Rivercity Pilates Customer Appreciation Day

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Celebrate Purple Friday with Free Classes, Special Deals, and More at Rivercity Pilates!

Mark your calendars! Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty is gearing up for our much-anticipated Annual Purple Friday Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, November 29th! This year’s celebration promises to be better than ever, with free classes, exclusive boutique discounts, gift packages, and even a prize drawing—all to show our gratitude for our wonderful clients and community.

Free In-Person & Virtual Classes—Reserve Your Spot Today!

Our Purple Friday is all about giving back, so we’re excited to offer FREE in-person and virtual classes throughout the day. Whether you’re a Pilates enthusiast or just curious to give it a try, there’s something for everyone! Bring a friend or family member and double the fun.

Here’s the class lineup:

  • 8:00 AM – Pilates Tower Small Group with Rachel (5 people max)
  • 9:00 AM – Yoga for Everybody with Shuva (5 people max)
  • 10:00 AM – Pilates Mat with Kellee (5 people max)
  • 11:00 AM – Pilates Mat with Kathryn (5 people max)

If you’re traveling or prefer a home workout, join us for our 8:00 AM Virtual All Level Pilates Mat class with Donny via Zoom! Grab a spot before they fill up—reserve on Mindbody or by emailing us.

Email us to reserve a spot in a Free Purple Friday Class

Special Deals in the Boutique—Perfect for Holiday Gifting!

The Rivercity Pilates Boutique will be fully stocked with Pilates props, fitness gifts, self-care goodies, and gift packages for all the wellness lovers in your life. Every VIP Purple Friday shopper will receive a free gift with any purchase, and we’ll have special deals on everything, from small group sessions to gift certificates!

Want your gifts wrapped and ready to go? Stop by our gift-wrapping station to add that special touch to your presents.

Bring a Guest & Double Your Prize Entries!

Bring a friend or family member to our Purple Friday celebration, and you’ll both get an extra entry in our prize drawing!

Don’t Miss Out!

We’re counting down the days to Purple Friday and can’t wait to celebrate with you. Remember, spots are limited, so reserve your class and mark your calendar for a day full of movement, relaxation, and holiday cheer at Rivercity Pilates.

We’ll see you on November 29th! 🎉

Introducing Our New Pilates Mat Instructor: Meet Kellee!

We are thrilled to announce that Kellee has joined the Rivercity Pilates team as our newest Pilates Mat instructor! After completing her 200-hour Pilates Mat teacher training with @size_diverse_pilates, she’s ready to bring her passion and energy to our studio. Starting October 7th, Kellee will lead a weekly small group session every Monday at 6:30 am.

If you’ve been searching for a reason to start a morning movement routine, this is it! Kellee’s focus on creating a mindful, enjoyable movement practice will help set the tone for your entire week. We know you’re going to love her enthusiasm as she helps you start your day with strength and focus.

How to Sign Up

Booking a session with Kellee is easy! You can schedule directly through the Mindbody app under “Appointments” or simply message or email us, and we’ll take care of the rest. Your first session is free—so why not give it a try?

Get to Know Kellee

We sat down with Kellee to ask her a few questions, and we think her answers will inspire you just as much as they did us!

What do you love about Pilates?
I love how strong the practice makes me feel, both on and off the mat.

What benefits have you received from your Pilates practice?
Pilates has bolstered my patience. It’s taught me how to show my body grace, especially when I face a challenging exercise.

What’s your favorite Pilates exercise to practice?
I love a heart opener, so Swan is a must for my personal practice.

What’s your favorite Pilates exercise to teach?
The Side Kick Series gives me a chance to flex my creativity and have fun with my clients.

Favorite Pilates prop?
I am a girl who craves convenience, so I adore the resistance band. It’s portable and provides strength and support simultaneously. 

Your favorite teaching moment so far?
 My favorite teaching moment is any time a client starts a session in a less than stellar mood, but leaves that session with a smile and feeling even a pinch better than before they started. Goosebumps for me!

Favorite “aha” moment in your own practice?
I’ve discovered that my personal practice no longer belongs only to me. It’s a time to refuel both my movement and my creativity. I love walking away from my personal practice with a gem I can share with my clients. 

What do beginner students love about your teaching style?
 I begin every session with a client with two questions: How is your mind feeling today? How is your body feeling today? Answering is optional, of course, but my clients who are new to the practice seem to welcome the opportunity to give voice to their current state before launching into movement.

How do you want your clients to feel after their Pilates session?
I want them to feel strong in body and grounded in mind.

Fun Facts About Kellee

Favorite book?
Sula by Toni Morrison.
I own it in many formats (including hardcover and paperback first editions) and reread it once a year. I even have a quote from the novel inked on my arm. Beautiful story of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness. 

Favorite movement-related book?
Rethink Your Position by Katy Bowman.
Rethink Your Position by Katy Bowman. It’s the one guide I come back to when I think about the everyday functional movement that mirrors what we do and teach in Pilates. 

Favorite food?
I have the palate of a frat boy, so cheese fries would be the answer everyday.

Favorite season?
Autumn—it’s a beautiful time of transformation.

Advice for new Pilates students?
Listen to your body, play with props, and – above all – have fun. This is your time to get to know your body in movement., play with props, and most importantly, have fun! Pilates is a journey of getting to know your body.

How would you describe Pilates in one sentence?
Pilates is a lifelong study of how your body moves in everyday life.

We can’t wait for you to experience Kellee’s unique approach to Pilates. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to Pilates, her Monday morning classes will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on the week.

Come meet Kellee and see for yourself how Pilates can change your life!

Are you over age 60?

We have a special class designed for YOU!

We are all aging.   However, how you think about aging, and how you move as you get older is yours to decide. 

You know that I recommend a regular movement practice as a way to keep your body feeling as strong and mobile as you can. If you know you need to move more in your life but feel like you might need some guidance and motivation to help you do it…I have some exciting news for you!    

We have a small group training session on Thursday mornings at 10 am especially for you. 

You’ll receive individual attention from our instructor while doing a variety of exercises (some traditional Pilates, some designed to help you build strength, some designed specifically to help improve your balance and most designed to improve your bone strength).    Everything is more fun with a small group of people with similar goals — right?

You can expect to have stronger bones, increase flexibility, improve posture, improve your balance and overall strength if you attend these sessions consistently.  The training session will include exercises done standing, it will include exercises done lying down, exercises done seated and your instructor will always help you adapt exercises to your body.

  • You’ll be a good fit for this small group training session if:
  • You are over 60 and looking for exercise to help you stay strong and flexible
  • You want to work on improving your balance
  • You need to move more in your life (ie – you spend more time sitting than you’d like to admit)
  • You like to have fun while you exercise (who doesn’t right?!!)
  • You enjoy and appreciate feedback from an instructor on how to do movements safely and most effectively in your body
  • You enjoy working with highly trained instructors, but can’t afford $85 a session for private sessions
  • You want to do everything you can to keep your bones healthy and strong
  • You are looking for something to motivate you to exercise regularly
  • You like working out with others but don’t want to be lost in a big group.
  • You love the idea of a workout customized to you!

Meet Your Instructor

Mary is a retired physical therapist previously working with people with orthopedic problems. She began practicing Pilates around 2006 and went on to complete the Stott Pilates training program in 2009.

Mary is a firm believer in the need to “keep moving and finds Pilates and its principles very helpful for maintaining flexibility and strength. She feels it is an essential form of exercise to manage aches and pains while maintaining functional mobility.

Mary teaches a customized session designed to strengthen your entire body help create balance and mobility.   

Register for class!

Are you nodding your head yes?    Do you want to take control of your body and how it ages?

Register for Small Group Balance Session!

Yoga for Strength & Stability

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We have a new Beginner Yoga for strength and stability starting next Wednesday and I was thinking about how something as simple as taking a 4 week Yoga series could really make an impact in someone’s life. 

Your first Yoga class might not be the start of a new career like my first Pilates class was.  Yet you could discover that you really enjoy Yoga and start exploring a Yoga practice, you could meet new people that you enjoy moving and exercising with and and you could realize that something as simple as a weekly Yoga class could help you feel amazingly better in your body.

We’re excited to introduce a new 4-week yoga series at Rivercity Pilates—Strength and Stability Yoga, designed specifically for beginners! This unique class incorporates the steel mace, a powerful prop that enhances your practice by building strength and stability.

Strength & Stability Yoga Series Details

  • Duration: 4 Weeks
  • When: 5:30 pm – 6:20 p.m. Wednesdays – Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9.
  • Where: Rivercity Pilates
  • Cost: $99 for the 4 week series or use any current small group package

We understand that the steel mace might seem intimidating, but in our supportive and welcoming environment, you’ll find it to be an incredible tool for deepening your yoga journey.  Under the guidance of our expert instructor Shuva, you’ll learn how to safely and effectively use the steel mace, transforming it from a fitness tool into a partner in your movement practice.

Why should you join this series?

  • Enhanced Stability: The steel mace helps you focus on balance and control, crucial elements in yoga.
  • Strength Building: Incorporating this prop adds a new dimension to your poses, helping you build strength in a gentle yet effective way.
  • Supportive Community: You’ll be surrounded by fellow beginners, all learning and growing together in a positive environment.
  • Loving Your Movement: Most importantly, you’ll discover a new way to enjoy your movement time, making each session something to look forward to.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience yoga in a whole new light. The series begins September 18, and spots are already filling up fast! Reserve your place today and take the first step towards a stronger, more stable you.

What should you expect in Strength and Stability Yoga at Rivercity Pilates?:

  • Each week, we’ll focus on integrating strength-building exercises with yoga poses that promote flexibility, balance, and stability. The steel mace will be used as a tool to enhance your strength training while maintaining the mindfulness and flow of yoga.
  • Each session will have a specific focus, targeting different muscle groups and stability challenges. You’ll learn how to engage your core, improve your posture, and develop functional strength that translates into everyday activities.
  • Receive guidance from our experienced yoga instructor, who will guide you through each class, ensuring proper technique and alignment while encouraging you to explore your limits. Modifications will be provided.
  • Results: By the end of this series, you can expect to feel stronger, more stable, and more confident in your body. You’ll also gain valuable tools to incorporate into your personal practice, enhancing both your yoga and strength training routines.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today! Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve stability, or simply try something new, this series is perfect for you. Let’s embark on this empowering journey together!


Sign up by requesting an appointment in Mindbody or simply email us and we can register you!

Exercise tips for those people “feeling sluggish and out of shape”

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  • Are you wanting to add more exercise time into your life, but feeling nervous because you feel like your aging body is out of shape?
  • Are you one of those people that doesn’t really love to exercise but knows you need to do something?

I have some exciting news for you… you are not alone and so many people who feel just like you have figured out some foolproof ways to add more exercise into their life…helping them feel better and stay healthy!  

 
Two Exercise Tips if you’re feeling sluggish and out of shape! 
  1. Don’t try to do it by yourself. You are probably not one of those people that naturally and easily can add a movement routine into your life on a regular basis on your own—your brain is wired differently and that’s OK!You might need an accountability partner to help you create a habit in your life. If you have a friend or spouse who is willing to be this person in your life this can be a great way for you both to create accountability for each other. This can also be a little tricky because if the other person decides not to workout one day…it becomes very easy for you to do the same.
  2. Another great option is to schedule workout classes or private sessions with a fitness professional. By pre-scheduling your workout sessions you are creating accountability and as long as you do the work to show up you know that you’ll get a workout in once you get there.BONUS:  if you are scheduling with a trained professional you will have their expertise to navigate what and how you should be moving, ensuring that your exercise time is safe and effective.
    • Side note: Yes this definitely costs more than just doing it yourself and often makes people feel guilty. Try thinking of it like you think of your health insurance premiums. Do you get mad at yourself for having to pay for health insurance?  Absolutely not….it is a given that health insurance (whether we use it or not) is a necessity.Start thinking of your movement time as a necessity because it is absolutely important in maintaining your physical and mental health in your life!!   Know that you are in the majority of people who need an accountability partner to help maintain your health, just like we need skilled nurses and doctors to help us with our health and paying for that service is part of your health care plan.

      Of course if you absolutely cannot afford it (the pandemic has been hard on all of us!)  than make it a priority to find an accountability partner who will move with you and keeps you consistent with your movement time!   Make sure to make your movement time a priority by scheduling it on your calendar each day! 


  3. Find something you enjoy. I know what you are thinking, we just established that you are not an “exercise person” and you don’t enjoy exercise, how in the world can you find something you enjoy?Try to find something that you don’t hate? For example if you’ve never enjoyed running because it doesn’t feel good in your body, your knees hurt and you don’t like how your body feels while you are running…it seems like it would be silly to try to establish a running practice in your life. Walking or maybe biking on a recumbent bike might be more likable for you or maybe even some sort of dance inspired class.

    Many people who don’t love to exercise find that dancing to their favorite songs is so much fun they actually forget they are exercising! When it comes to building strength and flexibility, many people find that practices like Pilates and Yoga are much more enjoyable to them than just lifting weights at the gym. As a bonus these mind body practices also have a focus on combining breath and movement in a way that decreases stress and anxiety.


If you are ready to go from “sluggish and out of shape” to “moving more in your life”  I challenge you to do these three things in your life today!

  1. Find yourself an accountability partner (This can be a friend, family member or a fitness professional.  Often the simple act of scheduling training sessions or classes and putting them on your calendar helps you keep moving consistently.    
  2. Find some exercise you don’t hate and commit to adding more movement time into your life on a regular basis.
  3. Make sure you tell your accountability partner (whether this is a friend or a fitness professional) your goals so that they can help you stay consistent!

Want to learn more about how Rivercity Pilates can help you create a consistent movement practice in your life?

Schedule a complimentary session today and we’ll help you create a plan for success that you enjoy and we’ll help keep you consistently keep working toward your goals along the way!

Find your inner strength & vitality!

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Are you looking for a movement class that’s fun, challenging, and makes you feel rejuvenated?

Ready to try something new and exciting?

Join us for our weekly steel mace yoga class. It’s a supportive, judgment-free zone where we’re all discovering our strength and vitality. Your body (and mind) will thank you!

Yoga instructor Shuva Rahim has started introducing clients to the world of steel mace yoga in her Yoga For Every Body small group session (5:30 p.m. Wednesdays).

Why should you give steel mace yoga a try?

Here are three compelling reasons:

  1. Boost Your Functional Strength
    The steel mace adds gentle resistance to traditional yoga poses, helping you build strength in a way that translates directly to everyday activities. Whether it’s lifting groceries, playing with grandkids, or tending to your garden, you’ll notice the difference in your capability and confidence.
  2. Enhance Your Balance and Flexibility
    As we get older, maintaining balance and flexibility becomes crucial. Steel mace yoga challenges your stability in new ways, improving your overall balance and keeping you nimble. You’ll be amazed at how this practice can help you move more freely and gracefully.
  3. Sharpen Your Mind-Body Connection
    The unique movements of steel mace yoga require focus and coordination, providing a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the connection between your mind and body. This mindful practice can help reduce stress, improve mood, and keep your brain sharp.
testimonial from a student of Shuva's Steel Mace Yoga class at Rivercity Pilates.

Don’t let the idea of using a “mace” intimidate you – you’ll get an orientation on how to handle this tool and can always opt to start with a light rod (1 pound) as we focus on proper form. The maces we use are 5 to 7 pounds.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly you adapt and grow stronger.  

Yoga For Every Body small group meets 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Rivercity Pilates. For the you can purchase any small group Yoga package for 30% off using the code steelmace!  

This is a short video demonstrating Yoga with the steel mace.