August 15, 2021

Greetings!

As you all know, the pandemic is not over and is shifting daily. We would like to go back to doing business as usual, but really, all we want is for all of you and our staff to be happy, safe, and stable. This past year and a half has been a test in patience, resilience, and, quite frankly, trust. We will not give up, and we need you all to not give up on us and continue to show your O2 pride anyway you can.

We have had two things pop up in the past week:

1. We had a student in our August 9th Sunday morning class with Elliott test positive for COVID-19, and have done contact tracing from there. We require students and staff to be vaccinated, so this was likely a "breakthrough" case.

2. Somerville will be issuing an indoor mask mandate very soon.

So, although we would love to see you all in the studio, we feel it is best to discontinue the in-person classes for the foreseeable future. We are aiming to resume in-person classes after Labor Day.

We cannot tell you how much it has meant to us to see and practice with you in the studio. Thankfully, we have a robust online schedule as well. (See our updated schedule here.)

Please stay positive (not test positive), and stay the beautiful beings that you are. We will make it through this, but need each other’s support to do so.

Mimi has decided to use this time to go back down to Nicaragua at the beginning of the month, as there is a lot of work to be done with NicaLove. As we say, yoga does not only happen on the mat. Check out opportunities for you to help support NicaLove below, including a cool event and fundraiser class.

And, if you missed it, Mimi taught a bunch of classes from her family's boat last month. So, yup, pose of the month is boat.

Let's sail into the next few weeks with a strong core, a sense of direction, adventure, creativity, and most importantly, gratitude.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know if you have any questions or thoughts.
Big love,
Mimi, Elliott, and the O2 Crew
Focus of the Month: Navasana

Let's talk about our summer-themed pose: navasana, a.k.a. boat pose. When we think of core strength, we often think of sit ups, but the reality is, strong core is about stability and integrity. It is about the ability to stand up tall and withstand whatever comes at you metaphorically, energetically, or physically, just like wind, waves, and water. (I love alliteration!) Boat pose is a perfect selection given the trying times that we continue to live in.
Yoga In Action: NicaLove Updates

Mimi and Julie from NicaLove are heading back down to Nicaragua in the beginning of September. They will be doing some work at the shelter, and will be holding another spay and neuter clinic and an adoption fair for the over 100 animals in need of homes.

Here are some ways you can help:

  • Attend this really cool online event: Speak to the Animals. It will be held this Thursday, August 19th, starting at 7 p.m.
  • Sponsor an animal, a clinic, and help us do as much work as we can on this next trip through a tax-deductible donation. NicaLove relies completely on donations to do its work. Any amount helps and it goes a long way to helping us help them. Donate today!
  • Attend an online benefit class taught by Mimi to support her work in Nica on Saturday, September 4th at 9 a.m. Drop-ins for this Intermediate level class will be $25. Sign up here!.
  • And last but definitely not least, we soon will have opportunities for you to adopt an adorable handmade creature like the ones pictured below, crafted and donated by our very own Dawn Erickson (psst, she also takes custom orders). Check out her Dawnie Darko Dolls Instagram page. Each creature is one of a kind and all proceeds will go to NicaLove. Unfortunately, we will not be open for live classes until September, so look for the creatures in the lobby when we get back in studio!

Read more about NicaLove here.
Deven the Leo and Leo the Lion
Gwen and Gwen the Bunny
Steven surrounded by new creature friends
We Are Here for You!

Please let us know if you have any feedback and questions by emailing us and connecting with us on social media (links at the bottom of this message).

Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (CDC) for detailed information on COVID-19.
ABOUT O2 YOGA... 
O2 Yoga provides students a place to grow in their practice, to be challenged, to work towards goals, and to be part of a community. Our Astanga-inspired, athletic, vinyasa classes all build on a theme — every month, a specific focus inspires our teachers' unique sequences — which gives students the chance to learn more about a posture or major tenet of the practice. Every teacher at our studio has gone through Mimi’s 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training Program, so the O2 style shines through in every class. Can't get enough O2? Visit o2yoga.com for more information on the studio, and always feel free to email us with questions at info@o2yoga.com.
O2 Yoga Studio

288 Highland Avenue
Near Porter and Davis Squares
Somerville, MA 02143