Mat Pilates Classes in Iowa City
Your body, a mat, and focused, controlled movement.
Beginner-friendly Mat Pilates in our Iowa City studio.
MAT PILATES AT SERENITY
Pilates, stripped back to its foundation
No machines and no springs, just the original exercises Joseph Pilates designed to build deep core strength, improve posture, and help your body move the way it is supposed to. Our mat classes are small, welcoming, and taught with the same therapeutic attention we are known for.
Deep core strength
Tone and strengthen the muscles most workouts miss.
Balanced body
Correct imbalances built up from sitting and daily routines.
A happier back
Support your spine from the inside out to ease back pain.
Better posture
Stand taller with improved balance and body awareness.
NEW THIS FALL
Intro to Pilates: Mat, a 6-Week Series with Tricia
New to Pilates? This class is designed with you in mind.
Whether you’re brand new to Pilates or returning to movement after time away, you’ll build a strong foundation through intentional, low-impact exercises that improve core strength, posture, balance, flexibility, and body awareness.
Classes move at a comfortable pace with clear instruction, individualized guidance, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Tricia’s goal is to help you feel confident, supported, and encouraged every step of the way as you learn the fundamentals of Pilates in a welcoming environment.
With regular practice, Mat Pilates can help you:
- Tone and strengthen muscles, especially the deep core muscles most workouts miss
- Correct muscle imbalances that build up from sitting, driving, and daily routines
- Prevent and ease back pain by supporting your spine from the inside out
- Improve posture, balance, and body awareness
No prior Pilates experience is necessary, just come as you are.
Series Details
When: Thursdays at 5:30 PM
Dates: August 27 through October 1 (6 classes)
Cost: $90 for all 6, or $18 per class
Where: 610 Eastbury Drive, Suite #2, Iowa City
No orientation required. Reserve your spot and come to class.
WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?
Mat Pilates or Reformer Pilates?
Both build strength, stability, and control. The difference is the tool. Reformer Pilates uses a spring-resistance machine that guides and supports your movement. Mat Pilates uses your own body weight, which asks your core to do more of the stabilizing work on its own.
There is no wrong door. Many of our students do both: mat classes to build body awareness and core control, and reformer sessions to add resistance and range. If you are brand new, the Intro to Pilates: Mat series is a gentle, affordable way in. And if you fall in love with Pilates (most people do), the reformer is waiting.
Who Mat Pilates Is For
Beginners are the whole point of this series, but mat work is for anyone who wants a stronger, more resilient body.
New to Pilates
Learn the fundamentals properly, from the very first class.
Desk workers
Counteract the rounded shoulders and tight hips of sitting all day.
Nagging back pain
Strengthen the muscles that support your spine, and ask about private sessions if you need one-on-one attention.
Yogis and athletes
Add core precision that carries into every other practice.
WHY SERENITY
Why take Pilates at Serenity
A therapeutic eye
Founded by Marcie Evans, a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and exercise physiologist. Classes here meet your body where it is, not where a workout video assumes it should be.
Genuinely small groups
You will never be a face in row six. Instructors see you, cue you, and adjust for you.
Trusted in Iowa City since 2008
A woman-owned studio that has been helping this community move and feel better for over fifteen years.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Meet Tricia Morales
Hi! I’m Tricia Morales, a certified Pilates instructor, wife, and mom of three who is passionate about helping others discover that movement can be both empowering and enjoyable.
I fell in love with Pilates because of the way it builds strength, improves posture, increases flexibility, and helps you move through everyday life with greater confidence. My background in counseling and my experience as a busy mom have shaped my teaching style: I strive to create a calm, encouraging environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and comfortable learning at their own pace.
After completing my Pilates certification, I’ve continued my training through practice teaching and mentorship with Marcie Evans at Serenity School of Yoga and Pilates. I believe Pilates is for every body, regardless of age or fitness level, and I love helping beginners build a strong foundation while celebrating progress along the way.
Whether you’re stepping onto a mat for the very first time or returning to exercise after a break, my goal is for you to leave each class feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to come back.
What Our Iowa City Students Say
MAT PILATES FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
New to mat work, or new to Serenity? Here is what most people want to know before their first class.
Do I need any experience to join Intro to Pilates: Mat?
None at all. The series is designed for true beginners. Every exercise is taught from the ground up, with modifications for every body.
Do I need to do an orientation first?
No. There is no orientation requirement for the mat series. Reserve your spot, come to your first class, and Tricia will take it from there.
What should I bring or wear?
Comfortable clothes you can move in and a water bottle. Mats and props are provided at the studio. Grip socks are optional for mat classes.
Is Mat Pilates a good workout, or is it just stretching?
It is a genuine strength workout. It simply targets muscles differently than lifting or cardio. Expect your core, glutes, and stabilizing muscles to work hard, and expect to feel it the next day.
Can Mat Pilates help with back pain?
For many people, yes. Strengthening the deep core muscles that support the spine is one of the best-studied ways to reduce and prevent everyday back pain. If you have an injury or diagnosis, mention it to your instructor, and consider a private session first so we can tailor the work to you.
What is the difference between this and your reformer classes?
Mat classes use body weight on a mat. Reformer classes use our spring-based reformer machines. See the comparison above, or explore our reformer program.
Where are classes held?
At our studio at 610 Eastbury Drive, Suite #2, Iowa City. Directions and parking here.
LET’S GET STARTED
Ready to start? Your mat is waiting.
Spots in the Intro to Pilates: Mat series are limited. Our classes stay small on purpose.
Explore more at Serenity: Reformer Pilates · Yoga · Barre