Meet the Team

Our team is the heart of everything we do. Get to know the experts who are here to guide your journey to beauty, relaxation, and balance—with personalized care, professional expertise, and a passion for helping you feel your absolute best.

Welcoming

Creating a serene and inviting welcome

Attentive Care

Delivering personalized care with mindful attention to every detail

Expert Guidance

Sharing expert guidance for an elevated, indulgent experience

Meet our Founder

A woman with curly hair practicing yoga outdoors on a wooden dock by the water, performing a side angle stretch.

Mariesa Barbara

Heart-Centered | Connected | Empowering

Mariesa Barbara is the Founder of Island Movement—a vision shaped by her passion for meaningful movement, her devotion to healing, and her belief that St. Croix deserves a sanctuary where people can come home to themselves.

What began as a small private practice for pelvic floor and pre/postnatal care has grown into a multi-level wellness center where yoga, breath, strength, community, and holistic care live under one roof. Mariesa blends her background as a Physical Therapist with her passion for ancient practices, creating a space where science and soul meet.

Driven by the mission to make wellness accessible, empowering, and deeply human, she designed Island Movement as more than a studio—it is a community, a safe haven, and a catalyst for personal growth. Her hope is that everyone who steps through the doors feels supported, inspired, and connected to their own inner strength.✨

YOGA

  • A woman with blonde hair smiles at the camera, resting her chin on her hand. She wears a white shirt, jewelry, and a watch, with a cheerful expression.

    Lisa Watson

    INSTRUCTOR

    Creative | Grounded | Versatile

  • Young woman with curly hair smiling, wearing a brown strapless top and a necklace, in a room with a monitor and speaker in the background.

    Jade Bryan

    INSTRUCTOR

    Energizing | Mindful | Inspiring

  • portrait of a smiling young woman with dark hair, wearing a white tank top, standing against a light-colored background.

    Jada Williams

    INSTRUCTOR

    Bubbly | Peaceful | Vibrant

  • A woman with long brown hair smiling at the camera, sitting near a window with white curtains, wearing a dark sleeveless top.

    Stacey Stone

    INSTRUCTOR

    Grounded | Balanced | Energized

  • Man with dark hair and beard performing a yoga pose with arms outstretched in front of a plain wall.

    Tyler Bush

    INSTRUCTOR

  • A smiling woman with gray hair, wearing a patterned blue and white off-the-shoulder top, standing on the beach at sunset with her hands together in a prayer pose.

    Kris Massicot

    INSTRUCTOR

  • A woman with light brown hair styled in a messy bun, wearing a white sleeveless top and large hoop earrings, standing outdoors in front of green and white hydrangea flowers.

    Kimie Mittman

    INSTRUCTOR

  • A woman with brown hair tied in a ponytail, smiling, wearing earrings and a blue sleeveless top, standing indoors with a plain background.

    Jamie Donnelly

    INSTRUCTOR

    Adventurous | Creative | Curious

  • A young woman smiling outdoors with a blurred green background, wearing a black top, hoop earrings, and a necklace.

    Maura O’Connor

    INSTRUCTOR

    Intentional | Compassionate | Inclusive

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with short hair wearing a black top and a necklace.

    Kenya Nelson

    INSTRUCTOR

  • A woman wearing sunglasses and a light blue jacket smiling while taking a selfie with a gray dog wearing a blue life jacket. They are on a boat with a red sail in the background and blue sky.

    Katie Gavlick

    INSTRUCTOR

    Intentional | Growing | Sagittarius

  • Woman with tattoos on her arm holding a heart-shaped object above her head at the beach

    Kristin Dare

    INSTRUCTOR

  • A woman with dark hair tied in a bun, wearing a light pink top and hoop earrings, smiling indoors near a window with curtains.

    Mariaelena Mendoza

    INSTRUCTOR

    Empathetic | Open-Minded | Charismatic

  • Portrait of a young woman with light skin, blue eyes, and brown hair tied up, smiling at the camera, wearing a white shirt.

    Max Smith

    INSTRUCTOR

    Dynamic | Embodied | Heart-Led

  • Maranda Wood

    INSTRUCTOR

PILATES

  • Woman wearing a black headwrap and red glasses, smiling indoors with a white door in the background.

    Chipo Afamefuna

    MAT/REFORMER PILATES

    Energetic | Inspiring | Passionate

  • A woman with long, wavy hair smiling in front of a mirror in a bright room.

    Yulia Ivanovo

    REFORMER PILATES

    Harmonious | Supportive | Inspiring

  • A woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing hoop earrings and a light pink top, smiling in front of a light-colored wall.

    Mariaelena Mendoza

    MAT PILATES

    Compassionate | Open-Minded | Charismatic

  • A smiling woman with curly black hair wearing a brown strapless top and a necklace, standing indoors.

    Jade Bryan

    MAT/REFORMER PILATES

    Motivating | Balanced | Encouraging

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling, resting her chin on her hand, wearing a white shirt, jewelry, and a watch.

    Lisa Watson

    MAT/REFORMER PILATES

    Balanced | Fluid | Insightful

FITNESS

  • Smiling young woman with curly hair wearing a strapless brown top and a necklace, standing indoors.

    Jade Bryan

    TRAINER | GROUP FITNESS

    Energetic | Passionate | Supportive

  • Smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a dark tank top, sitting near a window with natural light.

    Stacey Stone

    TRAINER | GROUP FITNESS

    Grounded | Balanced | Energized

  • A woman with dreadlocks smiling indoors, wearing a sleeveless top and necklace.

    Samantha Smith

    GROUP FITNESS

    Energetic | Empowering | Driven

  • Close-up of a woman with curly hair smiling near water, wearing an off-the-shoulder striped top.

    Marla Cowles

    GROUP FITNESS

    Supportive | Precise | Mindful

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling in a well-lit room with white walls and a window.

    Jamie Lammering

    TRAINER | GROUP FITNESS

    Passionate | Adventurous | Empowered

WELLNESS SPA

  • A young woman with long, curly dark hair and hoop earrings, wearing blue medical scrubs, standing in a clinical setting with a nurse's lamp and medical supplies in the background.

    Waleshka Velasquez

    ESTHETICIAN

    Attentive | Gentle | Vibrant

  • A young woman with long, wavy dark hair and light makeup sitting in a car, wearing a green top and a gold necklace.

    Salma Idheileh

    ESTHETICIAN

    Trustworthy | Dedicated | Welcoming

  • A woman taking a selfie in front of a backdrop of lush green and variegated foliage. She has long brown hair, wears a white top, and has large earrings and a necklace with a dark pendant.

    Kate Mulligan

    MASSAGE THERAPIST | ENERGY HEALER

    Present | Joyful | Grateful

  • A smiling woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black top, sitting outdoors in front of a brick wall and plant, with a bright and cheerful expression.

    Leah Bartlett

    MASSAGE THERAPIST

    Nurturing | Relaxing | Inviting

  • Catherine Blakley

    MYSTICAL HEALER

    Love | Light | Spirit

  • Portrait of a woman with a warm smile, wearing a blue top and layered turquoise jewelry, standing in a room with yellow walls and framed artwork.

    Namonyah Soipan

    ACUPUNTURIST

    Holistic | Healing | Grounded

RECEPTION LOUNGE

  • A woman with curly hair, wearing a colorful swimsuit, taking a selfie on a boat with turquoise water and a clear sky in the background.

    Naurani Persaud

    WELLNESS COORDINATOR

    Calm | Optimistic | Open-Minded

  • Sekhmet

    WELLNESS COORDINATOR

  • Ebony

    WELLNESS COORDINATOR