our mission

Bringing community together through fitness, wellness, and happiness! A boutique style yoga studio and women’s wellness center.

meet our team

Mariesa Barbara

I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a yoga teacher, and I specialize in pelvic floor rehabilitation. After my first few years as a women's health physical therapist, I realized something was missing…✨ The mind-body connection and our innate body wisdom to self heal.✨
Yoga was the first exercise based class where I felt a full body experience- meaning the mind, body, and heart. I am passionate about providing women with a holistic way to heal. To blend together these seemingly mystical practices with my scientific background. Yoga not only provides for a complete physical practice: strengthening, stretching, mobility, joint health, core work; but also provides for meditative and mindful based movements in order to calm the mind and the nervous system. There’s nothing like it!
In my classes, we will focus on the breath. It is the most profound tool that we all possess to bring us back to the present moment and calm the mind. I also love alignment and creative sequencing. I am so excited to have the opportunity to share yoga with so many people on St. Croix & beyond!
I love St. Croix, and I feel so blessed to have lived here on this abundant island for the last 4 years. You can find me hiking with my dogs, scuba diving, free diving, or exploring other islands with my boyfriend.
Click here to see more information on ‘My Pelvic Healing’ by Mariesa Barbara PT, DPT.

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max smith

Max Smith is a yoga teacher whose practice began in Des Moines, IA after a fitness injury. Through yoga Max discovered the important balance between strength and flexibility through a proper mobility and stability practice. Like many yoga students, Max's interest in yoga started through her love of the physical practice but quickly blossomed into something greater after having experienced the mental and emotional benefits yoga has to offer. After years of practicing yoga, relearning how to move & listen to her body's needs, she decided to take a yoga training course. Yoga teacher training helped her to better understand the history of yoga and its many benefits that continue to arise throughout her practice on and off the mat to this day. Yoga provides many tools to each practitioner; physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.
As a teacher, Max's goal is to provide space and opportunity for her students to seek and receive these benefits within their own yoga practice and to take them off the mat as well. Max looks forward to seeing you at Island Movement! Join her, Wednesday's at 6am for an energizing Sunrise Power Flow.

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What People Are Saying

“I’ve taken classes from all of the teachers at Island Movement. Whether it was here or elsewhere, they have all been amazing! Some of the best classes I’ve ever taken. The studio is perfect. It’s intimate yet welcoming and has a wonderful view. I love the energy, and if I was staying on island I would be an unlimited member in a heartbeat!”

— Chelsea S

“I have spent 4 years looking for a yoga space and an energy like that of Island Movement here on St. Croix. The support and positivity you feel and receive in these classes is unparalleled to any other yoga and wellness studio I've ever been to. Not only is it a space to reconnect but its also a space for personal growth and development. Mariesa and Erin and Kelly have a gift for teaching, empowering, and creating a sense of true community. Whether you are looking to improve your yoga skills and push yourself to new levels, reset, or learn about your body’s anatomy and physiology, I promise you will leave that studio feeling revived and empowered. Lets not forget to mention that View!!!”

— Michelle M

“Great classes with knowledgeable instructors. Studio is clean, calming and inviting. Parking is very easy. Scheduling and payment app is easy to use and convenient. I’d highly recommend and can’t wait to go back!”