Local gym owner Jodi Oslund says it’s important everyone stay connected, healthy and moving.
Oslund, who owns Coyote Fit, closed the doors of her gym for the time being the evening March 15.
The announcement came in response to the recent guidelines put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Oslund’s priority is to keep people moving, active and healthy despite not being able to go into the facility.
“It’s good for your mental health,” explained Oslund in a phone interview. “This is a time when we would probably really benefit from yoga and fitness classes and community and connection.”
Looking at the positive angle Oslund decided to create a free internet outlet where facility members, and non-members, can connect and stay active.
In a Facebook group she is posting classes for people to follow while at home to substitute for the in-house group classes.
“We’ve got a pretty strong community and instead of finding negative situations from this we can all help build each other up, connect, support each other [and] stay united, even if it’s without social connection in person.”
She added she is looking forward to be able to use this time to spend time with her family doing what they love.
Staying active at home is going to be even easier with the kids around, said Oslund, who encourages people to get creative when it comes to being happy and healthy.
“My kids have already developed a schedule on who’s going to be in charge of teaching the workout each day of the week,” she explained.
On the other hand, she says, those who may be living along might have a harder time, but she suggests picking up the phone over texting in an effort to stay connected.
Oslund is also looking to find a way to have an online outlet support her Eckville Rec Board position.
Peace in a Pod Yoga Studio is also closed and are suggesting people continue to practice via virtual classes.
“Yoga means connection, whether you want to look at that like unity connection of us in a room together or staying connected from a distance,” said Oslund. “Yoga is also a way of life - being healthy, being kind, being considerate of others - I mean, there’s really no limit here except for the in-person connection.”
Financially she is unsure what impact this will have on her gym as the situation will affect everyone differently in the long term.
“I do feel like I’ve got a fairly supportive community at the gym and when things are safe to be up and running I feel like they’ll all be ready and exited to be back,” said Oslund,
The online outlet can be found on Facebook under “Coyfit-20 *Connection Group*”.
Phoenix Dance in Eckville is also closed due to the outbreak.