HEALTH and FITNESS

In celebration of the new year and new beginnings, Dripping Springs Century News will be featuring a variety of health and fitness oriented articles for the month of January. If you would like to nominate a business or individual for a spotlight, email us at [email protected].

This week’s spotlight is on Mary Long, Owner & Lead Instructor, SOMA LUX Pilates, Wellness & Travel.

Why did you choose to open a Pilates studio in this town?

MARY: Looking back, opening Soma Lux was a mix of luck and opportunity. In 2020, a colleague invited me to open a studio within his chiropractic practice in southwest Austin. When the pandemic hit and plans shifted, the business gradually moved further west and began serving more Dripping Springs neighbors. I’m excited to be located in such a tight-knit community; Dripping Springs offers a rare mix of connection, growth, and opportunity, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to grow alongside it.

When did Pilates become a passion for you?

MARY: I was introduced to Pilates in 2008 and was immediately struck by how much it transformed my body awareness, posture, and confidence. Over time, what started as a personal practice became a calling. I began teaching mat Pilates in 2011 and completed my comprehensive 520-hour certification through Balanced Body. Over time, teaching Pilates became more about helping people move through life with strength and ease.

How would you describe your studio community?

MARY: Our community is thoughtful, supportive, and genuinely kind. We work with people in many different seasons of life, but they share a desire to move intentionally and take care of themselves in a sustainable way. Soma Lux is a place where people feel safe learning, asking questions, and reconnecting with their bodies, and where genuine connections often form through shared movement, conversation, and time together. Our clients are naturally curious and love to learn, so in addition to Pilates sessions, we also offer workshops and retreats.

What’s most rewarding about running this business here?

MARY: The most rewarding part is witnessing not just physical change, but the mental and emotional transformation that happens as people gain confidence and trust their bodies again, especially after injury or major life changes. Seeing clients carry what they learn in the studio into everyday life is deeply meaningful. It’s powerful to be part of a community that views movement as a lifelong practice with long-term rewards, not a quick fix.

What’s been the biggest challenge so far?

MARY: Opening a business in early 2020 came with a lot of uncertainty. There were moments when it felt like everything was on pause. At the same time, those challenges clarified how essential movement and wellness really are. That period taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying connected to purpose… even when plans change.

How do you make Pilates approachable for beginners?

MARY: We focus on education, personalization, and meeting people exactly where they are, including the season of life they’re in. Many beginners worry they need to be strong, flexible, or experienced before starting, but that’s never the case. Our instructors guide clients step by step and create an environment where learning feels empowering rather than intimidating. Our instructors’ advanced training and real-world experience allow us to teach with both precision and empathy.

What kind of changes do you love seeing in your clients?

MARY: I love seeing clients move with more ease and confidence, whether that shows up as improved balance, less pain, or simply feeling more at home in their bodies. Often the biggest shifts are subtle but deeply meaningful. For example, we have a client in her early 60s who originally came in to “get stronger.” Not only has she done that, but she’s also more confident in her movement, experiencing less pain, and doing active things she didn’t think she’d return to.

What sets your studio apart from others?

MARY: What truly sets Soma Lux apart is the quality of our teaching, the quality of our care, and the quality of our community.

Our instructors bring advanced training alongside lived experience, which allows us to work with real bodies and real needs. We understand what it feels like to move after injury, through life transitions, and as the body changes over time. We approach movement with deep respect for the body, listening to what it’s communicating and using that mind-body connection as a guide for intelligent, supportive movement.

Our team is thoughtful, curious, and deeply invested in helping people move well for the long term. By keeping classes small and instruction personal, we create a space where people feel seen, respected, and genuinely supported—both in their movement and in their experience of being here.