I'm trying to plan a way forward for us and prioritising those of you attending during and prior to lockdown before opening out availability and advertising to any new joiners. I would really appreciate your input asap so I can shape a schedule and class offering that can hopefully suit and support us all.

I will begin planning based on responses here at the end of next week so I'd be grateful if  you could submit this survey asap and ideally by 13th Aug please. I understand that some of you may be away/offline, so even if later to respond please do come back to me when you can - thank you!

When lockdown began classes were swiftly moved to Zoom and we have all adapted to make this work really well. I'm very happy to continue our Zoom classes as understand that many of you feel more comfortable with classes online at this time. Classes continue to be recorded and uploaded to Vimeo (150 to date!!) where you have secure access to view at any time (if block booking).

Over the summer holidays small group outdoor classes have begun in a private field at the same location as my equipment studio - Westfield Farm, Mill Lane, Great Brickhill MK17 9BG. It has been amazing to see people in person again at such a beautiful location. I hope that as long as weather permits we will be able to keep these going beyond the summer holiday period and may look into options for providing some kind of shelter or shade for us with a semi-permanent structure. In the event of poor weather conditions we will revert to Zoom as a back up.

I am hoping in time to have my own matwork space available for us but it will not be ready in the short-term. We have the option of returning to the small room at Stoke Hammond Village Hall on Mondays but due to social distancing requirements I can only have 5 people per class which is 50% less than before lockdown.  

Also the hall no longer employs a cleaner so I will be cleaning before, between and after classes. My professional body has advised that floors should be mopped and the room aired for 15-30 mins between classes.  

It is also recommended to bring your own mat and small equipment with you to classes. Social distancing would be maintained between clients and myself and no tactile hands on teaching is permitted. There may also be a requirement for myself and clients to wear face masks and I may also need to wear a visor.

Due to the issues mentioned above I imagine I would need to increase prices to £10 per person for class of 5 and block booking would be essential to keep consistent class bubbles. Any missed sessions could be caught up with online classes or class recordings only.

I was also considering offering 1:1 Equipment Studio sessions at half-price (currently £40 reduced to £20) monthly for those block booking either in person matwork classes, outdoor classes or Zoom classes.

Before return to any in person classes it is necessary to complete a LH Pilates COVID-19 Supplementary Questionnaire (Form CVSQ) which will be sent to you via GoogleForms.

I am hoping to be able to retrieve and deep clean my matwork equipment stored at the village hall since lockdown shortly and wondered if it may be useful for any of you to borrow items during this time.

If so I could bundle as follows:

1) Small cushion/Large cushion, Small (green) and/or large (blue) overball, hand weights, ankle weights

2) Full foam roller and/or half foam roller, Pilates magic circle

I would require a small deposit, such as £5 per bundle to be paid via BACS please during the period of the hire which would be reimbursed when equipment is returned.

I am going to wash used bands again and they can be added if required or I have a roll of pink (light resistance) or purple (medium resistance) bands at home and cut extra long (mat length) and they cost £5 new. You are welcome to borrow any of the green folding mats too if of use to anyone.

Priority for hire of matwork equipment would go to those block booking sessions on first come first served basis.

If you wish to purchase your own equipment: https://www.louisaharrispilates.co.uk/matwork-equipment

You can find Covid policy here: https://www.louisaharrispilates.co.uk/enrolment/covid

As far as I know that studio should be able to open in September, as soon as I have more details I will share with those of you that attend the Friday classes.

I'm not aware of any plans to re-open just yet so I'm assuming classes will continue via Zoom for now and will advise those of you that attend the Wednesday classes once I know more.

Thank you so much for your input and support! Have a lovely sunny weekend and look forward to seeing you soon!

Take care

Louisa x