FAQ
Alma. Come in. Let go.
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How do I book into a class?
The first step is to create an Alma Studio account through our Alma Studio App. Class bookings can be made via our website here, or our Alma Studio app here. We suggest the app.
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Call us if you have any issues with booking.
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Please arrive at least 5 minutes before class is due to start. If you have not arrived on time, your place may be allocated to a waiting client.
Please arrive at the studio 15 minutes before your first class to familiarise yourself with the studio and sign the waiver form.
Reception is closed on Sunday's meaning the door is locked on start time.
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What do I bring to a Yoga class?
1. Comfortable Yoga / activewear is recommended. No socks for yoga classes.
2. Please bring a Yoga mat and for heated classes a towel. If you don’t have a mat or towel, mats and special grip towels are available for hire for $2. Mats and other Yoga accessories are available to purchase from reception.
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What do I bring to a Reformer Pilates class?
1. Comfortable activewear clothing is recommended.
2. Bring a drink bottle - there is a filtered water station in the chill zone.
3. Grippy socks are required in all Reformer classes (except HIIT) for safety and hygiene. These are available to purchase from reception.
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What facilities are available?
Thoughtfully designed with your comfort in mind, our amenities include an accessible bathroom with a toilet and shower, female changing area (with toilets, showers and Dyson hair dryers), male changing area (with toilets and showers), and cubby's for belongings. We also provide a filtered water refilling station and complimentary loose-leaf tea.
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What do I need to know ahead of my first visit?
Register in advance for class via our website here, or our Alma Studio App here. Sign up for our intro offer any 3 classes for $50 (valid for 2 weeks, locals only).
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If you need help choosing your first class, review our class descriptions here or contact us directly for advice. We welcome everyone from beginners to experienced practitioners.
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Please arrive at the studio 15 minutes before your first class to familiarise yourself with the studio and sign the waiver form.
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Wear comfortable and breathable clothing. For Reformer Pilates, please wear grippy socks (available for purchase) and for Yoga please bring a mat & towel (available for hire / purchase).
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Contact details and studio location can be found here.
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Please turn off / silence mobile phones.
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Where is the studio located?
The studio is located at 17 Joll Road (Level 1), Havelock North, see detail here. To enter Alma, go down the laneway and take the lift or stairs up to Level 1.
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Where can I park?
Parking is free in Havelock North, (P60, P120 and P180). Please see this map here for further detail. We appreciate that at peak times, you may be unable to find a park right outside the studio. However, within a 5 minute walk to the studio you should find plenty of options.
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What are the opening hours?
The studio is open for classes from approximately 6am-7pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday, Sunday mornings.
There will be someone on reception taking calls and any walk-ins during:
Monday 6:45am-1pm
Tuesday 6:45am-1pm
Wednesday 6:45am-1pm
Thursday 6:45am-1pm
Friday 6:45am-1pm
Saturday 7:45am-10:30am
Sunday Closed - Please arrive at the studio 10 minutes before your class as the door is locked at class start time.
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How many studio rooms are there?
We have two beautiful, oak-floored studio rooms – the Reformer Pilates Studio and the Yoga Studio. In the Yoga Studio, we host yoga classes, mat pilates and meditation/breathwork. We also have this room available for special workshops and events.
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What classes are available?
Please see classes available on our website here. We offer Reformer Pilates, Yoga and Mat Pilates. There are a range of class types to suit anyone from beginners to more experienced practitioners.
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Is the Yoga Room heated?
The Yoga Room has infrared heating, to provide a comfortable and even heat that will be felt across the room. Only some Yoga classes are heated, and when you book it will be clear whether it is a heated class. Classes are heated to 28-32 degrees depending on the teacher, resulting in a comfortable temperature to allow the body to stretch safely and aid detoxification.
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What Pilates classes can I take if I'm pregnant?
For Pilates, we have a Pregnancy and Postnatal Reformer class. If you're new to reformer or just want a refresh, we also recommend a private / duet prenatal Reformer Pilates with our instructor who is qualified in prenatal Pilates. There are also a few studios we can recommend who offer physiotherapist-led pre and postnatal classes.
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If you have been regularly practising Pilates, you can continue attending Align classes with modifications. Please consult your health professional prior to attending classes, and notify the instructor so they can modify movements for you.
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What Yoga classes can I take if I am pregnant?
If you have a strong yoga practice for more than 2 years prior to falling pregnant, you are welcome to attend any of our Yoga classes, with the understanding that you will tell the teacher you are pregnant. Ensure you observe all directions regarding not laying flat on your back, only doing open twists, and using assistance for balancing poses.
.If you have been practicing Yoga for less than 2 years, or, do not feel very confident in your practice, we are happy to have you in any of our Yoga classes up until 12 weeks.
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Please consult your health professional prior to attending classes, and notify the instructor so they can modify movements for you.
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What classes can I take postnatally?
We advise exercise clearance from your health professional and pelvic floor specialist, before attending Alma classes postnatally.
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For Reformer Pilates, we advise booking into a private session before attending classes, and then easing back into it with our slower-paced Align Reformer classes.
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For Yoga, once you have obtained medical clearance, if you have a strong Yoga practice that has been part of your life for more than 2 years prior to pregnancy, and you kept up with your practice during your pregnancy, then you can get back into your practice with any of our classes. Easing in would be highly recommended, with some slower Level 1 or Beginner Yoga classes, or our Pregnancy Yoga class. For those who are just coming to Yoga postnatally - we recommend waiting until at least 3 months postpartum to start your Yoga journey.
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Studio etiquette?
Timing: Please arrive at least 5 minutes before class.
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Phones: We believe in disconnecting to reconnect. We ask that you keep all phones in the lockers provided and on silent when in the studio.
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Shoes: Please leave shoes in the cubby's provided, as you won’t require these for classes.
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Socks: For Yoga classes, no socks. For pilates classes, grippy socks are required for all classes except HIIT.
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Hygiene: Please wipe down your mat or reformer carriage after class. Spray bottles and towels are provided.
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Illness: Please do not come to the studio if you are feeling sick, even the mildest symptoms should keep you away from Alma. Alma is a house of wellness, let’s keep it that way.
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Do you have an age limit?
We welcome guests aged 13 or over. All students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guardian or parent who attends class with them. All students under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian sign our Terms and Conditions and our Liability Waiver on their behalf.
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Illness protocols?
Please do not attend the studio if you are unwell or feel you may be getting sick. This is especially important if you are coughing, sneezing, have a sore throat or other respiratory symptoms.
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Do not attend the studio if you are self-isolating due to Covid-19 (yourself or a household contact).
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Please contact us if you have returned a positive test and attended the studio recently.
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Please sanitise your hands before and after class. We have professional cleaning protocols in place for the entire studio including all props and high touch point surfaces. Please clean equipment after use.
If you are unwell and unable to make your class, please call or email the studio to let them know. We do not charge for sickness or injuries. This will also allow us to open your spot to someone else!
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Can I bring my children to Alma whilst I attend a class?
To maintain a serene environment for your practice, Alma Studio operates as a kid-free zone. Children under 12 are not permitted in the studio. Our reception team are not able to supervise children while you attend your class.
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Can I practice with an injury?
Please seek advice from your health professional before attending Alma. Once you’ve had medical clearance, please notify us of your injury before attending class.
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We also recommend arriving early and advising your teacher so they can best support you and give you personalized advice. The most important advice is to listen to your body and not push the limit. We advise all levels classes whilst you're managing your injury.
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We offer private Pilates and yoga sessions which may be more suitable as you work through your injuries.
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How much does a class cost?
We have a range of pricing options to suit all customers (details here), including casual, concession and membership options.
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Membership T&C's?
Our memberships have super flexible T&Cs, see more detailed information here.
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If you hold a Membership, your Membership will be automatically renewed at the conclusion of the Membership duration. Memberships are billed upfront every month. You are free to cancel your Membership at any time, giving at least 7 days notice prior to your next payment date. Should you give notice of cancellation with less than 7 days until your next payment date, you will still be charged for the next month. No refunds are payable on any fees which have been paid by you for your Membership.
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Please contact the studio if you wish to cancel or change your Membership.
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For Membership suspensions we require notification in advance in writing (via email).
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We have a minimum suspension period of 14 days and a maximum of 3 months.
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Casual class and concessions T&Cs?
Our 5 class packs are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.
Our 10 class packs are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Our casual classes are valid for 1 month from the date of purchase.
Our casual classes and class packs are non-refundable.
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Cancellation policies?
You can change or cancel your class bookings in your app or via email up to 12 hours before the start of the class. If you cancel within 12 hours, customers with class packs or casual classes will forfeit class credit used to book that class. Unlimited members will not be charged a late cancellation fee unless the class is waitlisted.
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If you late cancel there are options to avoid losing your class entirely. Swap on the same day to another class without a charge, or change to another day within the week for a $5 swap. You must call or email to make these changes.
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Unfortunately we cannot assess late cancellation fees on a case by case basis, and all late cancel fees will be applied.
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At Alma, we genuinely believe in promoting our community’s health and wellness, and for that reason we very strongly advise you to not come to the studio if you are unwell. Should you need to cancel your class within the 12 hour cancellation period, please give us a call or email and we will waive the fee associated with the late cancellation. We reserve the right to use our discretion in waiving said fees.
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Events/workshops have a 48 hour cancellation policy.
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How does the waitlist work?
If your preferred class is full, you are welcome to join the waitlist. If a space becomes available you will be automatically added to the class and notified by email (if it is more than 12 hours before the class starts). If you are added to the class with less than 12 hours before the class please ensure you check the app, we will try our best to text or call you if you have been added. The waitlist locks 60 minutes before class to ensure anyone who is given a place has a reasonable opportunity to get to the studio on time.
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Retail Returns?
Alma will accept returns of unopened, unused and undamaged products for full refund, or will exchange for a different product within 14 days of purchase.
Please note that if a product has been opened, used, or damaged no refund or exchange will be possible.