Let me start by saying: suffering is happening for everyone. Even as I write this, I am trembling. Help needs to be had for SO many. I am asking for help and support for wellness because I know our spaces will be needed to fend off the physical and mental health impacts of this prolonged pandemic. Fitness and mindfulness has a clear positive impact on rates of anxiety, depression and disease caused by sedentary lifestyle. Simply, our spaces will be part of the long-term, necessary healing.

It feels so scary to know that years of heart and sacrifice and hard work might fall victim to this COVID crisis. Specifically, with the new round of shut-downs fitness and wellness businesses are being asked to close to help combat the spread of COVID-19. 

Let me be clear: we understand the 'why' behind this ask and we support necessary actions that need to be taken to protect our communities. It is our responsibility to show up for all humans and recognize the down-stream impact of our choices on communities - particularly our frontline workers, elderly and members of the BIPOC community who are disproportionately impacted by COVID. It is our responsibility to call in our community to HIGHER ACTION which mandates that we have everyone's health as a top priority. 

These latest shutdowns though have created impossible binds for many of our businesses. Without government funding, this ask has put many of our businesses, livelihoods and even personal safety at risk. The ask of us to close is clear and understandable. The give to support this action from the government has been non-existent.

As such, we are asking for grants from the government to enable us remain closed for as long as is required to protect public health whilst still being able to sustain for the long-term. Specifically, we are asking for 3-6 months of working capital to be able to sustain payroll, health benefits and fixed overhead costs that remain whether we are open or closed. Additionally, we believe that grants should be made available to all businesses but that minority and female-owned businesses should be prioritized, as there are pre-existing systemic burdens to accessing capital for these groups. This is both a local and nation-wide problem and needs to be responded to accordingly. 

Please sign our petition and share it to get the word out. Please also contact your local representatives and tell them you need wellness spaces to stay.

Washington State Representatives:

Jay Inslee - 360-902-4111

Jenny Durkan - 206-684-4000

National Representative Registry

With Care,

Jamie Silverstein + The Grinning Yogi