Frequently Asked Questions

What is an HHC?
What is it like working with an HHC?
Will you create a meal plan for me?
Am I going to be put on a restrictive diet?
Will you create a written fitness plan for me?
How often should I work out with my trainer / teacher?
Will you create a written fitness plan for me?
What do I need to do prior to my first session?
What should I wear to my session?
Will I need any equipment to get started?
What should I eat before my workout?
Do you recommend any books to get me started?
What are your rates?
Do you have a cancellation policy?
How can I pay for services?
How do I get started?

Have more questions not listed here? Email us!

What is an HHC? As holistic health counselors (HHC), we are focused on working with you as a living, whole person, working with you not only on the food you eat, but also what the Institute for Integrative Nutrition calls "primary foods" - the full spectrum of things which nourish your soul; your career, relationships, fitness, spirituality, and self-care. When one of these foods, both physical or non-physical is missing or off balance, you are off balance - we strive to help you find your equilibrium (and happiness!).

We are not nutritionists or registered dietitians, but health counselors certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and graduates of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. You can find out more information on the forward-thinking philosophies of IIN and its founder Joshua Rosenthal here.   Top

What is it like working with an HHC? We believe in giving our clients life-long tools instead of using quick-fix plans which require no thought on account of the client. Our clients are intelligent beings who have the capability to understand and listen to their bodies better than anyone else. We are here to help guide you along the way. We will educate you to make smart choices and help you remain flexible in your response to what your body needs - today, tomorrow and 10 years from now.

We believe no one diet or fitness plan works for everyone. In fact, the same plan that worked for you in your 20s will be very different than one that works in your 50s! Working with us is not about counting calories, counting points or weighing yourself incessantly. It's about feeling good in your skin, noticing the effects of how you feel rather than what the scale is telling you, and feeling fantastic for the rest of your life! We are trained in many different dietary backgrounds and have knowledge of over 60 different dietary theories so we can educate and help you figure out which combination is best for you.

Our staff are also extensively trained in physical fitness programs including weight training, yoga, cardiovascular training, injury prevention, as well as healing modalities of massage and meditation. Top

Will you create a meal plan for me? We encourage our clients to take the 'thinking' route towards nutrition. That is, getting to know their bodies on an intimate level so they know exactly what they need at any given point rather than 'coasting' by with a meal plan taped to the refrigerator.

While we won't create a pre-made meal plan for you, we will help you write down specifics of what works best for you, but it will be an interactive process in which you will be very involved (and in which experimentation will be a big part!). We'll start with a list of 'great foods to incorporate' and ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner which you can try out and subsequently discuss their effects for you. From there we'll work together to figure out what you would like to eat, when, and what is realistic in your schedule. It's even better than a meal plan because you actually get to be involved in creating a lifeplan that works for you, is flexible, and that you really enjoy. And that's the main goal isn't it? Top

Am I going to be put on a restrictive diet? No, we don't believe that one diet works for all people, and we also don't believe that restrictions makes us any happier than we were before - in fact quite the opposite! We will not put you on a diet, but instead help you figure out a lifeplan and arm you with a toolbox of nutrition, fitness and well-being knowledge which you can pass on to your friends, loved ones, and children to help them live a fantastic life just like you.

You don't have to eat grass and leaves all the time to be healthy, and you also don't have to banish carbs, wine or even chocolate cake! We believe very strongly that our bodies will tell us what we need if we just give it a chance to speak to us. We want you to fully enjoy your food and feel completely nourished by it on all levels; physical and emotional. Top

How often should I work out with my trainer / teacher? You can work with us as much or as little as you would like depending upon the support you need - some of our clients choose to work with us once a week, others 2, 3, even 5 days a week. But each client knows that regardless of how much they work with us, they will only get out as much as they put in. Our recommendation for a great place to start is 2 sessions / week plus a commitment to do work on your own. Top

Will you create a written fitness plan for me? We will fully support you in creating an weekly workout program to complement your nutrition and fitness routine with us and keep you accountable for it. However, we are unable to provide you with a fully written routine if we are not with you to watch your form  and make sure you're exercising safely. Certain exceptions may apply, but we want to make sure you remain injury free! Top

How long are the sessions? Personal training and yoga sessions are one hour, unless stated otherwise. Massage therapy sessions are 60 or 90 minutes. Nutrition sessions vary depending on your program, between 30 minutes to one hour. Top

What do I need to do prior to my first session? Your teacher or trainer will generally arrive a few minutes early to set up and your session begins as soon as your teacher or trainer arrives. Take time to relax before your session so you don’t feel rushed or stressed. For massage sessions, your therapist will generally arrive about 10 minutes early. Please have a clean sheet and bath towel ready for your therapist when they arrive.

It’s a great idea to set aside a specific space for your sessions to occur, particularly if you are working in your home. Create a space that you feel very comfortable in, free from distractions and reminders of what you have to do after your session. There’s nothing more distracting than doing yoga while looking at your computer on your desk and thinking “oh I forgot to email Joe!” Top
 
What should I wear to my session? Personal training: wear comfortable exercise clothing and sneakers. Yoga: wear comfortable exercise clothing and bare feet. Top
 
Will I need any equipment to get started? A yoga mat is recommended for all personal training and yoga sessions. As you work with your teacher or trainer he/she can advise you on what equipment you will need for your in-home sessions, taking your space and budget into careful consideration. Top

What should I eat before I work out? Try to avoid eating a full meal right before your session. If you are hungry, a small piece of fruit (apple, banana) about 30 – 40 minutes before your session will give you the energy you need for the hour. Make sure you drink water to hydrate before and after your session. After your session, a good mix of protein and carbs will get you on the road to recovery; a nut, banana and honey smoothie is the perfect answer! Top

Do you recommend any books to get me started? Yes! You can download the suggested reading list. It includes everything from nutrition books to training books, magazines and cookbooks. Top

What are your rates? Our rates vary depending on your program and the Provider with whom you work. You can see our general rates, but call us to put together a personalized package for you. Top

Do you have a cancellation policy?  Yes, we do. Barefoot Tiger has a 24-hour cancellation policy. Should you need to cancel a session, please contact your Teacher/Trainer or the Barefoot Tiger office at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. If 24 hours notice is not given, the session will be charged as a completed session. Top

How can I pay for services? We have an online system which allows you to monitor your account with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can pay by check or credit card. If paying by check you can send it via postal mail to: Barefoot Tiger LLC, 40 West 116th Street, Suite B308, New York, NY 10026, payable to Barefoot Tiger. For credit card payments, we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.  You can either call us with your credit card information and we will enter it into the system for you, or you can log in (link) and enter the information into your profile. All online information is completely secure and encrypted for your safety. Top

How do I get started? Give us a call or send us an email and we'll be glad to speak with you about your goals! Once we know what you're looking for, we'll set you up with the right teacher / trainer / counselor / therapist for an initial consultation (1 hour, 15 min - $125). (Massage therapy is excluded from the initial consultation discount). From there, we'll set you up with an online account, send you a short questionnaire / waiver to return to us before your first appointment, and get you started on your path to health! At any point during the process, we can discuss the package that works best for you and are always flexible to create the best program for you. Top

Contact us now to get started!