Real stories from real clients, in their own words. From chronic pain and post-surgery recovery to lifelong movers and professional athletes, hear how therapeutic yoga and Pilates at our Iowa City studio changed the way they move and feel.
Book a Class Start with an OrientationAfter the pandemic left her out of shape and not feeling like herself, Alison, a University of Iowa professor, went looking for a place to move and to belong. She found both at Serenity. From her very first class, Marcie made her feel that simply showing up was enough, and that welcome, paired with the right kind of movement, helped her feel like herself again.
Allison, a physics professor, first came to Serenity with the kind of shoulder and neck pain that builds up after years at a desk. With movement that targeted exactly the right muscles, and Marcie’s eye for detail, that pain is now simply gone. She no longer sees a doctor for it, and she says the one-on-one attention is what keeps her coming back.
Pat, a retired University of Iowa faculty member, has been with Serenity since the very beginning. When he had hip-replacement surgery, Pilates became an important part of his recovery, helping him focus on exactly the muscle groups that needed it. Just as valuable, he says, is the community that makes it easy, and worth it, to keep coming back.
Dr. Kathy, a family physician living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and a new osteoporosis diagnosis, arrived genuinely afraid of injuring herself, yet knowing she needed to get stronger. When she learned that Marcie’s master’s research was in osteoporosis, she knew she had found her place. With Marcie watching every movement, she has safely and steadily rebuilt both her mobility and her strength.
Sharon and Sylvia, both retired and in their seventies, have been part of Serenity for seven years. What started as a single, tentative chair-yoga class quickly became much more, as they realized they could do far more than they expected. Today they point to better strength, better sleep, and a brighter outlook, and the friendships they have made are reason enough to keep showing up.
Amy owns The Groom Station in West Branch, and a decade of grooming had taken a real toll on her shoulders, feet, and posture. Serenity changed that. Between a weekly private session and her classes, she is standing taller and moving more easily, and she says even an hour at the studio helps her feel mentally ready for the day ahead.
Rob, a professional athlete, came to Serenity during COVID looking for a training approach that could keep up with him. He found that Marcie had worked with high-level athletes before and took the time to learn the position-specific demands of his sport. After a chest-muscle injury, that foundation helped him come back stronger, in body and in mind.
Read real reviews from the yoga, Pilates, and barre students who practice with us at our Iowa City studio.
Every story here started with a first visit. Yours can too, at our Iowa City studio, with movement scaled to exactly where your body is today.
