hands on and personal.

If you’ve been curious about going deeper, this is your invitation.

in good health

Start learning

Why I Created ATX Pilates The Village

When I opened ATX Pilates, my goal was simple: create a space where people could build strength in a way that felt supportive, thoughtful, and sustainable. A place where Pilates wasn’t about trends or intensity for intensity’s sake, but about showing up consistently and feeling yourself get stronger over time.

As ATX grew, I started to notice something important.

Our clients were getting stronger. Not just physically, but in their confidence and consistency. Classes were filling up. Schedules were getting tighter. And more and more people were looking for a place where they could train regularly without feeling rushed, crowded, or overwhelmed.

At the same time, the Pilates landscape in Austin was changing. Studios were getting louder. Classes were becoming more about novelty than progression. And while there’s nothing wrong with variety, I felt there was a growing gap for a space that prioritized consistency, strength, and long-term practice.

I created ATX Pilates The Village to fill that gap.

The Village wasn’t about opening “another location.” It was about creating a studio designed specifically for progression. A space where clients could come multiple times a week, find availability that fit their lives, and move through thoughtfully programmed classes that build on each other.

Physically, The Village allowed us to do things we simply couldn’t do before. More reformers. More space. More breathing room. Two reformer rooms that allow for a stronger, more consistent schedule. A gently heated mat room that supports mobility, awareness, and recovery without overpowering the body.

But beyond the layout, The Village represents a deeper intention.

I wanted to create a place where strength could be built calmly. Where challenge feels purposeful, not chaotic. Where instructors have the space to teach with clarity and presence. And where clients feel supported — not watched, judged, or pushed beyond what’s productive.

Pilates, at its core, is about control, precision, and connection. When practiced consistently, it has the power to change how you move through the world. The Village was designed to honor that.

This studio is for the person who wants to feel strong and capable. For the person who values routine over randomness. For the person who understands that real progress doesn’t come from one hard workout, but from showing up again and again.

It’s also for people who might be newer to Pilates and are looking for a place that feels welcoming without being watered down. Where you’re met exactly where you are, but still encouraged to grow.

Community has always been at the heart of ATX Pilates, and The Village is no different. From the instructors who teach there to the clients who train alongside one another, the energy is grounded, focused, and supportive. It’s a place where people come to take care of themselves — not just physically, but mentally as well.

Creating The Village felt like a natural evolution of ATX Pilates. It’s an extension of the values we’ve always held, expressed in a space that allows them to fully come to life.

If you’ve been looking for a Pilates studio where strength is built intentionally, where consistency is encouraged, and where you feel truly supported in your practice, I hope The Village feels like home to you.

We’d love to welcome you.

in good health,

Erica

Nic’s Teaching Journey

How I Found Pilates

Before Pilates, I had been practicing mat-based movement—mostly yoga—for over seven years and teaching for three. At the beginning of 2025, I started exploring different fitness modalities and studios around Austin. Pilates stood out immediately. I fell in love with it right away and knew it would become a core part of my movement practice.

My very first class was at ATX Pilates with Anissa. Her welcoming, bubbly, and charismatic teaching style made the class feel empowering and accessible, and that experience played a huge role in why I connected so deeply with Pilates.

Why Teacher Training

Even after years of teaching movement, I was craving renewed creativity and inspiration. Pilates reignited my excitement for teaching, and joining teacher training felt like the natural next step.

One of my biggest “aha” moments has been learning how transformative Pilates is for spinal health and deep stabilizing muscles. Understanding how intentional sequencing creates a balanced, sustainable workout has completely shifted my perspective.

Growth Along the Way

The most challenging part of training was staying consistent with required hours at first. Once I found a rhythm, everything flowed more easily, and I finished sooner than expected.

The most rewarding part has been growing into a more confident multi-modality instructor. Learning anatomy and working with special populations surprised me the most and deepened my understanding of intentional movement. I feel stronger, more grounded, and more confident in what I’m capable of.

Teaching & Connection

My teaching style is energetic, fun, and fierce. I want students to leave class feeling challenged and like they genuinely had a great time.

Music plays a big role in my classes. Every playlist is curated with intention, creating natural ebbs and peaks in energy. I make an effort to help people feel seen by offering thoughtful modifications and acknowledging students by name.

To me, mind-body connection now means intentionally connecting the mind, body, and spirit in pursuit of a healthier, more fulfilled life.

Beyond the Studio

I carry Pilates into my everyday life through breath, control, and staying present. For anyone considering teacher training, my advice is simple: do it. It’s been one of the most fulfilling decisions I’ve made.

Favorite Pilates move: Rolling Like a Ball
Music on repeat: Charli xcx, Chappell Roan, Kim Petras
Coffee order: Fun seasonal lattes and matcha
One word for this chapter: Invigorated

A Note From Erica

As we head into the holiday season, I’ve been thinking a lot about this community and what it comes to mean to me. Before the holiday rush begins, I wanted to take a quiet moment to share something simple, my gratitude.

ATX Pilates has grown and shifted in ways I couldn't have predicted. But what stays constant, what feels most important is the impact of the people who show up here. Whether you’re in class regularly, pop in when your schedule allows or stay connected in quieter ways, you contribute to the feeling of this space. I notice it and feel it.

This studio has never been just a studio for me. It’s been intertwined with my own growth, physically, mentally and creatively. But its the people in the room, the effort you bring, the small moments before and after class, the shared commitment to showing up. Those are the things that make it meaningful. I dont take that for granted.

As we move into today I just want you to know how grateful I am to be surrounded by a community like this. Thank you for being here. Thank you for trusting this space, and allowing ATX Pilates to be part of your world in whatever way it feels right for you.

I hope the days ahead offer you a moment to breathe and reset yourself before the holiday energy begins.