Umurerwa’s path to Zoe Wellness Studio began when she found herself at a crossroads in life. Living in Nigeria, she was battling a deep sense of loss and disconnection. “I was going through a serious depression. I felt lost. I didn’t know what I was doing with my life,” she recalls. Gym sessions felt overwhelming, and yoga didn’t resonate with her. After exhausting other avenues, a chance encounter at a sip-and-paint event would change everything. When a stranger introduced her to Pilates, Celine was intrigued. She attended a class, and the experience proved to be transformative. “For a whole hour, I didn’t think of myself. I was just trying to breathe and move my body. And from there, I knew this was something I could do.”
Pilates became more than just physical exercise for Umurerwa; it was a mental anchor. The focus on controlled movements, deep breathing, and posture restoration helped her rebuild not only her body but also her mind. Determined to share this healing practice, Celine returned to Rwanda with a clear vision: to offer women a safe space where they could connect with their bodies and find mental clarity, free from the intimidation often felt in traditional gyms. This led to the opening of Zoe Wellness Studio in Kigali.
“When I started Zoe Wellness Studio, I wanted to create a safe space for women who want to move their bodies but don’t always feel comfortable in a gym setting,” Umurerwa shares. “Pilates isn’t just a movement; it helps with core strength and mental health. We do a lot of breathing in Pilates, which is essential for mental well-being.” Inside the studio, clients are greeted by a calming, light-filled space where they can slip off their shoes, leave their bags behind, and step onto the reformer beds. The sessions are gentle yet powerful, emphasizing slow, intentional movements that strengthen the body and quiet the mind.
Umurerwa personally guides beginners with patience and encouragement, emphasizing that “everything here is going to be a slow movement.”
Umurerwa is quick to dispel the misconception that Pilates is only for women, stating, “Pilates is for everyone, men, women, the elderly, and young people. If you want to move your body, it doesn’t matter who you are.”
Since its inception, Zoe Wellness Studio has grown exponentially, drawing full classes every day. The community that has developed around the studio is one of warmth and support. “We want to create a space where women can come in and feel safe to talk about what they’re going through. A lot of women don’t open up about their struggles, but in this space, they can,” says Umurerwa. In addition to reformer Pilates, the studio also offers aerial yoga, where clients can stretch and relax in hammocks, further promoting deep relaxation and well-being.
Umurerwa’s commitment to cleanliness and safety is reflected in the studio’s meticulous care after each session, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for every client. “It really, really changed my life in so many ways,” Celine shares, speaking about the impact Pilates had on her. “I knew that if it helped me, it could help other women who are going through the same things I went through.”
As Zoe Wellness Studio celebrates its first anniversary, Celine’s vision continues to expand. Plans for online classes will allow women, whether at home or on lunch breaks at work, to access the transformative benefits of mindful movement. From a woman who once felt lost to the founder of a growing community of strength and sisterhood, Celine Umurerwa’s story is a powerful reminder: sometimes, the gentlest movements, a deep breath, a slow stretch, a reformer glide can guide us back to ourselves.
For those in Kigali ready to reconnect with their body and mind, Zoe Wellness Studio is waiting.
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