1803 Connecticut Ave, NW via Take 5 Meditation
Thanks to a reader for “passing on the closure of the Take 5 Meditation studio in Dupont (DC’s Premiere Meditation Only Studio). A huge loss for the community, and one that will be felt for a long time.”
From Take 5:
“It is with a heart full of love, and great memories that we announce that Take Five Meditation will not be re-opening. (more…)
Photo by Ted Eytan
Thanks to Jack for passing on the latest Vida update:
“To our VIDA Fitness Members,
I want to thank you for your many heartfelt thoughts and suggestions for our reopening effort. The health and safety of everyone that enters our clubs continues to be our top priority. That has been our primary focus since March 15th and your recent input has made our plan even better. I am grateful for your insights. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan
Ed. Note: We recently spoke about the YMCA Gym opening preparations here.
“Dear PoPville,
I wanted to forward along this email I received today (Monday) from Vida Fitness. They’ve been providing weekly updates during covid-19 on how the gym is responding and the reopening plan. Today, they sent an email pushing members to email the Mayor to encourage gyms to be the first businesses to reopen in DC as soon as they can. They even provided a SCRIPT for what you should say?!?!?!?
I’ve been a member of Vida for years, and I would hate to see it go under now, but asking members to write to our mayor and emphasize the importance of gym reopening was tone-deaf, embarrassing, irresponsible, and extremely disappointing. They even have the nerve to say that gyms provide a unique ability for contact tracing in the city. Contact tracing is the last thing we have to worry about. No contact is what we should be emphasizing.
The last thing that ANYONE should be worrying about and fighting for, IS GYMS REOPENING. We should be writing to our mayor about more readily available testing, about more accessible healthcare in the city (have you seen the breakdown of cases and death by ward? income inequality is clearly having a deathly effect), about issuing fines and breaking up large social gatherings in Logan Circle, the Yards, and about policy that can aid in social distancing.
Here is the email content, sent from Vida: (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
Interesting guidance coming from the Y. This is the first I’ve heard that members would be required to wear a mask when working out. I support this but I imagine some will complain. I don’t think I would have problems wearing a mask when working out but maybe that’s a sign I don’t work out that hard?”
“Dear YMCA Member,
A CAUTIOUS OPENING (more…)
From the Office of the DC Attorney General:
“Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced today that Town Sports International, LLC (TSI), the parent company of Washington Sports Club (WSC), will stop charging members while gyms are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gym chain will also credit members for time the gyms were closed and offer free electronic membership cancellations through April 30. (more…)
Photo over the weekend at Lincoln Park by Stuart E. Allen
Ed. Note: On Friday we noted an increased police and National Guard presence at NPS run parks like Lincoln Park and Meridian Hill Park.
Ed. Note also: Per the Mayor’s Stay at Home Orders: “Allowable Recreational Activities means outdoor activity with household members that complies with Social Distancing Requirements, as defined in section IV.8 of this Order, and includes the sanitizing of any equipment used both before and after the activity. Outdoor activities should not be conducted with persons other than those from one’s own household.
Examples: Walking, hiking, running, dog-walking, biking, rollerblading, scootering, skateboarding, playing tennis, golfing, [Ed. Note: I believe tennis and golf were since rescinded] gardening, and other activities where all participants comply with Social Distancing Requirements and there is no person-to-person contact.”
Brett reports: “I was kicked out of Lincoln Park this morning by Nat’l Guard for doing solo workout. I’m confused as to the guidelines but want to respect those who are working to limit the spread of COVID. Are parks completely off limits? (more…)
And so concludes our latest WSC Saga Thanks to all who passed on from the Washington Sports Club parent company:
“April 8, 2020
Dear Valued Member:
We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. We have adjusted our policies to align with your needs and industry best practices: As a result, your membership will be put on freeze — at no cost to you — going forward while we are temporarily closed. There is no action required on your part to enact the freeze. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
Some DC yoga instructors are banning together to create an online schedule of live streamed free and donation based classes to help pass the time in quarantine. If anyone is interested the schedule (and ways to access the classes) is here.” (more…)
Ed. Note: This demand follows multiple complaints discussed here.
From the DC Attorney General’s Office:
“Attorney General Karl A. Racine, New York AG Tish James, and Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro today demanded Town Sports International, LLC (TSI) stop charging membership dues to gym members during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In the District, TSI’s Washington Sports Club (WSC) facilities are closed as part of the District’s emergency response to the pandemic. While many fitness clubs have provided automatic membership freezes at no cost, TSI has continued to charge District customers for memberships they cannot use. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan
I thought we’d concluded our gym talk but after yesterday’s Washington Sports Club talk folks want to talk about Vida too. So here we are – thanks to Paul for sending the latest from Vida:
“To our VIDA Fitness Members,
Every day we are experiencing an unprecedented volume of twists & turns as our nation comes to grasp with the coronavirus pandemic. It’s vital that I continue to keep you abreast of what we are doing and provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information.
In my original letter dated March 15th, I wrote to inform you that we voluntarily closed all VIDA locations from March 16th to March 31st. A few days after we voluntarily closed, Mayor Bowser mandated that all health clubs must remain closed through April 24th. Yesterday, the Mayor issued a Stay At Home Order. We are also dialed-in to the many briefings from Governor Northam and Governor Hogan. We expect things will continue to progress and find it unlikely that we’ll receive approval to reopen our doors before the end of May. (more…)