Great news! On Thursday afternoon, Governor Justice announced that we would be allowed to open our doors on Monday, May 18th. This was about a week earlier than I had anticipated, so I’ve spent nearly every moment since then thinking about how to make this work for us. I’ve talked to some students, talked to our teachers, consulted Yoga Alliance, met with Paula and Jen, and added several new pages to our website.
While many of us can’t wait to get back into the studio, others just aren’t ready yet. So I want to start by saying that I understand and respect all sides of this issue. I believe that each of us needs to act in accordance with our own conscience as well as within the bounds of government guidelines. As a yoga student, you must decide whether or not to come to class based on what is in the best interest of you and your family. If you have any reservations at all about coming to the studio, we ask that you refrain. Coming to class should not cause anxiety and stress. That is the antithesis of yoga. As teachers, we are here for you if you choose to come to class at the studio, and we will continue to support you online if you choose not to.
To that end, on Monday, May 18th, we will begin a hybridized schedule that includes in-studio classes, live streaming from the studio via Zoom, and prerecorded videos. Until we are allowed to operate at full capacity, our live streamed classes will continue to be offered for free. Donations are still very much appreciated as we are finally biting the bullet and having internet installed at the studio, which will increase our overhead. We have also slightly increased our class fees, which still remain lower than our surrounding studios and now include credit card processing fees.
If you choose to come to class, please take some time to familiarize yourself with our COVID-19 Protocol. This includes preregistering for classes. You can reserve a spot up to one hour before class time. In order to do so, you must have an existing class pass or purchase one prior to reserving your spot. Class sizes will be limited to 8 students. If you come to class without reserving your spot, and all 8 spots are filled, you will not be permitted to participate, and that would break our hearts.
Speaking of class passes, the expiration dates for existing class passes will be extended by the number of months that we were unable to operate and were operating at limited capacity. So far, that’s two months.
We also have a new waiver that every student will be required to read and sign before participating in classes at the studio. Please read the waiver before coming to the studio. If at all possible, we ask that you please print the waiver at home and bring your signed waiver to the studio with you. If that’s not possible, we will have hard copies for you to sign at a the studio.
Please continue to keep an eye on our calendar and on our daily Facebook and Instagram posts for the most up-to-date information about our classes. We are honored to be able to support you in these different ways.
In closing, I need to extend the deepest, most heartfelt thanks to those of you who have made donations to the studio during this time, and to those of you who have brought new students to our online classes. As you may know, not all of our local studios and fitness centers have survived this ordeal. I am constantly bragging about how wonderful MSY yogis are, but you have all exceeded my expectations these past two months! I am thrilled to announce that your donations have covered our rent for the past two months! It has been my privilege to be able to serve you over the last four years, but especially during this trying time. Your generosity has ensured that I will be able to continue to serve our community for years to come. And that makes me very happy.
So for now, see you at the studio OR online!
Namaste,
Angela