Frequently Asked Questions

Pilates is a form of exercise that emphasizes core strength, spinal mobility, balance, and mind/body connection. It involves controlled, flowing movements that engage multiple muscle groups, typically done on specialized Pilates equipment designed to increase muscle activation, range of motion, and proprioception.

If you have any medical conditions that you are being treated for please consult your doctor or physical therapist before starting an exercise program.

To get started, an Intake Session is the easiest way to assess your current needs and goals and can help determine whether personal training or group classes are the best fit for you. We offer excellent introductory packages for new clients! Our Beginners Basics Package is designed with total beginners in mind, while our Intro to HPWC package is best for clients new to Hana Pono that already have a background in Pilates,who may have questions about what classes will be best suited for them.

For individuals that have no medical conditions or special considerations we then suggest continuing your wellness journey with our Pilates Foundations classes. Gentle Pilates, Level 1, or Stretch classes would also be a great choice.

Depending on what type of injury you’ve sustained, how long it has been since your

injury, and what kind of therapy you have done since the injury, we may require a

doctor’s release before you are cleared to attend class or private training.

The best way to figure out your needs is to book an Intake Session with one of our

instructors. In this 45 minute session you and the trainer will work together to help you assess whether personal training, small group classes or another form of physical therapy is the best plan for where you currently are.

We require a medical release from your physician if you have any of the following:

• Heart condition
• Bone or joint problems
• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes

Our classes are open to all levels and all ages 14 and older.

If you have any special considerations, medical conditions or are recovering from an injury, we recommend first talking to your doctor and/or physical therapist about beginning an exercise program. We are happy to help you set and evaluate personal goals. If personal training is deemed a better option, one of our experienced instructors will help you progress into group classes as appropriate. Written medical clearance from your doctor may be required before starting personal training or group classes.

There are a variety of reasons why people choose personal training. Personal training is best for clients who are:

• Brand new to Pilates
• Recovering from illness, injury, or have other special considerations
• Working toward a specific goal
• More comfortable in a one-on-one setting

We also offer semi-private sessions of up to 4 people!

Hana Pono Wellness Center uses an online booking system. The system is accessible through our website, as well as through the MindBody app that can be downloaded on all iOS and Android devices.

To reserve a class you can click on the “Sign Up” button by the class you want to attend, or you can click on the “Create Account” link at the top right hand corner of the page. You will then be prompted to create a username (your email) and password, after which you will be asked to agree to our online waiver. You will then be logged into the system and can make your payment of choice for your class reservation. You can also use the online scheduler to see what classes you are signed up for, make any cancellations (please see our cancellation policy) and request personal training services.

Yes, the online reservation system is the best way to reserve your class ahead of time. Our online system allows you to securely purchase class passes & personal training services, manage your account and see the most up-to-date studio schedule. Our friendly front desk staff is also available to assist with booking services, M-F between 8am and 5pm.

We recommend reserving your space for class ahead of time, as class size is limited to 4. However, you can always show up at the studio as a drop in if you are unsure if you will be able to attend class and cannot make a commitment to the 24 hour cancellation window, though space is not guaranteed. Please see our Studio Policies for more information on our cancellation policy, wait list and holding class reservations.

We typically publish the studio schedule quarterly, at the start of the previous month

(e.g. April 1-June 30 schedule is posted around March 1).. The entire quarter can be booked out as long as you have enough credit in your account to cover class reservations. You must have available class passes to book a class.

We have 4 spaces on the wait list for each scheduled class. Members will be required to purchase a class pass to be added to the wait list, or a class will be deducted from their existing class pass if they have one on their account. If you have purchased a single class pass and did not get from the wait list into the class, you will have 2 weeks to use the class pass.

Members that are on a wait list are expected to check their online account to verify their class status. When a spot opens in a class that was previously full, members will be automatically added to the class based on their wait list position (1st, 2nd, etc.). You will receive a courtesy confirmation email or text, but clients are responsible for checking their MindBody accounts to verify if have been added to the class from the wait list.

Members that are added from the Wait list to the class are subject to the Late Cancel

Policy if they have been added to the class two hours or more before the class starts.

Each class reservation is held for the client until the class begins, i.e. class starts at

8am: the reservation is valid until exactly 8am, at which time the client must be in the

room and ready to start the class. Once the class has begun, reservations no longer

exist and the class is open— first to members on the wait list, and second to walk-in participants that are waiting and ready to join the class. Reservations are nontransferable.

Once you have logged into your MindBody account either through our website or the app, you can cancel your class reservation through the My Schedule tab. An “Early Cancel” is a cancellation that has been made more than 24 hours before the class

starts. A “Late Cancel” is a cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start of class. Late Cancels and No Shows for classes will be considered used.

Once you have logged into our MindBody system you may review upcoming reservations under the My Schedule tab. You can also see all transactions, receipts,

check your past visits and change any account information securely.

There is an iPad in the entryway that should be used to check in for your class. If you have reserved a class ahead of time, your name will appear in the class with a blue “Check in” button that you can tap as you arrive at the studio. There is also an option to add yourself to the class if you did not reserve your space in the class ahead of time. If the class is full or if you have not made your payment for the class please make sure to check in at the admin desk or with the instructor.

New students should arrive 5 minutes early in order to learn how to set up your reformer. Please let the instructor know if you need assistance with the equipment. Our clinical reformers can be adjusted to accommodate for height and range of motion.

All of our classes are intentionally programmed with a beginning, middle, and end, and it is in your best interest to experience the entire class for maximum benefits. Pilates classes, specifically athletic based and jump board classes, require a thorough warmup. We take time at the beginning of each class to create space to focus and connect with your body. However, we have a 5 minute grace period after the start of class where you will be able to join class, space permitting. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will need to receive permission from the instructor to join class, space permitting. Classes will be closed 10 minutes after class start time.

On the rare occasion that you need to leave class early please notify the teacher at the beginning of class. Please make sure to wipe down any studio equipment that you have used the with cleaning spray and towels provided.

Wear comfortable athletic clothing that will allow you to move with ease! While close

fitting clothing is not a requirement, it does allow the instructor to more easily see what

is happening in the body. For both safety and hygienic reasons, starting December 1,

2025, we will require Pilates sticky socks while using the Reformer. (Socks are

available for purchase at the front desk if you do not own a pair.)

Please leave your outdoor shoes and other belongings in baskets on the shelving in our reception area. Your valuables are best left at home or in your car.

Yes. Depending on the pass or package that you purchased there is a time frame that the sessions need to be used within. Please contact the studio for more information.

Class passes and private training sessions can only be extended in the event of a

medically verified injury. A doctor’s note will be required for the suspension to take

effect. In order to reinstate your pass we will require a doctor’s note when you are

cleared to return to class.

Partially used packages cannot be refunded as account credit.

Unused class passes or personal training packages cannot be refunded. However, they can be maintained as an account credit for up to 4 months from the purchase date.

• Please be kind and friendly to everyone at Hana Pono Wellness Center
• Please no wireless communication while in the studio. Cell phones are best left in the reception area on “silent” or off, or in your car. In the circumstance where you need to have your phone nearby for emergency purposes please refrain from talking or texting in the studio out of courtesy for your classmates and teacher.
• Make sure to clean and wipe off your equipment after use.
• As a new client, give yourself 5-10 minutes before the start of class to familiarize yourself with the equipment and the instructor.
• Try to keep your belongings organized and compact in the reception area.
• Wear and use clean clothes free of debris, odors, heavy scented perfumes, sand, dirt, mud, etc.

• Check your schedule in your online account after you reserve a class(es) to confirm your reservation. If you sign up for a class you will be held responsible for that reservation.
• Download our app to your phone so that you can easily reserve and cancel classes, check your schedule and receive updates to your wait list/class status.
• Check the lost & found to see if your belongings may have ended up there. We donate lost & found items to charity every few months.