Frequently Asked Questions
YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE….
WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE YOU TAKING TO MAKE THE STUDIO SAFE & WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN VISITING THE STUDIO?
We are using HEPA air filters and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces after each use. We are mask-optional for Pilates lessons, and mask-mandatory for massage and acupuncture services.
If you experience any of the following, it is important that you let us know in advance of your visit by calling to reschedule if:
*You or anyone you have had close contact with has tested positive for Covid-19
*You or anyone in your household has experienced in the last 2-3 weeks: fever 99.5 or higher OR flu like symptoms OR cough OR shortness of breath OR loss of taste or smell
* If you are just feeling unwell
Late cancellation fees for any of the above reasons will be waived during the COVID 19 pandemic.
You can find the code to enter the building in your confirmation email. You can help ensure the cleanliness of the studio by spraying down any surfaces you have touched during your visit with a clean towel and sanitizing solution, and place your used towel in the basket by the front desk. We will be sanitizing all high-touch surfaces between each lesson, scheduling extra time between appointments, and rotating apparatus. If you would like to purchase props for your own personal use during your session, please let us know.
IS PILATES A WORKOUT OR A HEALING MODALITY?
Pilates is a type of conditioning exercise that has unique benefits. Improvements in alignment, core strength, and mind/body connection are gained through regular practice. It is also uniquely designed to help people rehabilitate from injuries due to its emphasis on proper alignment, strengthening and stretching, and balancing the body — both symmetrically, left to right – as well as relieving dominant muscles of their tension by allowing/assigning smaller or postural and core muscles (which are often weak) more of the work in supporting the body and its movements.
For example, many people have dominance in the upper trapezius/neck and shoulder area, unnecessarily engaging these areas when making arm movements. This can lead to shoulder and neck tension, pain, and even conditions such as frozen shoulder. A properly taught Pilates progression allows the student to engage the often under-used muscles below and surrounding the neck and shoulder to execute arm movements. These more efficient movement patterns become automatic with regular Pilates practice. For those who are dedicated enough to correct improper movement patterns through regular practice, change is long lasting and a lifetime of prevention of injuries and pain is gained.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Any cancellations made within 24 hours prior to the class time are charged in full, except, as noted above, in cases of illness due to the pandemic. This policy applies to online classes as well as in-person classes. Instead of cancelling, you may transfer your class as a gift to a recipient of your choice, but please notify us with their contact information.
CAN PILATES HELP IMPROVE POSTURE?
Please see our blog article on the postural benefits of Pilates here.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PILATES?
While it is impossible to list them all, here are a few of the benefits reported from some of our students engaging in regular Pilates practice:
Increased energy and zest for life
Increased strength, especially of the core
Better body awareness and ability to engage core muscles in daily life
Relief from back pain
Improved elimination and continence
Improved body image
Mood benefits (including relief from mild depression)
Improved alignment of the ankle, knee, hips, shoulders, and ribcage
Improved posture
Increased flexibility and range of motion
Improved performance in sports
Prevention of muscle and soft issue injury, and increased healing time
CAN PILATES HELP MY CHRONIC PAIN OR INJURY?
While it is never possible to guarantee that any particular treatment intervention will produce a particular effect, there are many people who have reported improvement of their condition after starting a regular Pilates practice. Some of these conditions include:
Acute and chronic back pain
Carpal tunnel
Hip and knee replacement rehabilitation
Sports injuries
Scoliosis-related pain
Frozen shoulder
Chronic fatigue
CAN PILATES HELP PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS OR KYPHOTIC POSTURE?
Pilates is an ideal form of exercise for those who have either been diagnosed with or would like to prevent being diagnosed with osteoporosis/osteopenia. Weight bearing exercises comprise the bulk of Pilates mat work, and it is these exercises that are recommended for maintaining bone density in at risk populations.
CAN PILATES HELP PREVENT SCOLIOSIS?
Pilates is ideal for those who have been diagnosed with scoliosis, or who wish to avoid being part of a new generation of adults diagnosed with late onset scoliosis. Pilates in a supervised setting focuses on alignment as well as balancing both sides of the body. Asymmetrical patterning and strategic unilateral movements in these individualized programs help to strengthen weaknesses in the muscles of the trunk that can contribute to or cause a rotation in the spine.
HOW CAN NUTRITION COUNSELING HELP ME?
What we choose to put into our bodies is, some would say, the most basic and fundamental choice that we have to make as individuals; and as it is repeated many times daily, it is potentially our most powerful choice affecting our level of health. It is often difficult to see our own patterns, and working with a nutritionist as part of a team with other health care providers can be empowering to our sense of control about our personal health, and can be instrumental in bringing about major health changes. We have seen nutritional counseling help resolve the following ailments:
Hypertension/High blood pressure
Insulin resistance/Pre-diabetes
Allergies
Skin conditions
Fatigue
Depression
Overweight/Underweight
Hair loss
So what is the “right diet?” Because everyone is different, in terms of our unique combination of ancestry (nature), environment (nurture), and habits, this will inevitably look somewhat different for each of us. Gaining a solid and informed understanding of the basic principles of good nutrition, the specifics of what will be best for your body, and the support needed to make changes to implement them can be life changing and produce nearly immediate results and lifelong health shifts.
DO YOU OFFER CLEANSES?
We offer cleanses seasonally in January, April, and September. If you are interested in a cleanse, please contact us.
DISCLAIMER
The material contained within this program is provided solely as general educational and informational purposes. Use of this program, advice and information contained herein is at the sole choice and risk of the user.
Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before beginning any exercise or nutrition program. Upon using this program, you are agreeing to hold harmless Lemon Tree Wellness and any providers of Lemon Tree Wellness from any liability with respect to injury or illness to you or your property arising out of or connected with your use of the information contained in any of our programs, our other programs, our email newsletter, or our website.
Want to Find Out More?
Check out more information on any of our modalities below:
acupuncture / east-asian medicine
pilates
energy work
monthly wellness workshops + moon circles
health and wellness coaching
Needing to get in quickly?
Check out our virtual and tune-up options below, or book a free consult here.
VIRTUAL CONSULT
A virtual consult includes a comprehensive medical intake with our acupuncturists, mindfulness techniques, a custom herbal formula or flower essence, and constitutional lifestyle suggestions. Price of session does not incorporate the cost of herbs or essences.
What People Are Saying
“Our daughter, a freshman in high school at the time, was suffering with non stop headaches. Doctors couldn’t find a cause for the headaches and while that was good news, it didn’t give her any relief. A friend recommended acupuncture and told us Katherine helped tremendously with their daughter’s headaches. We thought it was worth a try as we’d exhausted all other options. Sure enough, after the second treatment, the headaches were gone. Our daughter loved her appointments with Katherine. She is genuine in nature and we are externally grateful to have been recommended to her.”
I absolutely LOVE going to see Katherine Armer for acupuncture! Her graceful, wise, and calm presence and sense of humor is always so comforting. I got a 75 minute deep healing treatment with needles and cupping today to help me recover from intense back spasms and headaches that have had me down for the past few days. Her skilled hands apply the needles with so much gentle care that I barely feel a thing. My body went into a state of deeply relaxed meditation as the energy meridians started to calm and balance. I feel so refreshed now, I can’t wait to get a good night’s sleep!
~ Elsa
“Katherine has helped my husband, daughter and me navigate many different ailments. Over the years she has helped us with with everything from muscular and joint pain and headaches to managing side effects of menopause, Lyme disease, and stress. During the annual cold season she knows many effective methods of alleviating sinus and chest ailments and helping one’s body reclaim its energy and boost immunity. She is easy to talk to, generous with her time and a true delight to be around. We highly recommend her healing gifts!”
~ Martha
“I have very limited experience with acupuncture, so I was nervous about the treatment, but being very kidney deficient (only having one) I was told acupuncture would strengthen my whole system. Katherine Armer made me feel completely at ease with the process. The office was lovely and comfortable, I admit I have fallen asleep more than once. Best of all, I feel GREAT!! Apparently my spleen wasn’t doing so well, but thanks to Katherine we are working on that little organ too.”
~Sher
We acknowledge and express gratitude for inhabiting and working on the indigenous homelands of the native tribal peoples of the Pacific Northwest.