I hope this finds you well and healthy.

As you know, a few weeks ago there was an announcement to close all group fitness studios. So all of us studios closed. Then the next day, most of us reopened when they clarified we could now have 4 people + 1 instructor per class.

Now, this week, a new announcement has been made. Group fitness classes are not permitted at this time due to the new measures put out by the Alberta Government. As such, all in person yoga classes are cancelled effective Friday the 26th. Further announcements are said to be made on Dec 18th as to how to proceed forward.

We kindly ask that you switch over to join our virtual live stream classes in the meantime.We know that while some are loving the benefits of live-stream, it is not an ideal compromise everyone, especially for new students. I am really sorry for all of the ups and downs of what’s been happening with all of the re-opening and closing. Unfortunately it is a situation that is completely out of all our hands. If you need adjustments made to your memberships or would like to cancel, I completely understand. Please email me at melanie@buddhabelly.ca.

Normally I have so many more things say (and sappy ones at that) but at this point I honestly have no words. I am absolutely exhausted and full of 999 other emotions. As a business owner where you invest your time, whole life and savings into something and 80% of our revenue comes from yoga, it’s beyond sad and frustrating and it will be a miracle if we make it through this again. It doesn’t make any sense to me why businesses like casinos and bars are open, yet yoga, the practice that lends so much to mental health is not permitted at this time. The Irony is that I just spent a fortune on special UV machines and cleaners that are recommended by AHS to kill Covid…for no reason. Aghhh. I hope these new measures do help lessen the spread of Covid so that we all remain healthy, safe and can get back to a “normal” life together one day where in person human interaction is the preferred style for everything and our lives, health and livelihood are no longer threatened by this monster.

If you’d like to support the studio in the meantime, please consider:

signing up for virtual yoga classes. It really helps us to keep the teachers working and ensures their livelihood. It also helps us to continue offering yoga online for those who greatly rely on their yoga practice;

consider making a purchase from our online retail store (we do still have some used props for sale and I will be adding more on Monday);

make an appointment with one of our massage therapists, acupuncturists or reiki practitioners. We do offer direct billing to most insurance companies for massage and acupuncture. Please know that your health and safety is our utmost priority and is reflected in all of our cleaning, intake and treatment practices. All cleaning practices and supplies are approved and recommended by AHS. To check out our covid protocols for massage, reiki and acupuncture please visit our website http://www.buddhabelly.ca. I am very grateful that we are able to still run these treatments at this time. It could always be worse.

We appreciate your continued love, support and patience.

I know everyone is being affected in one way or another and my heart so completely goes out to you. We are all in this together. Sending you much love and light.

Hang in there everyone

Xo,

Melanie

Closing & Reopening Confusion

Okay. Things got a little confusing and weird there for a minute. Thanks COVID.

The government announced (with only a few hours notice) that studios were no longer able to run group fitness, so all of us yoga studios in Alberta shut down our studios to in person classes. BUT THEN the very next day, clarified that we are actually now allowed to have 4 people plus an instructor for in person classes. OY! What strange and contradicting times we are living in. You are probably asking “how does one sustain a business with 4 people in a class?” Well…It doesn’t.
However, we are going to roll with it anyways and hope that the live-streaming option is what will sustain us through this roller coaster ride.

So, while we run in person classes (with only 4 people in them), the teacher will ALSO be live streaming the class at the same time so that you can join in right from home on your computer, laptop, iPhone or iPad. All your regular passes and memberships apply to online classes. You sign up as usual through our website or Mindbody app and then a link to the class will be sent to you 30 minutes before class. If for some reason you don’t get a link, call us ASAP 780-249-9642. Thanks in advance for your patience.

To schedule your class, book now on the Mindbody app or CALL US AT 780-249-9642 or visit http://www.buddhabelly.ca

If you need an extension on an unlimited pass you had when before our first lockdown, please respond to this email so I can set you up with an extension and access to live and in studio classes.

If you have an unlimited yoga membership the bonus is that you get a FREE on demand video library where you can access pre-recorded videos from our team from anywhere at anytime. We will have regular 60 minute classes but have also added some 15 minute, 30 minute classes as well as meditations for your time convenience! We’re feeling excited about that.

You will notice, I myself am not on the schedule anymore but rest assured, once I have worked out all these kinks you will find me back up there and in the Video on Demand Library.

Another good note, is that our lovely Sophia will be joining in with us from the United Kingdom to teach classes which is very exciting! We are so happy to be able to somehow have her on our team still, from afar. Her classes will be added in tomorrow.

We also have 3 new great teachers joining us, Scott, Bailey and Rian! We are sooo thrilled to have them on the team. So be sure to give them a warm welcome when you see them. We have a few more staff joining us soon, we will keep you posted.

I just want to say a BIG thank you to Terri for all of her help this week. You have truly been a saving grace. I couldn’t have done it without your support!

Thanks for everyone’s support in general and extra big thanks to the teachers for just being awesome in general but also for switching gears so fast and being willing to learn a new setup and teach online classes.

Things may not be normal and they may be hectic, but you know what? I am beyond blessed and grateful to have all of YOU (customers, staff and other supporters) written into my weird “covid movie”.

Sending all of my love and hugs your way. I wish you and your families well.

I hope to see you tomorrow in those live classes people! ? ❤

XO

Sincerely,

Melanie and Buddha Belly xo

As the province has suspended group fitness, Buddha Belly Yoga and Wellness will be temporarily closing its doors to yoga effective immediately in order to do our part in reducing the spread of Covid-19. The closure is expected to last for two weeks (November 13-27). 

Since we can’t be together during this time, all of our classes will be Livestreamed so that you can connect with your instructor and other members. Thanks for your patience while we transition over. Our schedule will be updated within 2 days.  

If you have signed up for an in-studio class during this 2 week closure, your class will be credited back to your account.

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If you are in a position to support the studio, please note that: 

1. our online retail store will remain open for easy shopping;
2. we will remain open for massage, reiki, hawaiian healing and acupuncture at this time. Thank you in advance for any appointments booked as they do go a very long way in helping us stay afloat. Any support is greatly appreciated. We offer direct billing to most insurance companies for eligible services. 

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I’ll be honest here. There are many mixed emotions that come with a 2nd closure. I feel like I just regained my barings from the last 7 months by recovering from the 1st studio shut down while also enduring my own personal crises and volcano eruptions. I was just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, the good news is that Buddha Belly and I are very resilient creatures. We weather any storm (and trust me there have been many in all the years of being open) and this time will be no different! <3 We somehow managed to pull through and attempt to save and rebuild the studio the first time. I am not one for giving up, so here is to hoping we can survive round 2!  

Please know my heart goes out to you all. We all are experiencing a roller coaster of a life right now and this has affected us all in great ways and turned the world upside down. I hope you are safe and healthy and I can’t wait to see you again soon <3 I wish you all well during these challenging times. All we can do is breathe deeply and take it day by day, moment by moment. 

Together I hope to keep our community going. After all, it was the overwhelming love and support and kindness of the customers and staff that got Buddha Belly through the first time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking by me this year. You mean the world to me and I have so much love and gratitude in my heart for you all. 

Take care of yourselves and each other. Please remember to be kind. <3

Xo Melanie and the Beautiful Buddha Belly Team