Ashtanga Yoga School of Bellingham

Covid-19 Protocol | Version 2

Effective 10/2/2020

During the Covid-19 epidemic we are required to operate under additional safety guidelines. Our Covid-19 safety guidelines have been adopted through collaborative efforts with several organizations, utilizing standards from:

Washington State Guidelines (available by clicking here).
Federal guidelines set by the CDC (available by clicking here).

Perhaps the most important message of our Covid-19 operating plan is that we all understand that nothing is without risk, and we realize that no system will be perfect in its capacity to limit possible transmission of Covid-19. While there is no way of guaranteeing that our staff and customers will not be infected with Covid-19 while with us, we will try to mitigate the risk through additional preventative safety measures, as follows:

Students and staff are required to socially distance while within the yoga studio. The main studio area allows for 5 students and one instructor to practice while maintaining a minimum of 6 feet social distancing. When more than one person is in the yoga studio area, all students and instructors are required to wear a mask.
All students must take a vow of ahimsa during Covid. The general format for this vow can be found here.
All students/customers are encouraged to bring their own face covering; if a customer arrives without a face covering, they will not be allowed entry into the studio or common areas. All students will, by request, be provided with a basic, single use, disposable surgical mask. Note: We have invested in a stockpile of Jackson KN95 masks, as well as offering locally made “basic mask” coverings by eqpd. If you need a nice face covering for your practice please let us know and we may be able to provide you one at a discount.
All common areas, door handles, hard surfaces, chairs, and equipment is now being cleaned with a EPA approved disinfectant such as Simple Green Pro5 or another product available to us from the approved list of disinfectants.
Additional hand washing procedures will be maintained by staff.
All students are required to shower before coming to class.
2 spray bottles filled with locally made hand sanitizer will be kept at the yoga shala (we are currently using the alcohol based product made by Chuckanut Distillery). One spray bottle is at the entrance to the main studio, the other will be in the studio itself.
To prevent disruptions and potential risk of exposure from other tenants of the building, we will only be using the “side” bathroom, which is commonly shared with the adjacent studio. Due to Covid-19, we have an agreement that our studio will keep that door locked from the inside (to make it impossible for anyone from that studio to enter). Thus, we will have sole use of that bathroom during class sessions.
We will run the heater on high much of the time, with windows open and fans operating to aid in the circulation of fresh air.
All staff and students will be utilizing body temperature, and symptom tracking procedures to prevent a staff member or student from coming to the yoga school while symptomatic. Utilizing basic preventative methods and a questionnaire for all regular students to ensure that we are acting as a community and working to protect each other from Covid-19 wether we are at the yoga studio or carrying on with our daily lives. All students are encouraged to take a vow of ahimsa prior to practicing during Covid-19, specifically to avoid large groups, and follow all CDC, State, and local guidelines to avoid Covid-19 exposure, as well as continual daily symptom tracking including temperature checks prior to attending class.
All students will be required to attend by monthly tuition only. Drop in students will not be allowed. We will encourage, in any way we can, the same students coming to class each day. It is our priority to engage in a small group of students who are dedicated to the practice and development of yoga knowledge, as well as to the safety and well being of all people in our community, and especially their fellow practitioners at the yoga school during Covid-19.
All students will be offered a prompt and no questions asked refund for tuition (at a pro-rated discount based on the number of days left remaining in their tuition) if they are symptomatic or otherwise have been either at risk for Covid-19 exposure or have tested positive for Covid-19. The yoga school will furthermore volunteer to reimburse any student through a tuition waiver, for any costs they incur (including travel) so that they themselves may get tested for Covid-19.
There will be no lingering in “common areas” or shared spaces outside of the studio, as these spaces are not “safe” to remove masks, loiter, wait, or otherwise increase risk of others in exposure to infection. All customers will be instructed to walk directly into the yoga studio, where they will be at that time under the direction of the staff.
Instructors are encouraged to utilize non-physical adjustments. Any student who wishes to not be touched may place a symbolic “do not touch” sign on their yoga mat (available in the front room by the main entrance) -or- by simply emailing us and notifying the yoga school that you do not want physical adjustments (once you send the email please stand by for confirmation).
Props will not be allowed to be utilized and put back in our prop room. Students should bring their own props, and if they need to be left at the shala space, to leave them on one of the black folded chairs. Students may leave a mark or otherwise leave something with their name to note that a particular chair is their personal prop and equipment storage space. If students need to borrow props, take them from the prop room before class and place them at your practice spot and then leave them on your black chair in the shala.
All staff and customers will be instructed to use the shared “side” bathroom ONLY, and will under not use the bathroom at the top of the stairs. If there are other groups sharing the common areas, we will only utilize the side bathroom, and request that if there are multiple groups attending the space at the same time, that AYS staff and customers be provided exclusive access to the side bathroom. In any case, masks will be worn at all times in the side bathroom, and visits will be kept as short as possible.

Addendum for practicing students

Notes: The grey boxes with an “X” mark the chairs you will utilize for your personal belongings and props during session. If you need to go into the prop room do it before your practice starts (or just practice without props).

Bathroom: We will only use the side bathroom that can be accessed from within the yoga studio. We will not utilize the bathroom at the top of the entrance stairs.
Hand Sanitizer: Several bottles of hand sanitizer will be in the shala. You may take one to place by your mat.
Numbered spots for mat placement are as follows (see diagram). Note: When there is only one student or private session you may practice wherever you like).
Physical Adjustments: Students may request that no physical adjustments be done on them. They can do so in writing. There are also “no touch” laminated cards that are sanitized at the entrance to the practice space. Simply take one (do not put it back) and use it each day by placing it in front corner of your mat, on the floor, to symbolize that for any reason at all, you prefer not to be adjusted physically on that day.
Speaking to other students during session is forbidden while anywhere on the shala property (in the practice space, the foyer, the common area at the top of the stairs, et al.).
Drinking water from a water bottle during practice session is forbidden (leave your water bottles for after class).
Masks must be worn during practice, and while this may sound difficult, it is not. In fact, many small Mysore rooms across the world have very low oxygen levels due to the amount of people breathing in there. You will find that your mask and the brilliantly clean air we have at the shala will provide you with adequate oxygen to complete your practice each day.
Maintain strict cleanliness; shower before class, and keep your mat, clothing, and props cleaned and disinfected. You may use whatever cleaner you decide. If you do not have a cleaner that does the job satisfactorily please let staff know as we have a stockpile of radical EPA approved Covid-19 chemicals.
Observe the Covid-Ahimsa vow found here.

Additional Works Cited, Links, & References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

OSHA Risk Levels

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/hazardrecognition.html

EPA Approved Disinfecting Solutions

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars- cov-2

Washington Safe Start Plan

https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/safe-start

CBIZ Covid-19 Compliance Roadmap

https://www.cbiz.com/insurance-hr/services/employee-benefits/downloads/managing-through-covid-19-and-beyond-an-hr-benefits-and-compliance-roadmap-for-employers

Washington L&I “Which Mask for Which Task”