Our Ethos
Whether your focus is on building strength, flexibility and balance, increasing fitness or learning to switch off, relax and soften, we hope that you will find it here. Our ethos is a realistic, sustainable practice that will help you to move more easily, sleep more deeply, cultivate self acceptance, reduce stress/anxiety and navigate what life throws your way.
About us
This studio was founded by my sister, Jennie Meehan, in July 2013 and I became Manager/Director in February 2014.
At the time, I had two children under three, an admin job, and no experience of running a business. I’d never even been to a yoga class. I was over 16 stone, a heavy smoker and drinker, and completely out of my depth. I came to yoga in the most back-to-front way possible.
In the early years, Jennie taught and I managed. I made it my business to attend classes at least once a day. This was invaluable to me as it taught me what to do and what not to do as a teacher. Gradually, 4 years in, I began teaching the odd class too. Eventually what started as a poorly thought-out attempt at a studio, with limited offerings and frankly very little appeal, slowly evolved. Over time, it became what it is now: welcoming, warm, human, beginner-friendly, non-judgemental, supportive and realistic. Not just yoga and Pilates, but community and connection too.
In November 2021, we lost Jennie very suddenly to breast cancer. I was devastated but, with absolute clarity, I knew I would work harder than ever; not just to keep the studio open, but to keep moving towards the vision we had all those years ago.
I am so proud of what we built together. This studio is not like other studios. It’s foundations are my family’s love, humour and warmth. Over a decade of joy, love and loss, of beginnings and endings, friendships, self discovery, and growth are embedded in these walls.
I feel incredibly privileged to still be here, sharing my days with all of the amazing people who make this their home studio and witnessing the positive impact yoga, Pilates and community have on their lives, from the women coming to Pregnancy Yoga to the hot yoga and Pilates devotees to the 80+ year olds in Chair Yoga and everyone else in between. This is more than just a hot yoga studio.
Every challenge, every loss, every misstep, every obstacle, everything I got wrong as well as right, led here; to the most special and supportive studio.
I would love for you to be a part of it too as you begin your own journey of health, self care, compassion, awareness, discovery and self acceptance.
I hope Jennie is proud, I know she would have loved it.
Kate
Thoughts on our perfectly imperfect bodies
I’ve run this hot yoga studio for over a decade now, and I wonder if there may still be a perception that hot yoga teachers and students are slim, flexible, young etc. We definitely do have teachers and students that match those descriptions and I love and value them ❤️ But I am not one of those teachers, not everyone here fits into those very narrow descriptions and judgements on appearance (either way) are absolutely not welcome here. Once you come in here you will hopefully feel the truth of that.
Some of the things I hear around weight, appearance, being ‘good enough’ to practice yoga are really jarring to me these days. This is a nice, warm, accepting, supportive, friendly and therapeutic hot yoga studio. Our teachers are genuinely kind, thoughtful women who practice yoga on and off the mat.
Our ethos is a realistic, sustainable practice that will support you to move more easily, sleep more deeply, accept yourself and navigate what life throws your way. Yes we have dynamic, fast yoga classes but we also have slower, softer classes too. This is not a gym, the only thing I want you to do is practice in a way that is right for YOU no matter what that is.
“Absolutely wonderful, inclusive studio, with brilliant support from teachers. Going just once a week does wonders for my health and wellbeing. Couldn’t recommend highly enough.”
-Helen
If you want to get started but feel it isn’t for you due to ‘not having a yoga body’ then contact me and I’ll talk you through what classes are good to start with, what to wear and bring, etc. Once you get over the front door and into the studio and you experience the vibe, the acceptance, and you feel your way through a class with us, you may be on your way to a more balanced, happier, accepting life.
Another option is a private, confidence building session. This is a one off session that includes a chat about you and us, being shown around and a 1-2-1 yoga session. It’s £30 or a block 4 is £100.
Being slim or bigger, flexible or inflexible, young or old are never our sole defining characteristics. Yoga is primarily an internal practice, don’t get sidetracked!