Breathe first. Take a moment to close our eyes and take few deep breaths to calm your nervous system. We would like to let you know we are thinking of you and focused on the well-being of our community in these seriously strange times. As promised, we have been monitoring CDC and WHO updates for the most current information and recommendations as to how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. As leaders in the wellness space, we are trusted with the health and well-being of our practitioners and are committed to adopting the practices that offer the best protection for our community. After much deliberation, in the light of the many scientists' recommendations, clear civic and social responsibility, and needed widespread community action, we are temporarily closing the studio effective immediately. We will reevaluate this fluid, complex, and evolving decision on Thursday March 19th and communicate with you at that time based on the information we have. Alachua county is still considered a “low risk” area and we believe this decision will contribute to that truth. Our consciousness has shifted dramatically in the last 48hrs to prioritize the health of our community and activate the immediate benefits of social distancing. We will be practicing social distancing at our home. We recommend if you are able, that you practice social distancing at your home too. We will be back together in our yoga home soon. As a new business in Gainesville, in the midst of opening a 2nd location, this is an extremely difficult and tremendously burdensome decision. However, as a community gathering place, we feel that it is our responsibility to set a good example, ask people to stay home during this crisis, and follow the instructions of national, state, and local health departments. At our core, and the core of yoga, we have a responsibility to others. All of our efforts to bring you the Yoga Pod experience is an effort to improve the lives of others, and we believe that this closure will do just that. (Even if the short term feels like, or does, cause us suffering). Even though we will not be holding classes, our management team of Crimson, Ellie, Emily, Tanner & Taylor will be working regular hours and non-stop in the background to ensure we continue to deliver the best experience possible when we re-open. We are a small family owned business and have many individuals who rely on the studio for their sole income and we will do everything we can to support them during this time. We will do our absolute best to provide financial hardship options for any of our teachers. We have a strong set of company values, and the most complex and hardest value we hold so close is to do the right thing, and we believe this is just that for our collective community locally and nationally. Yoga Pod Members:
The Future:
Optional Online Classes:
What You & We Can Do Together:
On a Personal Note:This collective endeavor has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my, Rachel, and Dan’s lives. To our core we love what we do because you are a part of it. Our gratitude runs as deeply as possible for your support. This decision comes with heavy hearts and an unknown future yet we have faith in the strength of our community and doing the right thing. While away, we will be doing what we love and what you see in the studio. We will be setting our lights to different colors at our house, will be playing music, dancing, exercising, meditating, and doing our yoga practice. Last but not least, I encourage you to enjoy this time as much as possible. Let's reframe this time of "social distancing" as a time for slowing down and perhaps connecting more deeply with yourself and your loved ones. This is a rare opportunity not only to reflect on what is most important, but to fully embrace it...health, love, breath, life. You can bolster your steadiness, trust, and cultivate the common bond we have with humanity to increase your care and kindness to others through an in home meditation and yoga practice. Turn towards the difficult and know that your calmness, while staying grounded and centered will ripple out to those you encounter. As we ended class on Saturday, I will end with a loving kindness meditation. Find a long spine. Take a deep inhale…….take a deep exhale. Silently or verbally, slowly repeat the following: May we be happy Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. Alex Jarboe CEO & E-RYT 500 |