'Re-Open' Way Yoga

HURON — The pandemic placed a business, specializing in health and well-being, in a difficult position from which to recover. This past year, the aftereffects of COVID-19 forced Open Way Yoga to permanently close two-thirds of its storefronts: in Sandusky and Norwalk. And its leftover location — 607 Main St., Huron — remained closed, as classes transitioned to a virtual-only platform. But with cases trending down, deaths declining, restrictions easing up and vaccines rolling on a widespread basis, Open Way's management team felt confident enough about welcoming people back inside its building. The grand reopening takes place on March 27. "Opening and operating just one studio is exciting for us," according to a statement from co-owners Brian Henderson and Shannon Thomas. They noted how Open Way will both bring back in-person classes and continue offering virtual sessions as well. People can check the company's social networking pages for booking information, class types, schedules and other specifics. "We'll be able to spend more time on the parts of the business we love: teaching, doing yoga, loitering about the studio, being creative and less time doing the things we didn't care for so much," their statement read. Clients, however, can expect some substantial changes. For starters, people must pre-register for classes and simply can't just "drop-in" as they did before. Additionally, people must bring in their own props, such as yoga mats and blankets. "We are all very much looking forward to seeing your faces," their statement read. The two underscored how yoga, breathing exercises and other practices taught at Open Way can help people cope through stresses brought on by COVID-19. "As a culture, we are experiencing collective trauma and the nervous system support that comes from yoga's breathing and movement practices are a direct and impactful way to minimize the harm of stress," their statement read. "We need community to thrive and the combination of movement and personal connection has always been what we are all about at Open Way Yoga."