Santa Barbara Dojo Reopens With New Safety Measures

In the wake of Covid-19, many gyms and small businesses around town and nationwide closed. We're extremely grateful to say that we're still here.

A huge thank-you goes to everyone who kept us going during this hard time. We couldn't have done it without your support and encouragement. Thank you, too, to the essential workers on the front line who kept our hospitals and grocery stores open. Here's how we're reopening and what has changed.

What's new when you come back

If you've been away, we're excited to welcome you back whenever you're ready. A lot has changed, and we can't wait to show you.

We have smaller class sizes, online class options and a new system for reserving classes. You'll reserve your class ahead of time in our member app, and you'll check yourself in on the app instead of touching a shared tablet. There are no drop-ins or unscheduled trial classes for now, so we always know who's coming and can keep every class small.

We know it's a different way to train, and it may take some getting used to. But the goal is simple: you should be able to walk in, train hard and go home knowing that everyone around you has done their part to keep the dojo safe.

How we keep the mat safe

We believe safety should be visible. When you walk in, you should be able to see the care we've taken. Here's what we put in place:

• Your temperature is checked at the door, and foot traffic moves in one direction, in the front door and out the side door after class.
• You wear a mask until you're on the mat.
• The mat is sectioned off into squares for distancing. Household members may share a square.
• There are no partner drills or shared equipment, except within a household.
• Instructors have their own square and can walk the edges of each square without contact.
• Plexiglass is installed at the front desk, and anti-bacterial stations are installed throughout the dojo.
• You wipe down your area after class, and the dojo closes briefly after each class to clean shared areas.
• Doors stay open and fans run for ventilation.

What to bring, and what to leave at home

Please bring your own water bottle and towel, since there's no shared water spout for now. There are no gloves or bands to borrow, so bring your own bands to Power Fit class. Martial artists should put on their uniforms before coming into the building, and the new cubbies are in the open area.

If you have a fever or any sign of Covid-19, or you've been in contact with someone who might have had symptoms, please train online instead. There's no hanging out before or after class for now, and purchases are made in the member app and picked up at a scheduled time. We may add more measures as we learn, and we appreciate your flexibility.

Answers to common questions

Will there still be online classes? Yes. Online classes are on the schedule, and you can join them through our member app.

Do I have to wear a mask? Yes, whenever you're in the common areas. Health officials recommend masks even while exercising, but that isn't mandatory on the mat.

Will instructors wear masks? Instructors wear masks while walking around or greeting students. When they're teaching from their own square, they may take them off so you can hear and understand them clearly.

Is there a waiting list if a class is full? Yes, through the member app. Instructors for each class are listed there, too, and a guide to reserving classes is on its way to current students.

These changes ask a lot of everyone, and we know it. We made them because we want every student to train with confidence and every family to feel safe walking through our door. We're so glad to be back on the mat with you.

If you've been training at home, thank you for sticking with it. Whether you return in person right away or keep training online for a while, you're still part of this dojo family, and we're here for you either way.

Have questions or want to learn more? Contact us using the form below, and we'll be glad to help.