Today we’d like to introduce you to Saralee Morales.
Hi Saralee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was inspired to open Mat & Maternity when I became a mother. Four years ago, during my pregnancy with my son, I practiced prenatal yoga in the very space where the studio now exists. At the time, it was led by Debra Geymayr, a well-known doula and instructor who had created one of the only prenatal-focused spaces in our community. I felt so fortunate to have it nearby to continue my practice during pregnancy. Unfortunately, she passed away a few years later, so the studio closed and the space sat vacant, but it stayed on my mind.
As I stepped into motherhood myself, I felt a growing pull to create something similar. A space where women could feel supported, connected, and guided through pregnancy and postpartum. At the time, I was working as a pediatric nurse practitioner, but I made the decision to pause my clinical career and fully pursue this vision. I spent the next year completing my yoga and Pilates training, specializing in prenatal and postpartum care.
During that time, I revisited the original studio space out of curiosity and learned it was available to lease. It felt like a full-circle moment. We began building Mat & Maternity in late 2025 and officially opened our doors in February 2026.
My background as a neonatal ICU nurse and pediatric nurse practitioner shaped everything I’ve built. Over 13 years working with infants and families, I saw firsthand how much support mothers need beyond the hospital setting. Not just medically, but physically, emotionally, and in community.
Today, Mat & Maternity is more than a fitness studio. It’s a space for safe, expert-led movement, education, and connection, from prenatal yoga and postpartum Pilates to infant care workshops and support circles. My goal has always been to create the kind of space I once needed myself, and to continue building a community where no mother feels like she has to navigate this season alone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No road worth traversing is ever smooth. Not to sound too cliche, but starting a small business is never easy. There is quite a learning curve that comes with it. Also, being the first in my family to attempt this was just as scary as it was exciting. Luckily, I have never been one to shy away from a challenge. I was also the first in my family to complete a 4-year university program along with completing her master’s degree. That being said, opening and operating a fitness studio has possibly been my biggest challenge so far, however, absolutely the most rewarding. Guiding new and expectant mothers through a class, during a time where so much change is occurring to them, is a true privilege. I am continually inspired by their strength and commitment to their practice. And I find joy in providing them a safe refuge for their evolving minds and bodies, apart from the current wave of contemporary studios that might not provide the same level of tailored prenatal movement.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mat & Maternity, Prenatal Pilates & Yoga Studio?
Mat & Maternity is a prenatal and postpartum wellness studio rooted in community, accessibility, and real-life motherhood. We offer thoughtfully designed yoga and Pilates classes, along with educational programming that supports women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition into motherhood. What sets us apart is our focus beyond just movement. We create spaces where mothers feel seen and supported.
We’re known for blending safe, intentional exercise with honest conversations around motherhood, infant care, and mental well-being. Through partnerships with local organizations and community-based programming, we aim to make high-quality support more accessible to all mothers, not just a select few.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how Mat & Maternity has become more than a studio, it’s a growing community. Our offerings are designed to meet women where they are, whether that’s their first prenatal class or navigating the fourth trimester. At the core, everything we do is about helping mothers feel stronger, more confident, and less alone in their journey.
What makes you happy?
People gathering for a common purpose or cause makes me very happy. In a nutshell, the community formed through mutual efforts and interests is what continually inspires me. Whether its a new face at the studio, or meeting an expecting mother at a local event, seeing women gather to seek community in motherhood has been a validating process that we need each other. Community is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.matandmaternity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matandmaternity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matandmaternity
Image Credits
Jane LaCroix
