Current COVID Policies

Updated for June 1st, 2020

In the spirit of social distancing, and helping everyone in our community stay happy and healthy AND connected, we’ve implemented the following guidelines for our in-studio classes, starting June 1st. 

First and foremost, we appreciate your understanding, patience and support as we all work hard to navigate this new territory. Our schedule is fluid, and we expect to be making changes on the fly. When in doubt, please hold compassion in your heart for our team — as we absolutely do with each of you, our dear yogis. We are so excited to see you all in 3D!

Studio Check-In Procedures
General Notes:

• If you don’t cancel and don’t show, you will be charged for the class (see specifics under New Class Policies). 
  
• There will be a maximum capacity of 14 students per class, spaced 6 feet apart in the studio, plus the instructor.

Once you pre-register online and arrive for class, here’s what you do:

1. Students are to do a self-assessment before entering the studio, and by showing up to teach class, this effectively confirms you do not have a fever and are not experiencing any sign of illness before class.
2. Arrive 10-15 minutes prior to class start time — and remember that downtown Whitefish can be busy sometimes in the summer, and on Farmers’ Market days! Just like normal, we lock the door at the class start time, and the studio door will close. 
3. When you arrive, wait outside of the studio, and give a look (and a smile!) to the teacher inside. She will indicate when you can enter the studio, one student at a time.
4. Students will stand a minimum of 6 feet from the check-in counter and check in with the teacher. Instructors are encouraged to use their own personal devices to access the Mindbody Business App and check students in. Our devices are available in the event a student needs to make a purchase.
5. Students are encouraged to use hand sanitizer before entering the studio; we have a local option provided for you at the front desk, and throughout the studio.
6. Students are encouraged to bring minimal items with them into the studio, to not use the cubbies when possible, and place their mat in a designated spot. 
7. We encourage students to use the restroom and change clothing BEFORE coming to class. As a last resort, our restroom is available.

Studio Social Distancing

1. Classes are scheduled at least 30 minutes apart from one another, which allows for students to enter/exit class one at a time, keeping 6 feet distance, sanitation between classes, and adequate time for students to enter and set up for class.
2. Class size is limited to 14 students per class.
3. Tape indicates where to place your mat. These have been measured to be a minimum of 6 feet apart in all directions. 
4. Students and teachers should maintain a 6-foot distance from one another throughout class (which is easy if you stick to your mat at all times!)
5. This goes without saying, but please refrain from handshaking, hugging, or touching. We are all going to be professional air-huggers!

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Prop Rentals

1. Mats: Students must bring their own yoga mat and any props needed for class. You can purchase a mat for $20+ while supplies last. 
2. Other Props: We will not provide blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets, etc. Students are welcome and encouraged to bring their own props to class or purchase them from Yoga Hive.
3. Don’t worry! Props will not be a central part to class as to not exclude students that do not have them.

New Class Policies
Yoga Hive’s policies have always guided a safe and fun environment for teachers and students. As we make changes for reduced class sizes and sanitation procedures, we must amend our previous policies. Students that do not follow the new policies will not be permitted to take class and late cancellation penalties will apply.

1. Practice Caution: Do not come to class if you are feeling under the weather, including, but not limited to flu or COVID-like symptoms. If you register for class and decide that it is best to cancel, please contact our management team ASAP via email ([email protected]) or phone (406-862-1571)  to ensure you are not charged any late cancel fees. If you DO cancel with the assumption that you have COVID symptoms, you will be asked to stay away from the studio for at least 14 days or until you have received a negative test result for COVID-19. 
2. Student Mask Policy: The CDC is still maintaining that wearing masks can help mitigate asymptomatic spread of the coronavirus. Because our policies are focused on the community as a whole — both visitors AND locals — we request that all students enter the studio and check-in wearing their own mask. Masks can be removed once you have your mat in place and are ready for class. Please know we are NOT asking you to practice yoga with a mask… just wear it for a few minutes when you walk in and out, out of respect for the greater good until the CDC tells us otherwise. 
3. Staff Mask Policy: Instructors are required to wear masks before and after class. They will not wear masks during class so they can effectively and clearly guide your practice. They will teach from their mat to help mitigate the spread of respiratory droplets, and no hands-on assists will be provided. Please act most responsibly for yourself and those you live with.
4. Class Cancellation: As our class sizes are dramatically impacted by social distancing and sanitation procedures, we will enforce temporary cancellation policies that are more stringent than our previously held policies. 
   1. Cancellation Window: Students can cancel their class through Mindbody two hours ahead of class time without penalties.
   2. Late Cancellation: Students that cancel within the 2-hour window before class or fail to show for class will lose their class. Those on an unlimited pass will lose 2 days from their package.
   3. Exceptions: We understand life happens, and we especially understand if people need to cancel last minute because they’re feeling ill. We will take exceptions on a case by case basis. If you would like an exception, email our owner, Mollie Busby, [email protected].

Instructor Guide for COVID-19 Safety in Studio Setting
Before Class:

1. Instructors are to do a self-assessment before entering the studio, and by showing up to teach class, effectively confirm they do not have a fever and are not experiencing any sign of illness before class.
2. Instructors are expected to arrive at the studio 20 minutes ahead of their scheduled class time.
3. The studio will be ‘clean’ from the previous instructor. Instructors will do a brief check that all surfaces and handles are clean and may choose to sanitize before their class.
4. Instructors will turn on lights, set up their mat in a designated area, and prepare for students to arrive.
5. Instructors will wear a mask during check in and check out. 
6. Students will wait outside of the studio until the instructor is ready for students to come in.
7. Through the door (window), the instructor will wave for students to begin entering the studio, one at a time and check them in.
8. As a student is ready to enter the designated ‘yoga’ area, remind them to use hand sanitizer before they head into the studio.
9. Once a student has entered the designated ‘yoga area’ the instructor can give a signal for the next student to enter the studio.

After Class:

1. Class will end on time. 
2. Instructor will ask students to remain at their mats as students exit the yoga room and studio one at a time. Students can use this time to socialize, at their mats. 
3. Once all students have exited the yoga room, instructor will use sanitary items (either Clorox wipes or disinfectant spray and a hand towel) to wipe down surfaces in this order:
   1. Toilet handle
   2. Bathroom sink faucet
   3. Lid of bathroom trash can
   4. Bathroom door handle first inner and then outer
   5. Door push bars to the bathroom hallway (outer and inner)
   6. Wooden block used to prop open the door
   7. Tablet and/or anything touched on the alter
   8. Lid of studio trash bin
   9. Thermostat surface (if it was touched during class)
   10. Light switches
   11. With specified floor cleaner and spray mop, the one-foot perimeter surrounding the designated mat spaces that were used, the 2-5” space within the perimeter of designated mat spaces that were used.
   12. Door handle for the sliding door
   13. Any cubbies used by students from class.
   14. Reception desk surface
   15. Studio door handle (inner and then outer)