Exercise During and After Breast Cancer Treatment: Yoga Therapy and Pilates in Iowa City

Movement during and after breast cancer treatment has to be done carefully, and it has to be done with someone who understands what treatment does to the body: the shoulder that will not lift the way it used to, the fatigue that comes and goes, the range of motion that needs rebuilding a little at a time. Serenity offers that kind of movement in Iowa City, one person at a time.

Our approach to breast cancer exercise

At our studio, we are committed to supporting individuals affected by breast cancer through safe, gentle, and effective movement during and after treatment. Our instructor, Marcie Evans, is BCES certified, bringing specialized knowledge and training to help breast cancer clients exercise safely and confidently. Through Pilates and yoga therapy, and individualized movement, we focus on rebuilding strength, improving mobility and posture, restoring balance, and supporting overall well-being. We understand that every person’s journey is unique, so sessions are tailored to each client’s needs, energy levels, and abilities, with special attention to shoulder mobility, range of motion, and recovery. Our goal is to provide a compassionate, supportive environment where clients feel empowered to reconnect with their bodies and improve their quality of life.

What a session looks like

Sessions are private and one-on-one, so the work matches where you are that day, not a class plan. Some days that is gentle yoga therapy focused on breath, shoulder mobility, and range of motion. Other days it is Pilates on the mat or the reformer to rebuild core strength and posture. The pace, the load, and the length of the session follow your energy level, and everything can be scaled down or built up from one visit to the next.

Before you start

Check with your care team first. Once they have cleared you for exercise, let us know where you are in treatment or recovery, any restrictions from your surgeon or oncologist, and anything that feels off in your shoulder, chest, or arm. That conversation is the first part of your first session.

About Marcie

Marcie Evans is a Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist (BCES) and the only Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) in the Iowa City area. She has taught mind-body movement since 1999, and cancer recovery, including post-mastectomy work, is one of her specialties. Read more about her training and background on her page.

How to book

Breast cancer exercise sessions are booked as private training. Call the studio at (319) 541-4997, email marcie@serenitywellnesstherapy.com, or send a message through the contact page, and tell us you are getting back to movement during or after breast cancer treatment. We will take it from there.

If you would rather start with a group class once you are further along, our gentle yoga and mat Pilates classes are small and modified to every body in the room.