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CLIENTS RETURN TO THEIR PRE-PANDEMIC WORKOUT ROUTINES AS GYMS AND FITNESS STUDIOS REOPEN BY MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CORNELL WATSON
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‘FINDING A SAFE BALANCE’ is located in Chatham Mills near downtown Pittsboro and offers a range of yoga, dance and meditation classes for all ages. “Dancing and moving my body has kept me feeling young and keeping the joy during these challenging times,” says Maria Howard, a JOM board volunteer who also teaches inclusive joyful dance. “The connection and companionship I find oy of Movement
Seeing and dancing with my friends online helps me to keep hope and joy during these trying times.” – Maria Howard
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CHATHAM MAGAZINE
DECEMBER / JANUARY 2021
at Joy of Movement has supported me during COVID-19 especially.” Maria participates in non-impact aerobics online two times a week with instructor Kate Finlayson and also pops into Glenna Batson’s “Sacred Traditions” online movement class. “Being with my Joy of Movement community during COVID-19 has been essential for me to stay grounded, stay balanced and maintain my wellness,” Maria adds. “Everyone teaching at the studio takes all the COVID-19 protocols very seriously, and we adhere to a strict cleaning practice and wear masks at all times,” says Christine Chase, a longtime instructor at Joy of Movement. She specializes in using yoga to work with clients through addiction and trauma recovery. “Although it is a challenge to practice yoga with a mask on, we are adjusting and learning,” she says. Sandy Stewart teaches a Zen group called Joy of Stillness. “Although the studio was closed from March through May, the restrictions on attendance have been helpful in a way,” Sandy says. “One of our groups set up Zoom meetings, and, starting in June, Joy of Movement allowed teachers to use the studio with one tech person to set up and run the online broadcast. The benefit is that practitioners around the country are able to join.” “My main focus over the past six months has been continued communication with our community,” says Studio Manager Shelley Buisson. “Finding a safe balance between getting out and being in community, exercising and staying healthy, and minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infection, is not an easy one to maintain. I think we have found the best possible compromise, allowing those teachers who are willing to teach in-person classes to do so, yet keeping the risk of infection low.”
