Start the New Year Strong: Wellness at Stanley Marketplace
The new year brings countless messages about transformation, self-improvement, and radical change. But what if meaningful wellness didn't require reinventing yourself overnight? At Stanley Marketplace, a different approach to health and fitness is taking root, one that emphasizes sustainable progress, mind-body connection, and finding what truly works for you.
RETHINKING NEW YEAR WELLNESS
According to Nicole Hepler, owner and licensed professional counselor at Awakening Serenity Counseling in Stanley Marketplace, lasting change doesn't come from demanding perfection or pushing harder. "Rather than asking, 'What do I need to fix about myself?' consider a different question: 'What do I want to support within myself this year?'" she suggests.
This shift in perspective matters. When wellness goals are rooted in self-criticism, they often lead to burnout. When they're rooted in self-awareness and care, they become sustainable and effective.
Why Traditional Resolutions Fall Short
Many New Year's resolutions fail not because of lack of discipline, but because they:
Ignore emotional and nervous system needs
Focus on outcomes rather than processes
Set unrealistic expectations during stressful times
Lack flexibility for real-life challenges
Hepler recommends setting intentions that reflect how you want to feel and function—like creating space for rest, learning to respond rather than react in stressful moments, or building consistency with self-care. Read her full guide to gentle, grounded change.
FITNESS THAT FITS YOUR LIFE
Stanley Marketplace is home to fitness studios that embody this compassionate approach to wellness, offering high-energy workouts and mindful movement practices that meet you where you are.
FLY KICKBOX: Smart Technology, Powerful Results
Looking for stress relief with measurable results? FLY Kickbox brings technology and community together in every 45-minute session. Smart sensor technology built into every heavy bag tracks your punches and kicks in real time, monitoring power, speed, and calories burned as you go.
"It's not just a workout, it's a data-driven way to push harder, measure progress, and stay motivated every round," explains owner Jamaica Cooke.
Who should try it? Anyone ready to have fun, work hard, and try something new, no experience required. Your first class includes a welcoming community, a quick intro to basic techniques, and then you're wrapping up, throwing on gloves, and watching your name climb the leaderboard.
The benefits: The full-body workout at FLY Kickbox combines strength and cardio while improving coordination, balance, and confidence, all while learning real self-defense skills. It's one of the best workouts for stress relief, making it an ideal complement to mental wellness practices.
KINESIS PILATES: Precision and Connection
If your intention for the year is moving with more awareness and building lasting strength, Kinesis Pilates offers true Classical Pilates rooted in Joseph Pilates' original method. Taught on authentic apparatus with a deep focus on precision, flow, and whole-body connection, classes are kept small and personalized to ensure each client gets hands-on guidance and a workout tailored to their body.
"This isn't about 'burning out' or chasing trends, it's about building strength, mobility, and control you'll carry into every part of your life," shares Kelly Tacon, teacher at Kinesis Pilates.
Perfect for: Anyone curious about moving better—whether you're a lifelong athlete, recovering from injury, or brand new to exercise. Expect a warm welcome, equipment tour, and a session focused on understanding your body's needs. You'll leave feeling stronger, more connected, and maybe even a little taller.
Real impact: One client who came in with chronic back pain was eventually able to lift her grandchild for the first time in years. "Seeing her joy and confidence return reminded me that Pilates isn't just exercise, it's life-changing movement," Tacon reflects.
Myth busted: "Pilates is just stretching." In reality, Pilates is strength training with a focus on control, alignment, and the deep muscles that support your spine and posture. You'll build lasting strength without grinding down your joints.
THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION
What ties these wellness offerings together is their recognition that lasting change is both mental and physical. As Hepler notes, "Lasting change isn't just cognitive, it's physiological. When your nervous system is chronically stressed or overwhelmed, even well-intentioned goals can feel impossible."
Counseling with an experienced therapist can help you understand stress responses, develop tools to regulate emotions and anxiety, and build resilience during periods of transition. When your nervous system feels supported, growth—whether in therapy or in the gym—becomes more accessible.
WELLNESS AT YOUR OWN PACE
Being part of the Stanley Marketplace community creates a unique wellness ecosystem, a neighborhood where wellness, creativity, and connection come together.
Whether you're looking to punch away stress, build mindful strength, or process what's weighing on you, wellness at Stanley Marketplace meets you where you are. You don't need a dramatic resolution to begin. Sometimes the most powerful intention is simply: "I'm willing to show up for myself differently this year."
Ready to explore? Both FLY Kickbox and Kinesis Pilates are welcoming new members, and Awakening Serenity Counseling is accepting new clients.
Looking for more ways to prioritize wellness this year? Join us for the 2026 "New Year – New You" Health & Wellness Fair at Stanley Marketplace, featuring free health screenings, fitness activities, and local wellness resources. Free admission, all ages welcome.