Baby, Come Back! Returning to In-Studio Classes Safely

It’s been over a year now that we’ve been trudging through this long, dark tunnel . . .at least it’s felt like that, sometimes, hasn’t it?  And then there have been those flashes of light, especially as the weather started to get warmer recently and we saw the first glimpses of crocuses and daffodils signaling the promise of spring, which felt more hopeful than any year I can remember.  The past year in this “tunnel” may have brought you other moments of light as well, especially when you looked for them: Zoom happy hours with friends around the country/world whom you hadn’t “seen” in years, more good books, long walks, discovering hidden talents, cleaning out closets and getting organized, home-cooked meals and creativity in the kitchen . . . and perhaps a few added pounds.

If you’ve been Zooming into our virtual fitness classes from home and/or incorporating more brisk walks, runs and bike rides into your days, kudos to you!   Our world has changed over the past year and we’ve developed new habits and new ways of doing things.  Joining in your favorite exercise classes online has become very convenient for some of us, so we will continue to offer online yoga, Pilates, barre classes and more for the foreseeable future . . . as long as the general consensus (and attendance) shows that they are desired. That said, for many of you (myself included!), you just can't beat the community and accountability of a real, in-person fitness class. After all, that's the whole reason Breathe was born!

As more and more of us are getting vaccinated you might be starting to think about coming back in-person to Breathe.  We are SO ready to see you when you’re comfortable doing so! Here's what you need to know:

Benefits of Live Group Fitness Classes 

-       You find more motivation and inspiration.  We tend to push ourselves a little harder when there are other people right next to us to cheer us on and to inspire us, too!

-       You really feel that camaraderie with others when you are able to smile, laugh and even groan with others . . .we sometimes miss those moments at home

-       For classes that include music you hear it much better when you’re live and in-person and it can make for an even more enjoyable and beneficial experience

-       Your instructors are able to see you so much better in person and can offer better tips on proper form for better – and safer – results

-       You hold yourself even more accountable when you sign up for an in-person class and you generally don’t have to worry about any technical “glitches”

-In a studio environment, everyone is on an equal playing field. There's no worry about not having correct equipment or adequate space--we've got you covered. Your living room wasn't designed to host your favorite yoga practice, but our studio was! 

In-Studio Safety

-       Spaces for mats are marked off to allow 10 feet between class participants

-       With the Virginia requirements, as long as mats are 10-feet apart in group exercise classes, masks are not required when you’re on your mat.  It is your prerogative whether you want to wear your mask through class or not.  Masks must be worn when entering the studio and whenever you step off your mat

-       Everyone who enters the studio submits to a forehead temperature check 

-       Everyone who enters must sign a COVID waiver that attests to lack of COVID symptoms, known exposure to COVID, etc.

-       We are cleaning high-touch surfaces between every class and are making use of our fancy new UVC Sanitizing light, which is designed to destroy bacteria and germs when no one is in the studio.

-       We’ve invested in an air purifier with HEPA filters which is large enough to clean the air in our 900 sq foot space – and we are working to ventilate the studio a little more by cracking windows and doors when the weather allows

-       Each mat has a bottle of disinfectant next to it so that any weights and other hard-surface studio equipment used can be wiped down after each use (you still must bring your own mat and any “soft” equipment to class, i.e., blankets, straps, bolsters and the like). You can check our website store to see what gently used equipment is still available for purchase.

And, as much as we’ll want to, we promise we won’t hug you, unless we’re both vaccinated and we both want hugs.  

As always, let us know if you have any questions.  We so very much look forward to seeing more of you live and in-person . . .when YOU are ready.

Namaste.