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Finding Balance Through Movement: My Journey as an Artist, Pilates Instructor, and Women's Wellness Fanatic →

May 28, 2025 by Cara Lockwood in wellness, creativity

Let me start by saying: menopause is not for the faint of heart. Whoever coined the term “the change” clearly didn’t want to alarm us. “The emotional and physical rollercoaster with no seatbelt” would’ve been more accurate.

Hi, I’m an artist and Pilates instructor with a deep passion for women’s wellness—and a deeper appreciation for wine and cooling fans, thanks to the midlife adventure that is menopause. When it hit, it hit hard. One day I was teaching classes and painting with ease, and the next I was crying at commercials and seriously questioning whether I needed a divorce or just a snack.

My body was changing faster than my moods (and that’s saying something). I was exhausted, cranky, and felt like an alien had taken over my once-familiar self. Everything was off: my sleep, my hormones, my joints—and don’t even get me started on my weight!. My hips were filing complaints I don’t remember authorizing.

And then—enter, stage left—Pilates.

Now, I’d been athletic all my life, but I had found my self feeling stiff, unstable, sore and just OLD. Pilates didn’t alone fix all that - there’s much more to the story, but it became the thing that kept me from falling apart (sometimes literally). Through those slow, intentional movements and deep breaths, I began to feel like myself again—and I began to vision myself in a state of wellness, albeit wellness looks a lot different at 58 than it does at 35.

Pilates helped me stretch out the frustration, strengthen where I had lost strength, and reconnect with my body in a kinder, gentler way. I started showing up to the mat not just as participant, but as an artist wanting more, a woman in the thick of it, finding humor and healing in every roll-up and wobble.

And as I came out the other side with a little more grace and a lot more wisdom, I realized: this is what I want for other women too. I wanted a place to move, laugh, breathe, and remember that we’re still us—even if this new, wiser version of us, looks and feels different.

It wasn’t all Pilates, but the start of Pilates gave me the courage and motivation to start making big changes, move my body and change my outlook on life!

So now, through my work—whether it’s leading Pilates, guiding retreats, or splashing a bit of paint around—I create spaces for women to reconnect, release, and laugh their way through the wild ride of life. Because wellness isn’t just about fitness or food… it’s not what you look like or what color your hair has become, —it’s about finding what makes you feel alive, even when your body is throwing curveballs.

Celebrating life’s wins with my Pilates Girls!

If you’re out there wondering what happened to your energy, your waistline, or your patience… you’re not alone. Come move with me. Let’s roll, stretch, create, and giggle our way back to ourselves

If you’re craving more than just another workout or wellness trend—if you want real connection, real movement, and maybe a little wine and watercolor along the way—come join my creative community of women who are embracing it all: the chaos, the beauty, the hot flashes, and the breakthroughs.

Join my Creative Wellness Group for ongoing inspiration, movement classes, and creative prompts (plus the occasional hilarious overshare). We meet weekly on Facebook and Patreon - Sign up for the group on Patreon Check Out Patreon

Or better yet, escape with me on a retreat—where Pilates meets paintbrush, and self-care comes with a view (and probably a really good brunch). Learn More

25 Women, creating, moving, laughing and growing together! Create and Escape Retreat, Mckinney, Texas


Whether you’re navigating post menopausal living, midlife, or just Monday, you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s move, create, and evolve together—with humor, heart, and really strong glutes. Follow Me on Instagram! Insta

May 28, 2025 /Cara Lockwood
women's retreat, women's health, menopause, creative retreat, wellness retreat, pilates retreat, women gathering
wellness, creativity
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