Blog

Our New Normal: Re-Opening at Elle

This week marks the return to some semblance of life before Covid hit in March of this year. For the past three months, the bustling hallways of yoga students, therapy clientele, and clinicians came to a dramatic halt. Everyone retreated home to makeshift offices and what was hopefully a secure Wifi connection.

As therapists, we often discuss the importance of adaptation in a world we can not predict or control. We certainly put that into practice in the early weeks of transition and then sought to maintain the adjustment. Because health and safety has always been a priority, we are in this for the long haul. 

For us, phase 1 was a retreat to virtual. Phase 2 was the new membership program in our studio and a hybrid calendar of virtual and in person yoga classes that promote rest and self-care. Phase 3 is the return of our beloved massage therapists  and acupuncturist. Sarah and Kendall are so welcomed back, the tension in my shoulders eases just thinking about it. In many ways, Erica has been here for us all along with her virtual offerings, but the transition back to the table is a sigh of relief. We also look forward to the return of our personalized self care sessions led by Katie and Kristen on July 1st. All of these services speak to the healing power of touch. So, we have carefully implemented new guidelines for protecting against Covid. 

Phase 4 will be a gradual one, with the return of our mental health therapists and registered dietitian. We are sensitive to our clients coping with anxiety and health concerns. We have all come to realize that our calendars too will become a hybrid of in person clientele and virtual sessions. And we are appreciative to everyone who adapted right alongside us. 

It has been humbling to not only sustain our business during these times, but to expand. At the beginning of July, we welcome a new therapist, Katie Llewellyn. She will be accepting new clients, open to both in person and virtual sessions as she builds her new full time practice with us. To make a career shift in the midst of a pandemic is a fierce move and why she will fit in just perfectly. 

We can not return to Elle without acknowledging the fiercest movement of them all: Black Lives Matter. As a business whose mission is to empower others to reach their fullest potential and strive for self actualization, we realize that the capability to pursue and live out one’s own purpose is still a privilege and not yet a right in the world in which we live. This is why we invite our clientele to be a part of the conversation of Confronting Privilege-a socially conscious awareness group kicking off this summer and being maintained quarterly. All proceeds from those participating will be donated to the Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund, connecting Black women and girls with mental health professionals across the country who provide high quality, culturally competent services with financial assistance.

We remain optimistic and hopeful for a summer of change and health awareness, especially in our beloved Milwaukee community. And we look forward to seeing you soon.