An IG Live conversation with Alycea Ungaro and Alisa Wyattt was a great chance to hear new ideas as well as reaffirm my own thoughts for the process and protocols to safely open back up my space to students and clients.
As always, Alycea spoke from her heart with honest and open sincerity about her plans for her large studios which service a multitude of clients throughout New York as well as employ a number of teachers, staff and service personnel.
Alisa led the conversation and fielded questions from the IG audience. She delivered a clear, crisp, concise planned approach to ensuring all her people would be safe through the process. The thinking was ordered and detailed, right down to the “numbered alternating workout lanes” that would allow multiple people to use the studio while maintaining the 6-ft CDC-recommended distance requirement. As she said, “I may sound like a lawyer, I’m not, just married to one.”
My notes from the dialogue helped me immediately form both content and context of my newsletter to help my much smaller work space serving students and clients become comfortable with the protocols we would use.
I had just purchased 10+ face shields to use while teaching and loved the fact that Alycea had the same idea, commenting that she wanted her “teachers faces and smiles to be seen.”
Students will need to wear masks to enter the building but have the choice to remove them while they work out, as I will continue to wear the face shield throughout the sessions.
I decided that everyone must wear a long sleeve cotton t-shirt, gloves, and sticky socks so that no skin is exposed or touched. No midriff tops anymore.
Additionally, I plan to wear gloves, a long sleeve shirt as well as the face shield, permitting me to see and be seen while protecting both of us.
The Newsletter Communique: Preparing to Return to Pilates Movement
I purchased three different types and am waiting for the the last one to arrive, at this writing. My plan was to use the Protective Halo (Type 1) as a face shield while riding my bike or teaching outside. I am using an old fashioned cotton sweatband on my head and wrap the face shield velcro band ( Type 2 and 3) on top of it. The shield sits far enough away from the face that glasses could be worn underneath.
Type 3 are disposable (I bought 10); Type 2 is made of a much more durable acetate that can be cleaned and reused.
All face shields were ordered from Amazon.com and were boxed and packaged for safe shipping and under $30.
I don’t yet have a preference. They are all very comfortable. There is no steaming of the shield from the inside while talking and frankly, I like having options. Inexpensive safe options.
Gina Jackson, is a classically trained Pilates Teacher and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for the past fifteen+ years.
Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Brett Howard; loved workshop training with Cary Regan and Blossom Leilani-Crawford and has particularly enjoyed listening to the personal stories as told by Pilates Elders, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
An active teacher and blogger, Gina manages a private personal training business supporting a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.