YYoga to close two locations in Vancouver and Toronto due to COVID-19 impact

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      One of Canada’s largest corporate-owned yoga studio chains is shrinking in size as a result of the economic downturn during the pandemic.

      Vancouver-based YYoga, which had 12 locations in B.C. and Ontario, announced on July 27 that it is closing two of its studios, one in Vancouver and the other in Toronto.

      “We won’t sugar coat it: COVID has had drastic impacts on our business,” the company stated.

      While the yoga chain has taken several steps, including introducing live-streaming classes and reopening nine of its studios with safety measures in place,

      In Vancouver, the South Granville studio is being closed because the current WorkSafeBC restrictions “do not make it safe or feasible to re-open”.

      This studio, located at 1627 West Broadway, also offered cardio and YRide spin classes.

      The latter are no longer being offered at the North Shore location. While it isn’t being offered at the downtown location due to lack of physical distancing, it is being used for filming for live streaming.

      While the location will no longer be a YYoga studio, the company is considering it as a potential space for its head office team to operate from.

      Meanwhile in Toronto, the chain will close its Harbourfront studio at 350 Queens Quay West.

      YYoga states that the location “has been slow to build due to its location” and that they haven’t been able to reach an agreement with the landlord for reopening. The closure is effective immediately.

      In addition, YYoga said that the Ontario government has not yet provided information on when it can reopen its Queen Street West location.

      Those who primarily attended either location can contact YYoga by August 5 to find out what options are available.

      Live-stream classes on Zoom have been extended until August 31 as classes shift to YYoga at Home.

      After member accounts were placed on hold during closures, all B.C. memberships will be reactivated on September 1.

      Yyoga was cofounded in 2007 by Nettwerk Music Group CEO Terry McBride.

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook.

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