COVID-19/Health Updates from Jody

November 1, 2024

Cases of Covid continue to pop up, as do cases of the flu, strep throat and other contagious illnesses. If you feel sick, please have the courtesy of rescheduling your appointment - you will not be charged a cancelation fee for illness. Please consult with Jody to determine the healthiest time to reschedule. Masks are no longer mandated but are absolutely acceptable. Jody will continue to wear her mask during session.

December 22, 2021

We are now requiring proof of vaccination to receive services and our mask mandate remains in effect. We appreciate your compliance in our effort to mitigate transmission and keep our community healthy.

July 31, 2021

Unfortunately, due to the rise in Covid19 cases in the area, we will be following CDC guidelines and reinstating mask protocols for ALL clients, regardless of vaccination status. New Haven County is classified as a substantial risk area and breakthrough cases, while rare, have been documented. As such, we will be enforcing mask usage in the studio to protect all of our clients. We continue to be lenient with our 24-hour cancellation policy. If you do not feel well or have any symptoms consistent with Covid19, we ask that you reschedule with no penalty. As always, it is a priority at Imagine Wellness for our clients to feel safe and comfortable.

Additionally, the online scheduler remains turned OFF until further notice. Please text (203)710.6757 for the fastest service. You can also send an e-mail to jclouse@imaginewellnessmassage.com or leave a voicemail. We strive to return e-mails and calls within 24 hours.

June 8, 2021

Great news! We will be lifting the mask protocol for verified vaccinated clients on June 21, 2021. Of course, if you would like your therapist to be masked, she will be happy to do so. She is also happy to show you her own proof of vaccination on request. We are also being lenient with our 24-hour cancellation policy. If you do not feel well or have any symptoms consistent with Covid, we ask for you to reschedule with no penalty.

As always, it is a priority at Imagine Wellness for our clients to feel safe and comfortable.

Also, the online scheduler is currently turned OFF until further notice. Please text (203)710-6757 for the fastest service. You can also send an e-mail to jclouse@imaginewellnessmassage.com or leave a voicemail at the number above.

February 27, 2021

It looks like with vaccine rollouts and winter coming to a slow end, the COVID19 positivity rate in CT has been steadily dropping. That means we're preparing to reopen! Appointments will be available starting on Monday, March 22nd. We will be opening the online schedule soon, but right now, all appointments need to be scheduled directly with Jody. You can do this via text (easiest and fastest) or phone at 203.710-6757 or e-mail at jclouse@imaginewellnessmassage.com.

We're Moving! New Location!

In bigger news, Imagine Wellness will be moving to an exciting new space in the Erector Square Art Studio building in New Haven. Erector Square is an industrial warehouse complex which originally housed the factory for making Erector Set toys, invented locally by A.C. Gilbert. It now houses artists, architects, yoga, massage and various other creative studios. The space itself is an experience all on its own! Erector Square is easily accessible off of exit 7 on I-91 and has ample free parking right outside the door. We are aiming for an April opening in the New Haven location - full details are forthcoming. Your safety remains our priority and we will not open the new location until we are sure all COVID protocols are being met and exceeded.

The Cheshire location will remain open through the end of April as we transition into the new space. I hope you’ll all come check out the new location and support our reopening!

January 19, 2021

Unfortunately, the number of COVID19 cases continues to be elevated and new more contagious variants are spreading. At the same time, many people are experiencing quarantine fatigue and are making riskier choices that are not in the best interest of health/safety standards. These factors inform my decisions and I do not feel that I can ethically or safely treat clients at the studio at this time. As vaccinations become accessible to the general population, I hope to see case numbers begin to drop. I will continuously monitor state and local data and will reopen when deemed safe. Keep an eye on the website for updates.

Please stay safe and healthy!

December 11, 2020

Due to the skyrocketing number of COVID19 cases in Connecticut, as of December 13th, we will be CLOSED indefinitely. Our plan is to re-evaluate the situation by January 19th. FDA approval of vaccines is an encouraging development, but until we are able to ensure the safety of our clients, our decisions to remain closed or to begin another reopening process will be made based on Connecticut's numbers. Please know that when the decision to reopen is made, all sanitization protocols will be followed stringently.

That being said, this plan will remain flexible and subject to other changes outside of our control and will be updated as needed.

Stay healthy and I look forward to seeing you soon!

October 29, 2020

As of today, October 29th, 2020, our hours will remain Monday and Tuesday mornings, Wednesday nights and alternating Friday mornings. However, due to increasing infection numbers in the state, only clients currently on file will be seen at this time.

In addition, we will be CLOSED for the two weeks following Thanksgiving from November 26th through December 13th. At that time, we will reassess the infection rate and hopefully reopen with the above protocols in place.

That being said, this plan will remain flexible and subject to other changes outside of my control. Here is the important part: if you don't see an available appointment slot that works for you on the online calendar, please contact me! I will do my best to shuffle things around to get you in!

Stay healthy and I look forward to seeing you soon!

September 1, 2020

As you know, things change daily in light of the pandemic. This is true for individuals, schools and businesses alike. I appreciate your understanding as we navigate this together and as I work to provide the needed relief for all of you!

As of September 1, I will be accepting new clients.

Due to school schedules, my hours will be changing. I will be taking clients most Monday and Tuesday mornings, Wednesday nights and alternating Friday mornings. That being said, this plan will remain flexible and subject to other changes outside of my control. Here is the important part: if you don't see an available appointment slot that works for you on the online calendar, please contact me! I will do my best to shuffle things around to get you in!

Stay healthy and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Update: July 29, 2020

Imagine Wellness is ready to welcome you back! You have been missed these past few months and I hope you have been staying safe and healthy. During this stay safe, stay home period, I’m happy to report that I’ve used my time wisely and have obtained my national certificate in Sports Massage through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). I am looking forward to sharing these new skills with you (even if you’re not an athlete)!

During the re-opening phase, beginning August 3rd, the studio will be operating at reduced hours and I will not be taking new clients until I begin adding hours to the schedule. As of now, the following hours will be available to returning clients:

Monday or Friday: 9:00am-10:00am or 11:00am-12:00pm

Wednesday: 5:00pm-6:00pm or 7:00pm to 8:00pm

The online booking system should be updated with the new hours in the next few days. In the meantime, please text (203)710-6757 to make an appointment.

There are a number of new protocols that will be required when you come for your appointment along with a new screening process. Imagine Wellness will strictly follow all state guidelines as well as those set forth through professional massage organizations. I take your health seriously and I respectfully request that you honor that commitment by following all protocols. In the spirit of keeping all my clients healthy, there will be no exceptions.

What I’ll be doing:

Scheduling extra time between clients for sanitization purposes
Keeping a sterile environment (the room will look different, but the care remains the same)
A HEPA/UVC air filter has been added to the room and when possible, windows will remain open
Wearing PPE: I will be wearing a face shield, mask, and scrub top during your session and a mask at all times while in the studio. I will wear gloves on your request - do not hesitate to ask!
I am in the process of setting up biweekly CV-19 testing for myself and will begin once I get approval
Taking my temperature daily and will gladly do this in your presence
Watching the state numbers and CV-19 information very closely and will make decisions to remain open or close down based on epidemiological recommendations
Eliminating heat therapies and cupping services for the time being
Due to the risk of clotting in CV-19 patients, if you have at any point tested positive for CV-19, I will be refusing service - unfortunately this includes past positives even if you are currently negative.
The restroom will be open to clients, but I ask that the “lobby” only be used while waiting for the restroom,

What is new for you:

You will complete a CV19 specific intake prior to each appointment
If you have traveled to a high risk state (in accordance with state law) in the 14 days prior to your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule
Depending on your intake answers and risk factors in your unique history, I reserve the right to deny massage services
When you arrive to your appointment, you will call or text from your car
When you arrive inside the studio, you will go directly into the treatment room for intake
A mask will be required at all times while in the studio - this includes the full duration of your session and must cover your mouth and nose
If you don’t have a mask of your own, you can purchase a disposable mask for a small fee (at cost)
Your temperature will be taken prior to your massage
At the conclusion of the session, you will be asked to complete payment and any rescheduling while still in the treatment room.
If you feel you cannot meet these guidelines, please keep an eye out for changes as new information is considered - schedule when the guidelines become comfortable for you
Speak up if you’d like me to wear gloves during the session and/or with any additional supports I can add to make you more comfortable

Things may look different, and even slightly uncomfortable (I’ve seen what I look like in PPE! Ha!), but one thing remains the same: Imagine Wellness is, and always will be, committed to doing what is best for you and your health. Thank you for your understanding during this time and I can’t wait to see you in the studio!

Update: June 8, 2020

As always, Imagine Wellness cares first and foremost about your health. I am watching the latest information carefully and planning on a tentative reopening date of August 1, 2020. While massage therapy is slated as part of the phase II reopening in CT, there are still health and safety risks that I am not ready to take until learning more. Because I am eager to return to my work and calling, I often need to remind myself that just because I am *able* to reopen, does not mean it is safe to do so. This decision is meant to protect you, my invaluable clients, as well as my own immunocompromised family members.

Be aware that if you have circulatory concerns, massage may not be the right choice for you until we know more about the coagulopathy (clotting problems) issues that relate to COVID-19. I have included a link below that outlines some of the concerns that may arise that are specific to massage therapy as well as a link to the most current CDC information. While my intention is not fear, we must remember that massage is, by its very nature, extremely close contact for an extended amount of time.

Coagulopathy and Massage Concerns
"Can you have coagulopathy and not have obvious symptoms? Yes."

CDC Information
"The primary and most important mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through close contact from person-to-person."

Know that sanitization has always been a priority, but that I will be adding extra cleaning measures between clients and will be eliminating hot stone, cupping and heat therapies for the time being. Before opening, I will ensure a sufficient supply of proper PPE is available. Please be on the look out for another e-mail detailing the protocols that all clients will be required to follow.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we navigate this together. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you soon!

​