In normal times, January is the month when many people enjoy making resolutions for the New Year. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still wreaking havoc in our state and in our world, most people are doing as much as possible from home. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t make resolutions.

    It also doesn’t mean that we can’t support local businesses while trying to keep those resolutions.  Just as we have all had to pivot in our lives since the beginning of the pandemic, Grafton businesses have been pivoting as well. And many of them can help people to keep resolutions from the comfort of home. 

    Currently, one of those businesses can help people reach their fitness goals and non-fitness goals as well. Dance, Soul, Motion, www.dancesoulmotion.com, is an adult Yoga, Barre, Zumba and Pilates studio in South Grafton. In addition to the limited-size classes it holds in its studio, it has two options for people who would prefer to take classes from home. There’s a variety of both live stream classes and on demand classes. The studio has also been holding a special two-part workshop called “Sunday Success: Planning with Intention,” that guides people through goal setting, planning strategies and pivoting when the unexpected happens. The next series is Sunday January 24 and Sunday January 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.    

    For adults, teens and children who want to get fit and express themselves through dance, there are a few Grafton businesses that can help. Virtual dance classes for all ages (including people with special needs) are now registering at Grafton Common-based Beatz Dance Studio, www.beatzdance.com. Virtual dance classes for all ages are also available at North Grafton’s Dance It Up, www.danceitup.com. And virtual Irish dance classes for children and teens can be found at Grafton-Common-based Murphy Academy of Irish Dance, www.murphyacademy.com.

    A North Grafton-based business can also help kids to reach their New Year goals to learn how to play a new instrument. Jack’s Guitar Garage, www.jacksguitargarage.com is a music education center that also has a Northborough site. It offers guitar, bass, piano, drums, ukulele and voice lessons.      

    For kids who want to enhance their creativity through acting, a Grafton Common-based nonprofit has a solution. Apple Tree Arts has been keeping its theatre arts workshop for kids alive through Zoom rehearsals. It’s currently working on “The Show Must Go Online,” a children’s virtual musical. There will even be a performance for a Zoom Watch Party.

    Finally, for people who are interested in learning more about art in 2021, artist Bonnie Frederico’s The Sellar Shop offers a variety of instructional packets for specific projects in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pencil. For more information, people can visit the Grafton studio’s website, www.sellarshop.com.   

    January 2021 may not look like any other January we’ve experienced before. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to make and keep resolutions. This year, it may be more important than ever to keep moving forward.

    Please note that this information was correct at the time the column was written. However, because the pandemic is rapidly changing things, it’s best to check the websites and social media pages of any business to see if new changes have been implemented.

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