Erica Holopainen
Certified Instructor
Bio
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Erica has been drawn to movement from an early age. She grew up playing tennis and soccer and discovered Pilates after it was recommended as a way to help prevent injuries and support her soccer practice. She quickly noticed the impact it had not only on her strength, but on the way she moved and felt in hear body.
After practicing for a long time, Erica was inspired to share that experience with others and joined our first cohort of instructor trainees at l.a. springs. In 2025, she completed her Reformer certification and joined the team at the studio. A lifelong student of movement, Erica is always deepening her practice and brings that curiosity into her teaching. Her challenging, well-balanced classes incorporate long reps and isometric holds, with a grounding sense of calm and focused energy that helps students really sink into their bodies as they build strength from the inside out.
What brought you to Pilates?
I started practicing Pilates about eight years ago. I originally got into it through sports. I played soccer for a long time, and Pilates was recommended to me as a way to help with injury prevention and strengthen the smaller muscles that sometimes get overlooked. I was already really into yoga, so I think Pilates felt like a natural progression for me. The more I practiced, the more I realized how strong it made me feel, and also helped me with anxiety and stress, so I just kept coming back to it.
You were a regular at the studio before doing the training. What did you like about Springs? Did you go to a lot of other places, and how did it compare for you?
I had definitely tried a lot of different studios before Springs, and I think what immediately stood out to me was the energy of the space. Sometimes fitness spaces can feel intimidating or you have to look or be a certain way to fit in, and l.a. springs never felt like that to me.
I also loved that the classes could be challenging without feeling overly serious or precious. I could get a really good workout, feel stronger, and also genuinely have fun.
What made you want to do the training at the studio?
Honestly, I think by the time I decided to do the training, I had already spent so much time there that it felt like the obvious place to do it. I loved the way the instructors taught and the energy they brought to class. I also liked that there wasn't just one personality or one "type" of instructor.
I wanted to learn how to teach in a way that made people feel strong and challenged, but also comfortable and welcome. Springs had already shown me that Pilates could be a really effective workout without making the environment feel intimidating, and that's something I wanted to be able to create for other people too.
Can you reflect a bit on how Pilates has helped you with stress/anxiety? Is it something you mainly notice when taking class, or do you feel like those effects extend beyond the studio and into your everyday life?
Pilates has genuinely been one of the most helpful things in my life when it comes to managing stress and anxiety. I definitely notice the effects during class because for that entire time, I have to be present. I can't really multitask or spiral about everything else going on in my life when I'm trying to remember what my right leg is doing while balancing on a moving carriage.
But I think the effects extend beyond the studio too. Pilates has taught me how important it is to check in with my body and take a step back when I'm feeling overwhelmed. It's become this consistent thing in my life that helps me reset.
I also think there's something really empowering about realizing what your body is capable of. When you're feeling anxious, you can sometimes feel disconnected from yourself or like everything is out of your control. Pilates helps bring me back to myself. I leave feeling stronger, calmer, and usually with a much clearer head—and I think that carries into the rest of my day.
What made you want to teach and how do you feel when teaching?
Teaching has honestly been such a fun and unexpectedly rewarding experience. I decided to start teaching to help people get stronger and help them build the kind of strength that supports them in their life. I love seeing people realize that they're stronger than they thought they were. I also really love creating an environment where people can work hard but still have fun and not take themselves too seriously.
I think because Pilates has had such a positive impact on me personally, it feels really special to be able to share that with other people. At the end of the day, I want people to leave my class feeling more confident, and like they did something good for themselves.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the studio?
My life has been a little bit all over the place. I went to law school and graduated with my Juris Doctor, and I actually recently took the bar exam. But somewhere along the way, I realized that I didn't necessarily want to follow the traditional path I had originally imagined for myself.
I've always been drawn to creative spaces and have worked in music, entertainment, retail, and the arts, so I'm kind of figuring out what that next chapter looks like. Outside of work and Pilates, I love going to concerts and movies, drinking way too much coffee, and spending time with my boyfriend, family, and dog. I've always loved being around music and creative people, and I think that's probably where I feel the most inspired.
Fun fact
A pretty wild fun fact is that, 3 years ago I was hit by a truck while crossing the street and somehow came out of the accident with zero injuries. I know I was incredibly lucky, but I also genuinely credit Pilates with helping walk away with zero broken bones. It made me even more appreciative of how much strength and resilience I had built through my practice. It's definitely not the Pilates testimonial I ever expected to have, but it made me even more grateful for everything Pilates has done for me.
Zodiac sign
Virgo
Describe your teaching style
Athletic, focused, effective