Katie Kahumoku - Owner
Katie moved to Seatttle in 1996. She has always been drawn to fitness and wellness, so when a co-worker recovered from a whiplash injury using Pilates, Katie was intrigued. After just a few lessons, she was hooked. After several years as a client, she went through the training program at what was “The Pilates Studio of Seattle” (now Pilates Seattle International) and became certified to teach in 2001. After multiple rear-end collisions, Katie rehabilitated every injury with Pilates. She was also able to correct a naturally tight upper back, hyper-extended knocked knees and flat feet by taking bi-weekly lessons.
She has built her career on the belief that Pilates and hard work can at the very least reduce, and most of the time eliminate pain. The personal connection she has with clients is very important to her and customer service is a top priority in the studio. She has worked in several studios, and opened Pilates in the Village in early 2006. She always tries make time to give back in some way, usually teaching at least one hour a week to someone in need, but without a budget for Pilates. The hope is to offer more of that as her team gets stronger can take on more.
She credits many of her instructors for all that they have taught her. She had the opportunity to learn from Romana Krysonowska for several years and did her final testing with her. Romana’s passion for Joe’s work was an inspiration to always try her best to help a client. However, it is with working and learning from Lori Coleman-Brown that Katie credits as her biggest influence.
Education is very important to Katie, whether it is something big or small a client may teach her, taking lessons, continuing education workshops or work groups at Atlas. She is looking forward to having the opportunity to work with Lori as a Teacher Trainer at Atlas Pilates in Seattle and hopefully traveling to teach as well.
Katie is a dedicated mom to three boys and a dog, a wife, a full-time instructor and studio co-owner. Her life is very full and never boring! Without the help from the team at PITV and a supportive husband and family, it wouldn’t get done, so she is very thankful for the 12 wonderful years of owning and operating Pilates in the Village in Edmonds.
In 2014 Katie and Kim Engelke connected through Pilates. With similar goals and Kim’s business mind, the two decided to team up and open The Workshop in 2016.
Certifications
- Certified Classical Pilates Instructor (Romana)
- Pilates Teacher Trainer (Atlas Pilates)
Hanni Reeb - Pilates
As a youth, Hanni was a gymnast, swimmer and diver. In her early adulthood she taught Aerobics and acted in musical theater which often involved dance choreography and acrobatics. Entering the corporate world and ultimately starting a family, she made little time to pursue such movement oriented activities. As a result, health took a backseat and a sedentary lifestyle took precedence.
Then, in 1998 Hanni started Pilates when a friend needed a practice client for her apprenticeship program at P.S.I. She was very eager to try out a system that promised a whole new body after 30 sessions. She worked out thrice weekly and was amazed at the transformation. She was thrilled to have found a program that embodied everything that she felt was important in exercise, and that actually kept her attention all through out.
Ever since, she has become almost evangelical about Pilates. Her hiking, swimming, triathlon training (and even Parallel parking—ask about that one!) have all benefited from it. Over the years several people have approached her, thanking her for recommending such a program.
Happy that she has influenced these people to do something that produced such positive results, she decided to become certified to be directly involved with people’s transformational results.
You will instantly become aware of her enthusiasm and commitment to the Pilates practice as soon as you sign up for a session with her. In her teaching, she draws from her many interests and life experiences around the world, in her former career in international marketing, as well as being a mom and school volunteer. Hanni uses a lot of visuals and descriptive language to help you understand your goals in executing each move. She has an uninhibited style of using her voice to get you to into the rhythm of an exercise as well. You will progress in your Pilates practice, knowing that you have a teacher that respects the work so immensely that she is constantly in movement workshops, honing her craft and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Certifications
- Certified Classical Pilates Instructor (Romana)
Sharon Hummel-Kramer - Pilates
Sharon is a 2017 Graduate from Atlas Pilates in Seattle. Sharon received her Pilates training from Lori Coleman-Brown, making her a third generation, classically trained Joseph Pilates instructor. Prior to entering the Pilates apprenticeship, Sharon retired in 2016 from a career in healthcare. Realizing that she wanted to approach healthcare from a different direction, her love of Pilates made the pursuit of a Pilates instructor certification a natural choice.
Sharon is a passionate equestrian. She owns two horses named Capote and Saboteur. Sharon competes in regional dressage shows. Prior to Pilates, Sharon felt she was strong from years of bodybuilding, triathlons, and commuting to work on her bicycle. However, after a long break from riding, when she returned to classical dressage, there was an event when her horse spooked and Sharon pulled a muscle. There were more events like this where something small happened and Sharon sustained a muscle injury. These events sent her to Sports Medicine Physical Therapy. It was there that her physical therapist told her, “I can keep fixing you or you can just do Pilates.” Sharon immediately began Pilates. Her physical therapist was correct, the injuries stopped. Through Pilates, Sharon learned that in order to be strong, muscles must also be supple. Pilates changed Sharon’s definition of strength. Pilates also changed Sharon’s riding making her a more balanced rider. Her horses thank her.
All bodies benefit from the Pilates principles, which include control, concentration, centering, breathing, precision, flow and rhythm. These principles benefit will benefit everyone as they apply Pilates to their daily activities. Whether an equestrian, a cyclist, a skier, a gardener, a cook, a programmer, or a dog walker these principles apply. Pilates helps all bodies to move. And, Pilates is fun.
Come have fun at The Workshop. Sharon looks forward to meeting and working with you.
Certifications
- Certified Classical Pilates Instructor
Shawna Butterworth - Pilates
A true Pacific Northwest local, Shawna has resided in the North Seattle area her entire life. Quality of movement has been important to her for as long as she can remember. Spending most of her childhood through early 20’s doing gymnastics including 3 years of coaching at both youth and high school levels, the importance of proper movement is deeply ingrained. She knows that correct body alignment can send you soaring through the air, or just as importantly gliding with ease through your day with controlled movement, adding balance to your everyday life.
After high school Shawna obtained a degree in Engineering Design Technology from a local college, and rolled into a career as a Mechanical Designer for 15 years. While she got to let her creative side flourish in the designing process, sitting long hours in front of the computer everyday took a toll on her body. A few years into her technical career she went looking for an activity to keep her body functioning in a better way. When she heard about a Pilates studio opening in her neighborhood in 2006, she knew she had to give classical Pilates a try. It was Katie’s studio, Pilates in the Village. She was immediately hooked, and even started looking into training to be a Pilates teacher at that time, but the time commitment was too great. She was in the middle of a steady career path, which did not leave room for a rigorous apprenticeship. Nevertheless, she continued taking lessons from Katie through 2012 for balancing her own body using the Pilates method and deepening her knowledge of the work.
Mid 2016 Shawna found herself looking for a better work/life balance and took a break from her role as a Senior Mechanical Designer. While exploring her possibilities she happily slipped back into the world of Pilates and began the preparations necessary to apply for a Pilates teacher training program. Shawna was accepted into an apprenticeship program under the direction of Lori Coleman-Brown that began in September of 2017. As part of her training, she assisted, observed and student taught at The Workshop under Katie’s guidance. She completed her program and was certified in August of 2018. She enjoys teaching and helping people feel better and achieve their goals by bringing balance, control alignment and flow to their workouts and lives through Pilates.
Certifications
- Classical Pilates Apprentice
Michele Curtis - Massage
Michele obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater and Dance at Southern Oregon State University. She has over 24 years of experience as a Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Injury, Aromatherapy, Lymphatic Therapy and Reflexology. She is also a certified instructor of the GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® Method of Exercise.
Michele strives to connect and tune into the needs of each of her clients, providing them with the appropriate healing therapy. Her sessions can include; Hot Stone, Cupping, Warm Bamboo, Gua Sha, Aromatherapy and Hydrotherapy. Her specialized bodywork provides recovery from stress and or trauma which allows freedom from the physical and mental stresses that negatively impact our lives. Michele’s combination of treatment massage is an excellent way for returning the body and mind back to a balanced state of health and well being leading to complete rejuvenation.
Michele has worked in a variety of settings including an Acupuncture Clinic, Health Club, Pilates Studio and Spa. She is experienced in working with athletes, dancers, and those simply wishing to tune into their own bodies.
She also practices Yoga, Dance, Weight Training, and loves to get out and hike with her dogs in the Northwest.
Please feel free to contact Michele directly for more information, consultation or questions. 206-437-6701
Michele teaches weekly group GYROKINESIS® classes held at The Seattle Changing Room on Westlake Ave North and Aditi Yoga Studio on Stone Way Avenue North.
A sample video for the GYROTONIC® method of exercise is as follows:
A sample video for the GYROKINESIS® method of exercise is as follows:
GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® is a registered trademark of GYROTONIC® Sales Corp and is used with their permission.
Heidi Merkel - Massage
Heidi graduated from Cortiva Institute in Seattle Washington. She is certified in Ashiatsu, known as the world’s deepest massage, using overhead bars to massage with feet providing a deeper more luxurious massage with a broader pressure. She also specializes in deep tissue, working the entire body to bring balance and restoration through increasing range of motion and structural integration. Her style is very fluid as she melts into the muscles and releases tension throughout the body. She also practices cupping an ancient technique using cups to decompress the tissue creating space and myofascial release rather than the compression of traditional massage.
Certifications
- Licensed Massage Therapist
