Q+A: Tess Ajax, Intuitive Training

The Tucson J is always seeking new wellness opportunities to bring to our community. That’s why we are teaming up with Tess Ajax, founder of Intuitive Training, to bring her pregnancy and postpartum fitness classes to the J! 

 

Keep reading to learn more about Tess, her fitness classes, and wellness philosophy. 

ABOUT TESS 

 

Tess Ajax is the founder of Intuitive Training, a movement collective and community for mothers in Tucson, Arizona. She is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a multi-certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES & Pronatal Fitness), and Functional Movement Systems L1 coach with six years experience coaching pregnant and postpartum people. 

  

Known for her inclusive and accessible “all movement counts” philosophy, Tess’s approach to fitness focuses on meeting people exactly where they are and reestablishing trust and confidence in their body. By blending functional movements, strength training, pelvic floor & core exercises, and evidenced-based programming, she helps people recover from the effects of pregnancy and birth and reach their performance goals in a sustainable way. 

  

With firsthand experience with cesarean and vaginal births, diastasis recti, and pelvic floor dysfunction, Tess is keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities for growth associated with rebuilding and returning to fitness after giving birth. She finds immense joy in helping moms move forward (instead of “bouncing back”), build athletic maturity, and embrace how movement can evolve with us and serve us through every season of life. 

  

When she’s not coaching, you can find Tess hiking in Sabino Canyon, enjoying an iced coffee with a friend, fitting in a workout, cooking for a meal train, or spending time with her favorite people: her husband and two children. 

What inspired you to start Intuitive Training? 

Intuitive Training started pretty unexpectedly. I was a personal trainer before becoming a mom, and while I was pregnant, I became a certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist because I wanted to better understand how to support women through this season. 

 

But even with all of my knowledge, experience, and love of movement, it was incredibly difficult for me to muster the motivation or energy to workout regularly after having my baby. My body felt unfamiliar, tired, weak, and depleted, and something that had always brought me so much joy felt not only daunting, it felt impossible. 

 

So I changed my approach – I figured that if I was struggling to find my way back to movement, maybe other moms were too. 

 

At nine months postpartum, I offered a small postpartum-focused exercise class where babies were welcome. We did exercises together, but we also openly discussed the complexity of motherhood, the changes our bodies & pelvic floors went through during pregnancy & birth, and what we could do to support our healing. It was really beautiful, and it really showed me that returning to exercise postpartum is about a whole lot more than just exercise – being in community with other moms allowed us to heal together, on a multitude of levels. 

 

Five moms showed up to that first class, and something really special sparked. What started as a small gathering has grown into a rich community. 

 


Why is it important for moms to have a dedicated fitness space?
 

This is such an important question, and there are so many layers to unpack here. 

  

First, we all know that the changes we go through when we become mothers are profound, and while our bodies are not fragile, there’s a better path forward than simply jumping back into what we were doing pre-motherhood and just hoping for the best. 

 

  

By tailoring classes specifically to moms, we can recover smarter by approaching workouts with awareness and knowledge of pelvic floor and core health, birth injuries, and the physical and physiological changes of pregnancy and postpartum at the forefront (not an afterthought!). 

 

Beyond perinatal-specific coaching, being in a fitness space specifically for moms means that you’re face-to-face with other women and birthing people, which is absolutely priceless in the age of social media. 

 

  

Being in-person together means that we get real insight into what postpartum recovery looks like, making us all feel a little more normal when we don’t “bounce back” the way it looks like someone online may have appeared to do. Instead, we can destigmatize pelvic floor symptoms, ask each other questions, share resources, and learn from each other. 

 

  

When you’re in an Intuitive Training class, no one bats an eye if your baby is fussy, if you need to nurse mid-workout, if your toddler spills their snack, or if your kids are having a tough time sharing. There are always enough toys to go around, and you’re literally always next to another mom who knows what the hard days are like and may even be able to lend a hand or a hug when you need it. 

  


What can attendees expect from your classes?
 

When someone comes to class, they’re invited to meet their body exactly where it is that day and to make the workout their own. We acknowledge that we all have different goals, injury histories, sleep(less) situations, and energy levels, which means you may be doing different exercises than the person next to you. And not only is that ok, it’s encouraged. 

 

  

Attendees can expect thoughtful coaching, with modifications and progressions offered for every exercise, babywearing-friendly movement options, and pelvic floor and core-focused coaching cues interwoven throughout the warmup and workout. 

  

 

While children and babies are not required to attend, many people bring their kiddos. This means that sometimes classes get noisy, and sometimes we have to shift plans mid-workout. We practice a lot of mental flexibility and creativity in our workouts, which makes us stronger and more resilient both in and out of class. 

 


If you could define your wellness philosophy in one phrase or quote, what would it be?
 

“All movement counts. All bodies are good bodies. Let movement evolve with your life.” 

  

Those three ideas really capture my philosophy. I want people to know that “fitness” isn’t all or nothing. It’s about showing up for yourself in ways that are sustainable, compassionate, and realistic for the chapter you’re in. And hopefully experiencing a little joy while doing it! 

   


Why did you decide to partner with the Tucson J?
 

The J has such a strong reputation in Tucson for welcoming everyone and being committed to supporting health throughout every stage of life, which feels completely in alignment with Intuitive Training. 

 

Early motherhood can be an incredibly vulnerable season. A lot of moms hesitate to even leave their homes because of anxieties surrounding their baby crying, a toddler meltdown, or feeling like they don’t belong. The J creates the opposite experience. It’s a place where families are already gathering and where people are accepted as they are. It’s exactly the type of environment I want our moms to walk into every week. 

  


The Tucson J is focused on building a community where everyone belongs. What does community mean to you?
 

At this point in my life, community means being together, face-to-face, with people walking a similar path or navigating similar chapters. I believe community is co-created, and every person who shows up contributes to the energy, intention, and direction of the group (consciously and unconsciously). And that’s what makes a community rich: connecting through our similarities and being strengthened by the things that make us different. 

 

Community has always been at the heart of what I do. It enriches our lives in such an essential way, and I couldn’t be more excited for Intuitive Training to join and contribute to the incredible multigenerational community the J has built. 

Thank you, Tess!  
 

Tess is offering a FREE pop-up class at the J on Sunday, September 20 from 8:45-9:45am along with a variety of class sessions throughout the fall. Enroll today! 

Q+A: Artist Tracy Ann Holmes

The Tucson J is thrilled to open our 2026-2027 Fine Art Gallery season with Meditation & Metaphor: Ceramic Sculpture & Watercolors by Tracy Ann Holmes.  

 

Running Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, September 27, the show demonstrates “a balance between control and serendipity that happens when water, pigment, and paper combine.” 

 

Keep reading to learn more about Tracy, the show, and what viewers can expect. 

ABOUT TRACY ANN HOLMES

Tracy Ann Holmes, grew up in Napa, California. She earned a BFA with an emphasis in Ceramics and an Art Ed Certificate from BYU. In school, Tracy discovered her two favorite media: ceramic and watercolor. Tracy taught art full-time for five years in Utah and North Carolina before moving to Arizona.  

Over the last 20+ years in Arizona, Tracy continues to teach select art classes while being a full-time studio artist. Her watercolor series, “Sonoran Desert Life”, contains over 100 images of the animals and plants of the Southwest. Tracy’s ceramic sculptures are metaphorical in nature and primarily centered around the female figure with themes of endurance, faith, and struggle. Her sculptures are one-of-a-kind, built by hand, using slab and coil building techniques. 

Can you share your creative process, both in the studio and in shaping the overall vision for the show?
Meditation is the act of being mindfully aware and reaching a calming state. That zen state of observation comes while I am painting watercolors. It is a balance between control and serendipity that happens when water, pigment, and paper combine. I take in my surroundings and share my love of color and the life of the Sonoran Desert. These observations lead to deeper questions and to my personal studies. I often find a quote or a tenet of faith and wonder, “how could I portray this concept visually?” A visual metaphor is created when an image or object represents a concept, emotion, or idea beyond its literal appearance. I make sketches, gather references, and then sculpt artwork in clay. My use of meditation and metaphors brings balance and understanding to my life, and I hope that my work helps others find the same. 

  

What themes are you exploring in this show, and why are they important to you?
The themes I am exploring in “Meditation & Metaphor” are the tenets I try to live by. First, as seen in my watercolors, we are surrounded by the beauty and tenacity of life in the Sonoran Desert, and that is to be celebrated. Secondly, my sculptural work examines the indomitable spirit of humankind through hardships. We are all a bit broken, vulnerable, and struggling through life–but with divine help, self-love/forgiveness we can still live beautiful lives. We can find peace in the storm. 

  

Is there a particular piece in the show that holds a meaningful story or memory for you?
The Japanese technique of kintsugi is a repair technique that uses lacquer and gold leaf to repair valued and treasured pottery. These repaired pieces are not considered less for being broken but even more beautiful with their golden fractures mended. My piece “And Yet She Persisted” is an homage to the technique and the message that we are often broken but can still be beautiful. She is still holding one of the pieces and is actively putting herself back together again. 

  

How do you hope viewers feel after experiencing the show?
Our culture often encourages us to say, “I’m fine” and hide our feelings. I hope viewers will connect with my work and see that it is ok to be “not fine” and give yourself the grace/time to grieve and heal. This life is hard and we can make it through with the support of God, good people, and finding love for self. I also hope they feel the joy and wonder in the beauty of the animals and flowers that surround us here in the Sonoran Desert. 

  

The Tucson J is all about collaboration and community. Are there any artists you draw inspiration from?
My favorite ceramic artist is Adrian Arleo. Her figurative ceramic sculpture is evocative and beautiful. I am also grateful to the Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG) and the many artists there who have helped me make connections and grow my art career. It was through SAAG that I learned about the Tucson J and participated in my first show here. 

  

Why are you excited to share your work at the Tucson J?
What an honor to be able to present my work at the Tucson J! There are so many wonderful patrons of the art within this community and I’m grateful to share my work with them. I have been in several shows with the Tucson J and it is always an amazing experience. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gallery space with me. I have been working hard over the last 18 months to fill it! 

Thank you, Tracy! We are looking forward to the show! 
 

Alongside the gallery show, Tracy will host two free events at the J: 

Artist talk and kid-friendly art activity | Thursday, August 27, 5-6pm 

Opening reception | Thursday, September 24, 6-8pm