DeeAnne Lowe

Dr. Jack Wong: Welcome back to another episode of our Spotlight Provider Series. My name is Dr. Wong. I’m the owner of Next Level Regenerative Physical Therapy, and today I’m with a special guest, Ms. D. Lowe. She is the owner of Lake Houston Pilates. Hi, welcome to the show, Ms. D.

DeeAnne Lowe: Hey, thank you for having me.

Dr. Jack Wong: Absolutely. The reason why I decided to bring on Ms. D. Lowe to our show is that over the years we have had a lot of patients who ask about Pilates and which is the right place. Is a different type of Pilates, and how do I know if you know Pilates is right for me? So, who better to ask than Ms. D. Lowe?

DeeAnne Lowe: Yes.

Dr. Jack Wong: All right. So, before we get started, Ms. D., can you just give us a little bit about your background information and kind of how you got into the space, and what made you decide to open up Lake Houston Pilates?

DeeAnne Lowe: Yeah. So, long story short, around when I was in college, I had always worked out. I was really interested in yoga, and I started doing yoga. And while I was in college, both my parents passed away. My mother died, and then my father died shortly after. And obviously, I was very depressed and very anxious. I still have anxiety to this day. But yoga was a safe, wonderful place for me; it really helped console me, and I wanted other people to feel that way. I was like, this is amazing, and it really inspired me to become a teacher.

And so, fast forward a few years, I got married, and we found out we were going to have a baby. And my husband said he was like, “You know, you need to find a job where it’s going to work with a baby’s schedule. And so I started training to teach yoga so I could have that flexibility, and trained to teach yoga. And about a year later, when my son was a toddler, a baby actually, I was working at Kingwood Athletic Club, and they had reformer Pilates, and I felt like it was kind of a natural extension of yoga because Pilates does have some basis in yoga, and so I decided to start training for it, and I, you know, I worked there until they closed, and then I moved on to another place and had another baby and had to kind of move on from there. And you know, fast forward a few years from that, and I was working at the country club, and they had decided to do away with their Pilates program.

They did not need the reformers anymore, and from that point, my husband was kind of like, “Well, what are you going to do? You know, we still have two little boys who, you know, sometimes they get sick, and you need to pick them up from school, and so I couldn’t go work in the woodlands or downtown or anything. My husband suggested that I open up a Pilates studio since I had kind of worked everywhere in Kingwood that I possibly could have worked. I had worked for the lady who trained me. I had worked at Embodied. I’d worked at all these different places, and so I did. I opened up Lake Lake Houston Pilates, and that was about 10 years ago. Now,

Dr. Jack Wong: That’s awesome. That’s awesome. So, obviously, as you said, you’ve worked all over Kingwood, and you probably know there’s a lot of like Pilates companies out there, right? Yes. What makes Lake Houston Pilates different from other Pilates businesses?

DeeAnne Lowe: We are not one size fits all. We’re very small. Behind me is my studio. It is this small. I only have six reformers, so max there are six people in the class. Usually, it’s much less than that. And someone walks in, and they’ve got. They tell me, “Hey, you know, I’ve injured my back. I’m aware of it. I can watch them, keep my eyes on them, and you know, even cater to the class. Like, hey, we’re gonna do this for your back, and so yeah, it’s it’s very specialized. I would say

Dr. Jack Wong: That’s awesome, and you bring a really good point because we got connected through a you know mutual client and patient of ours, and she was raving about how you guys are small group, and because of that, you’re able to pay attention to detail. Yes, and where she’s been to, like these bigger box places, and she felt like she was actually gonna hurt herself because it was like I think 1520 people per instructor.

DeeAnne Lowe: Yes, yeah, and I’m perfect. You know, everybody has their own way of doing Pilates, and there are people who can, and they can go to the big places, and they can keep up with everybody. But the vast majority of people that I see in my studio can’t. They can’t do that. And they’ve lost, you know, they’ve had balance issues. They’ve come back from a serious injury, and so it’s much better for them, and so much safer for them to be in a small space where I can keep my eyes on them, and you know, make sure that they’re okay, and and not put them in any sort of situation where they’re in danger,

Dr. Jack Wong: No, that’s that’s awesome. Safety is always first, right? So I totally agree with that. So as far as like ideal client, do you have an ideal client that comes to see you?

DeeAnne Lowe: Yes, someone who is willing to do Pilates, someone who is interested in it. Someone who’s kind of hopeful that, you know, what we can do here is going to make them better and make their life better. You know, it’s hard if someone comes in, they’re like, “I really don’t want to do this, and then sometimes you know I can kind of turn them around. But yeah, someone who’s, you know at least willing to try and open to the idea that maybe this could help them, you know. Yeah,

Dr. Jack Wong: That totally makes sense. And what are some of the common issues that your clients come to you for?

DeeAnne Lowe: I I’ve seen all kinds of issues throughout you know my career doing this, but very common are back problems, low back problems. People who have degeneration in their spine, people who are now going into osteoporosis, women who are going into menopause, you know, men who have back problems from hunching over a desk for the vast majority of their career, and now you know they’re in retirement, or you know even former athletes who are having problems. So

Dr. Jack Wong: Totally makes sense.

DeeAnne Lowe: Yeah.

Dr. Jack Wong: So you mentioned earlier today where sometimes people come in and like I’m not sure about Pilates. I guess from your standpoint, how do you determine if someone actually needs, you know, Lake Houston Pilates if they’re not quite sure?

DeeAnne Lowe: So a lot of people contact me, and they right off the bat they’ll say, “I haven’t worked out in years. I was injured. I went to physical therapy. I went to a doctor, but I haven’t really done anything since. And the thing is, is that so many people you know see these videos online of people basically doing gymnastics, and that that is that’s amazing for them. That’s wonderful, but I’m not going to do that to somebody, especially somebody who’s been injured and you know coming back to you know, the idea of hey maybe I can do this you know after being out of it for several years, so

Dr. Jack Wong: No, it brings up a good point, and that’s something we get brought up to when patients come in and say hey what do you think about this exercise and they’ll bring something that like an advanced athlete would do right, or like like you said, gymnastics, right? And it is a scary thought when people think Pilates. They might think like the extreme versus like, hey, let’s kind of meet me where you’re at and start down here before even considering going up to this level.

DeeAnne Lowe: Yes.

Dr. Jack Wong: So, what is something that most people should know before attending class at Lake Houston Pilates?

DeeAnne Lowe: Well, going back to the gymnastics, a lot of people come in, and they go, or they contact me, and they’re like, “Well, I see these videos online, and I can’t do any of that. And I’m like, “We don’t do that. We, you know, most of the classes that I teach are very classically based Pilates, and you know, of course, there’s some new things that people do, and of course, there’s always new things and new interesting things to try. But yeah, people need to realize that every Pilates studio that you go into is not going to expect you to be a gymnast, you know. And so I want people to know that they don’t need to be afraid. And people also come in; they’re like, “I’m not flexible. I’m like, “Well, that’s why you’re here. We can help with that.

Dr. Jack Wong: That’s awesome. So, what are your thoughts? Because you did mention earlier today, you do see a lot of folks who have, like, back issues that are hunched over all day at work, right? Or just, you know, being an athlete and just picking up injuries over the years.

DeeAnne Lowe: Yes.

Dr. Jack Wong: What are your thoughts on supplementing physical therapy with Pilates?

DeeAnne Lowe: I love it. Oh my gosh, I love it when somebody comes in and they say my doctor has sent me to physical therapy, and but my doctor also says that I need to start working out, and I and something safe for them to do is yoga, Pilates, and I’m like, yes. What else did your doctor and what else did your physical therapist say you should and should not do? Because I never want to stray from the guidelines of a doctor like you, or you know. Their primary physician, what they’re wanting them to do, and so I follow those guidelines and just kind of help supplement and you know go along with what is being told by their physical therapist and their doctor. But I do, I love it when somebody comes in because then I can immediately say, okay, what do they want? Because I don’t want to veer from their course. I don’t want to take off from that and take away from that.

Dr. Jack Wong: Sure. Now I think you bring up a huge benefit, especially for our mutual clients, because communication, right? It’s definitely of utmost importance between the provider and the Pilates instructor, right? Because there are, you know, restrictions. And at the end of the day, like we’re a type of clinic where, when someone’s already doing Pilates, right, or maybe interested in it for like mental health reasons, right, and just getting a good feel-go workout in general, we try to foster that and allow them to kind of do that. Because there’s a lot of research that shows when your mental health improves, it does decrease your stress hormone with your cortisol levels, which also helps improve like your overall wellness, right? Whether it’s from a rehab standpoint with us, or from like you know the health and longevity stuff with you know Pilates only, these workouts. So I think that’s you know probably one of the also another reason why we reached out is because of a mutual client who said the communication is really awesome at your facility. So when it comes to the process for joining Lake Houston Pilates, what does that look like?

DeeAnne Lowe: The process for joining is very easy. I do not have a membership. I don’t care for memberships. Everywhere kind of carries a membership. Someone would contact me. I would prefer text because I get so much spam in my email, in my even my phone calls that I end up missing someone who calls me about Pilates, and then I end up calling them. You know, days later, I’m apologizing profusely. Oh, I’m so sorry. You know, I missed this, but texting is the best way to contact me. But also, you know, people come in, and I tell them, I’m like, you may not care for this, or you may not care for me, or this style of, you know, Pilates. You can come in, and we’ll do. I usually recommend people come in, especially if they’ve never done it. I want somebody to come in and do a private. A lot of times, if someone is coming off of an injury and they haven’t worked out, I’ll suggest come in for 30 minutes and let’s lightly kind of work into this and see where you go. But yeah, if someone hasn’t ever done Pilates, I I prefer that they come in to do a private or even a half-hour private. But yes, texting me is best.

Dr. Jack Wong: Awesome. I think that’s very reassuring, especially for a first timer. They don’t really know what to expect, and they’re seeing these crazy gymnastic videos online, and then you’re like, no, let’s take it easy. Let’s see where you’re at, and let’s just meet each other. We’re you know on the same level to kind of get to know you a little bit better, and that that that’s an awesome process. So then people are less scared, especially trying something new, right?

DeeAnne Lowe: Yeah.

Dr. Jack Wong: If there’s one thing you want to be known for, Ms. D., what would it be?

DeeAnne Lowe: Being a kind person. I want people to know I would want to be known as being kind. I would want somebody to come back and be like, oh my gosh, you know she was really thoughtful and you know she really cared, and you know that that would be kind of the main thing is you know being caring and thoughtful and kind.

Dr. Jack Wong: Awesome. I know you have probably had a lot of clients over the years, and this might not be one of the questions we had set out to speak about. But is there was was there one memorable client off the top of your head that you remember from all these years as a business owner?

DeeAnne Lowe: Oh, so many! I have so many of my clients have been with me since before I started Lake Houston Pilates, and it’s we’re we’re actually very close. And you know, we text and we know about things in each other’s lives and things that are going on, you know, and we check in on each other, and you know, it’s there’s so many people that you know stick out in my mind, and there are so many wonderful people I’ve met over the years, and you know, I have one lady who comes to me for Pilates, and she’s been doing Pilates since before I was teaching it, you know, she’s been she she’s amazing, and you know, there’s people like that, and then there’s people that you know have moved away or gone off, and I still wonder how they’re doing and if you know there’s if they’re keeping up with doing Pilates or you know whatever happened to them, but yeah, there there are so many people that I still think of, and you know, and then of course their issues.

You know, something comes up. I think about this all the time. People will come in. I learn so much from everyone who comes in because I’m not a doctor. I’m a Pilates instructor, but someone will come in and say, “Hey, you know, I’ve been diagnosed with this issue, and my doctor wants me to start doing Pilates for it. And I’m like, “All right, you know, let me do some research. Let me start finding out how I can help you. So there is, you know, like I said, there are a slew of people that stick out my mind.

Dr. Jack Wong: That’s awesome. It sounds like you pretty much are not like the typical transactional business. It’s really trying to build a community of you know relationships beyond you know the doors of just a Pilates theory.

DeeAnne Lowe: Absolutely, absolutely. I mean, like I said, I want to be known for caring, and you know, being a kind person and thoughtful. It is not transactional for me. You know, if it was, I would be in a bigger place, and I would be doing so much more. But I want I want it to stay small and intimate and niche and you know, people to come in because so many people come in and they’re so intimidated, and they don’t, they you know, going into even a gym is terrifying for them. So, yeah,

Dr. Jack Wong: That’s awesome. So, how can people get in touch with you, Ms. D.?

DeeAnne Lowe: I prefer texting. It’s the best way to get best and quickest way to get in contact with me. My phone number is 281-961-4634, and we’re located at 1110 Kingwood Dr. Ste#210A. We’re towards the back of the building.

Dr. Jack Wong: Awesome, cool. Well, thanks for your time, Ms. D. Appreciate you being on the podcast, and I’m sure we’ll link up and have another one.

DeeAnne Lowe: Absolutely, I would love to do this again. Thank you so much for having me.

Dr. Jack Wong: Yeah, my pleasure.