How a family business is offering yoga for all ages - inside a former Leeds church
“I promise that whatever class you come to, you will leave feeling a little bit more like yourself”
Inclusive, empowering, and full of heart.
These are the values of every class at family-run yoga studio Love Yoga Leeds.
The business was founded last year by Zoë Baldwin-Jones who had a mission to create an atmosphere where participants of all levels of experience feel welcomed and can enjoy themselves.
“Regardless of your age or ability, you will always be welcomed with a smile,” Zoë told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“We've got all the props, so you don't need to buy anything, you don't need to wear any special clothes.”
Love Yoga Leeds’ studio is based in Chapel House, a former church on Meanwood Road, just a five minute drive from Leeds city centre.
Stained glass windows and high ceilings act as reminders of the Grade II listed building’s history, and Zoë believes the uniqueness has a calming effect on visitors to the studio.
Zoë said: “There’s a feeling in here - I think it’s because of the heritage and history, but there’s a general sort of lightness to the building.
“When you walk in, the light pours through the stained-glass windows and there's kind of magic. If you're in the right spot, the sun literally drenches the yoga mat.”
Zoë created Love Yoga Leeds last year, after a decade working in PR and marketing.
The 42-year-old’s interest in the mindfulness practice began with watching Spice Girls star Geri Horner’s Geribody VHS, however, when she grew older, she felt uncomfortable attending in-person classes.
“I felt so out of place and so, so intimidated,” Zoë said.
“I know from personal experience how hard it can be to do something that you've never done. As a complete beginner, it's scary.”
That’s why when she created her own studio, Zoë was determined to make it an environment where every client is "welcomed with a smile” and encouraged to participate in whatever way feels most comfortable to them.
Love Yoga Leeds is a small business which is truly a family affair, with Zoë’s parents Helen and Keith, brother Ben, and her husband Rich, all lending a hand to help run the studio.
Even her two young children, Felix, 11, and Felicity, 9, regularly volunteer to help prepare and tidy equipment.
Zoë said: “It’s literally all hands on deck.
“We’re all involved, and I honestly couldn’t do it without them.”
The foundations of Love Yoga Leeds are built by the support of multiple generations.
Not only this, the studio is also dedicated to be accessible to all age groups with weekly kids classes, and monthly family yoga.
In Zoë’s opinion, inviting kids into the studio enables them to participate in a fun class while boosting their emotional wellbeing.
“One of the big sort of values running within the business which is instrumental is kids' mental health.
“The kids that are coming to us are returning time and time again. The feedback has been amazing.
“We’re always making it fun - we play, like we move our bodies, we do musical statues, I get them to play with the sound bowls. It's really interactive and we just weave in the yoga and the mindfulness.”
Now, with their first contract with a school set to start in September and another exciting announcement on the way later this year, it’s been a busy time for Love Yoga Leeds.
The future is exciting for the business but right now Zoë’s focus is simple: to show just how life-changing mindfulness through yoga can be.
That’s why she encourages anyone and everyone to do something for themselves and try out the practice.
Zoë said: “Whether you go away and you love it, or you're not quite sure, you'll feel positive, having done a little bit of self-care for you.
“I promise that whatever class you come to, you will leave feeling a little bit more like yourself and a little bit more grounded.”