Coronavirus Response and Plan

Coronavirus Response at ABADA-Capoeira Bronx

Update April 2, 2020

“…Ginga is a graceful approach to everyday situations. It’s the capacity to improvise solutions and make things look easy even under rough conditions.”

Dear ACBX family, 

This difficult time in New York City (and around the world) is helping us put into practice so much of what Capoeira nurtures in us; empathy, solidarity, cooperation, adaptability, improvisation, resilience. 
Adapting to the drastic changes brought upon us, we are glad to have found a solution to stay connected and continue to see you all in class, for the interim, online via Zoom.

Together, in solidarity, we will get through this and soon we will train Capoeira, in person, sharing human warmth in community.

As we continue to adapt to the changes and navigate new processes, please be patient with us. Thank you for believing in ACBX. Thank you for having us in your thoughts and your continued support. 

Sending love and light your way. Please stay home and healthy. 
Jennifer, Prof. Coco and the ACBX team

Update March 16, 2020

Dear ACBX family, 

We have made the difficult decision to close the ACBX studio starting Tuesday, March 17.  Our goal is to assess the situation on March 30, to determine how we move forward.

In the last couple of weeks, we drastically increased our cleaning and disinfecting process throughout the studio. We also modified our class protocols and norms in accordance with the recommendations of the CDC and health experts. As the Coronavirus crisis continues to rapidly change, we want to proactively cooperate with the experts’ advice to minimize social interaction, avoid mass transportation and stay home. 

Not coming to the studio does not mean Capoeira stops! In fact, now more than ever, the practice of capoeira will be needed! It is important to be attentive to the situation but also to take time to focus your mind and energy on something that brings you joy.  

So much of what Capoeira gives us is rooted in interaction with our peers/friends, thus virtual learning is not something that we condone as we feel that it jeopardizes the essence of the art form. However, Capoeira also teaches us cooperation, flexibility and improvisation and this is certainly a time where we must put these into action. It is for this reason that we have decided to create a series of online videos and resources for our students (and parents) to have during this time.  

Here’s an Overview of our Plan for Students:

For ACBXKIDS: 

• A series of videos and tutorials will be uploaded to our Youtube channel. We will create playlists and videos will be grouped by class. 
• Parents will receive an email with general guidelines on how to use and how to assist your child while watching/practicing at home. The videos will be recorded this week and parents will receive an email, along with a private link to our online videos by Friday 3/20/20

For ADULTS Capoeira Students: 
Prof. Coco will host the following classes via online, using Zoom

• Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30pm: students orange cords and up
• Wednesdays 6:30pm: Beginners (no cord/natural cord, natural-yellow, yellow, yellow-orange cord)
• Adult students must download the free Zoom app. Click here.

No Virtual Online Offering/Resource for these Classes:

• West African Dance, Saturdays 2pm
• Capoeira adults, Saturdays 12:15pm

Paint Night Fundraising Event is Rescheduled for May 2. for a later date (update April 2, 2020).
In light of the situation, we are rescheduling our upcoming fundraiser.
In addition to the concerns around our health and the general public, we are also highly concerned about the negative financial impact this will have on ACBX. 

Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Please be safe and healthy. And reach out should you have any questions/concerns.
We are grateful for our Capoeira family and remain confident that this shall pass.

 – Team ACBX

 

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Update March 13 2020
Dear ACBX family, 

We are very attentive to the rapidly changing state of the coronavirus health crisis. As a community, ACBX is diligently taking preventive measures aligned with the recommendations of the NYC Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

As such, you will see an increased level of cleaning, disinfecting and new protocols in our classes. These are the precautionary measures we are taking in the studio:

• Students are asked to wash their hands before and after class (and in between at any point during class). We ask that anyone that enters the studio – parents included – wash their hands
• Customary in Capoeira, we encourage students to shake hands before and after a capoeira game – this is a sign of camaraderie. In the interim, students are being asked to “fist bump” or “elbow bump” in lieu of shaking hands
• If you have martial arts shoes, only used for indoor (not used outside on the street) you are welcome to wear them during class
  Here are some examples of shoes that can be purchased on Smile.Amazon.com: KungFu Shoes, Lutai 
• Hand sanitizers are available for use in the studio
• Disinfecting solution is used frequently throughout the day and after each class session to wipe down surface areas, such as seating, door knobs/handles, light switches, handrails etc. 
• Signs with proper hand washing protocol and reminders of the preventive actions are posted in the studio 
• Paper towels to dry your hands are available in the bathrooms (instead of cloth hand towels) until further notice
• We are minimizing the use of equipment and props such as mats, blocks, kicking pads etc. If used, they are disinfected right after
• Instruments are being disinfected daily
• Front area seating cushions and yoga blankets have been removed for now

We are asking students and visitors to please follow these precautionary steps carefully: 

• If you feel under the weather or sick, do not come to the studio. Visit your doctor if you feel any symptoms, including coughing fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or upper respiratory issues.  If you begin to cough in class, cover your mouth with a tissue (not your hands) or your shirt. Wash your hands, wash your shirt thoroughly after.
  Please consider sending us an email to let us know you’ll miss class: frontdesk@acbx.org
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Wash your uniform after each class (as you should, always!) 
• Wash your hands with soap thoroughly for 20 seconds upon arriving in the studio and after you finish class and/or as frequently as you’d like
  
  To learn more about how to protect yourself and others,
  visit CDC.gov/coronavirus

Please continue to be attentive to emails from ACBX Team being sent to students and families, as we will maintain constant communication with all.

We support your decision on which activities you choose to participate in, during these challenging times. And reinforce, the imperative to please stay home if you don’t feel well.
ACBX remains open (as of March 13). We welcome students to continue to train as long as they adhere to the precautionary guidelines stated above.

Many thanks,
ACBX Team