Finding a Virtual Connection With You
As this pandemic escalates, I have been doing my best to support my clients while making ethical and socially responsible decisions. I know how deeply you depend on your movement sessions for your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. I also know that connection is hugely important now, and connection is an integral part of what I do. The fear of being stuck at home is on our minds, and I’m exploring how we can cope together. Read on for an update from me and how we can continue to connect at this time.
The Multnomah Athletic Club announced its closure on Friday and I spent the weekend furiously getting up to speed on Zoom (a virtual platform), ordering a tripod, painting my downstairs studio white, updating my website with a new schedule of virtual classes and conducting multiple test calls with fellow instructors. At this point I wasn’t sure how viable virtual classes would be, and I felt like my only hope was to transfer my business to Pacific NW Pilates, where I also teach about 10 hours a week in addition to the MAC. I wrote to those of you in my schedule these next few weeks to invite you to join me for class at PNWP or do virtual. But things continued to rapidly change. As much as I wanted to continue with a sense of normalcy and routine, things are not normal and they require changes in our regular actions to protect all of us. I will not be returning to my PNWP classes for the foreseeable future. My decision came from a deep place of concern for those around me and will allow me to limit my exposure to others that could lead to the transmission of this virus. This includes ceasing to promote situations that are not requiring at-risk folks to follow national and state guidelines and situations where I could be carrying the virus and pass to others, especially those in the most at-risk groups.
On the bright side, I have fully transitioned to virtual group classes and private lessons in my home studio, Studio 400! If you would have told me one week ago that I would be launching a new business model over the weekend and going live with it 2.5 days after beginning research, I would have laughed at you. But I did it! My colleagues helped test, my community stepped up to help me with technology, and my angel husband and sister-in-law worked tirelessly to help me in whatever they could. Although I sometimes hate technology so much I want to throw my screens across the room, I have had so many wonderful moments this past week of coming together- finding community when it was almost taken away from us. My first virtual Mat Pilates class on Monday morning brought huge smiles to my face as some of you popped up on my screen. And my Pilates + Fitness class on Tuesday sold out! I can’t believe how quickly you have jumped on board and I am so grateful! Although the virus has taken away my employment, my paycheck, my in-person social life and family, it has given me an incredible opportunity to try this new virtual gig out. I would never have done this if it wasn’t forced upon me, and I am learning so much! Not to mention the fact that when I’m in my home studio, I can almost forget about the tumultuous world outside while I make myself of service and enjoy my community in a new, digital way.
My web site now has easy to follow tech tips for using Zoom, the platform for virtual classes. It’s really not as tricky as you might think. Many of my self declared ‘non-tech’ students have already taken virtual classes quite seamlessly. I love Zoom because it creates a class type setting where we can all see each other, but you can also choose to make yourself private. It’s been fun and social to greet each other at the beginning of class, get down to business as I lead the exercises, and then check in and say good-bye after. This is connection! I can even see you well enough to offer cues and modifications, but because I’ve been working with you for quite some time already, I likely already know what your postural cues will be for particular exercises. Click here for class descriptions, schedule, and to sign up! I will also be offering a limited number of private sessions via Zoom, and virtual family classes for those that are separated at this time. Please inquire for details.
Virtual classes are mutually beneficial. I hope they will bring joy, connection, and help maintain your emotional & physical well-being. At the same time it will help me stay afloat and continue to do what I have always told you I feel is my life’s calling. I used to teach 20+ hours a week in studios and these changes are a lot to swallow. I will be watching closely to see when we can return to in-person classes. For now, I’ll see you online!
With hope and faith,
Mandee
