Who We Are

At The Core Place, we assist clients in harnessing energy and focus to bring awareness into their bodies. We believe the mind is the source of strength and everything moves outward from there. We hone your inner power through dynamic movement and mindful precision. A Pilates-based fitness studio in the heart of Maplewood, NJ committed to tuning in and turning up your body’s intelligence.

Owner and head trainer Claudia Aarts-Schreiber brings many years of expertise in body conditioning. At the core of her practice is Claudia’s passion to assist her clients to feel the best they can in their own body.

Group Classes, Private Training & pre and postnatal

  • Head instructor and owner of The Core Place, Claudia has years of experience in movement and body conditioning. After a professional dance career, she worked in New York City as a fitness trainer to professional dancers and athletes, among them Prima Ballerina Misty Copeland. She is Pilates certified by the Physicalmind Institute and the Kane School. Claudia is also certified in the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM, TRX Suspension Training, BodyCode System and the Reinvention Method.

    The Core Place brings all of Claudia’s strengths together focusing on the whole body working from the inside out to help clients tap into their maximum potential. Her workouts are dynamic, fun, but most of all, center your body through core strength while optimizing the body's mobility.

    Claudia’s journey into movement and health started at the age of 7 while recovering from childhood leukemia, regaining strength through ballet classes. Her professional dance career took her all over the world, dancing with Carolina Ballet, as a partner to star dancer Angel Corella in Spain and later as a soloist with the Norwegian National Ballet. After having taught at a number of fitness studios, she became one of the original instructors at ChaiseFitness NYC and later owned two ChaiseFitness studios in NJ.

Meet the Team

group classes, Private Sessions & pre and postnatal

  • Hailing from the United Kingdom, Catriona has been teaching Pilates for 10 years. She received her Pilates Apparatus Certification from Core Pilates in Manhattan. Catriona is a former dancer who trained under Merce Cunningham and holds a BA in Dance from the LABAN Institute, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Dance Education. Catriona's strives to help clients improve strength and flexibility through PIlates using breathing work to achieve proper alignment and accurate movement.

Group Classes & Private Sessions

  • Briana is a New Jersey native with a lifelong passion for dance and fitness. She holds a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University graduating Magna Cum Laude. Briana is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness trainer as well as Ballroom dance instructor. She brings her interest for Kinesiology and Anatomy into her dynamic classes to make them mindful and fun for all levels and body types.

group classes & private training

  • Karina brings nearly two decades of experience as a Pilates instructor. She holds a BFA from Tish School of the Art - NYU, is a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor (NCPT), certified TRX Suspension trainer and Specialist in Pilates Based Education for Neurological Conditions. After a career on Broadway, Karina has worked with performers and athletes as well as clients diagnosed with MS and cancer. Her versatility and proficiency with special populations will enhance every experience on clients’ wellness journey.

Group classes

  • Rosa grew up in Maplewood, NJ where she started her dance training. She graduated from Columbia High School where she was a member of the Special Dance Company. Rosa holds a BFA in Dance from George Mason University. She discovered mindful fitness through her dance training which is an integral aspect of her life. Rosa’s classes are dynamic and make you sweat, in an inclusive and uplifting environment. Next to fitness, she works as a dancer, choreographer and photographer.

Group classes & Private Training

  • Lauren's love of movement began with dance and gymnastics and later expanded into Pilates and group fitness. Lauren is fully certified in Pilates mat, Pilates apparatus, TRX, as well as the Reinvention Method. Lauren worked as studio manager at ChaiseFitness in NYC for many years. She recently brought her love of Pilates to New Jersey and teaches at several studios locally. Lauren will help you find your deep core connection!

Studio Manager

  • After an international ballet career Felix graduated from Pratt Institute with a MFA in Fine Arts. This multidisciplinary artist, made his passion for organization his work. He has worked as a project manager in fitness studios, galleries, and in construction and design consulting. His core job is to make everything line up in sync.

We believe the mind is the source of strength and everything moves outward from there. We hone your inner power through dynamic movement and mindful precision.