Coach House Studio

Since starting Cumbria Directory, I have been interacting with quite a lot of health and wellbeing businesses. One such business is Coach House Studio based in Appleby. This business spotlight feature describes their journey from purchasing the building to where they are now.

Can you tell us about your business and how it got started?

Coach House Studio came about after we bought a building with an empty ground floor space, and the man we bought it from mentioned it would make a great Yoga Studio & then the idea grew into reality. We both (my partner) and I gutted the whole space, even digging up the existing floor to lower it and install underfloor heating ourselves. We found lots of local reclaimed and new materials and did the majority of all the work ourselves.

I was teaching yoga at many various locations at the time and spending more time travelling than teaching, so having our own studio made more sense, plus we felt it was great for Appleby.

What inspired you to open your business in Cumbria?

We live here in Appleby, and the Yoga Studio building is in our courtyard, plus we feel ‘yoga and holistic wellbeing’ was a much needed resource for the town.

What makes your business unique compared to others in your industry?

We have a unique studio, that offers a warm, welcoming and friendly environment. We are fully open and inclusive for everyone and offer many supportive practices and therapies for people to deepen their understanding of yoga and holistic healing.

What products or services do you offer, and who are they for?

We have a wide variety of classes, including yoga, Barre, Pilates and fitness classes. Vinyasa Yoga for people looking for an energetic flow or Chill Yoga & guided meditation for anyone looking to relax and release stress & tension.

We also run workshops, events, women’s circles, yoga teacher training, cacao ceremonies using our own brand ‘Coach House Cacao’

Our new therapy room offers Reiki, Sound Therapy, Reflexology, Shamanic Healing, Tarot and oracle card reading plus so much more.

1-2-1 Yoga, Pilates and Holistic Health Coaching sessions are offered by myself, for people looking to recover from injuries, or they want a specific need met.

Are there any particular items or services that your customers love the most?

I find people love our 6.30am Power Barre class. And our sound healing or sound baths.

How do you ensure quality in what you offer to your customers?

Quality over quantity is one of our main objectives, we have limited class/workshop/event numbers on purpose so that everyone gets that personal attention throughout. We feel like we want people to feel surrounded friends as soon as they walk through the door.

How does your business connect with or support the local community?

We try to support local charity’s by donated free class spaces, therapy sessions and use of the studio for events.

We also try to bring a sense of community into everything we do.

What do you love most about being part of the business scene in Cumbria?

Cumbria is a beautiful part of the world and we feel very blessed to live and own a business here.

What has been the most rewarding moment for your business so far?

Seeing the people who come to the studio blossom, grow and develop, learning how to get through tough times with healthy and holistic practices.

What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

Sometimes it’s tough when bookings are low but it’s part of this this type of business and weather etc dictate numbers sometimes. We update the timetable and keep classes fresh and inspiring.

What’s something about your business that customers might not know?

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes. 

What does a typical day look like for you and your team?

Myself or Caroline are in the studio from 6.20am ready for the first class of the day. Then quick clean & tidy up before the 9.30am class. In between classes are time for 1-2-1 clients or therapies. The afternoon I quickly grab something to eat before my next client or catch up on my studies (I am always expanding my knowledge and understanding of many aspects of yoga and holistic healing). Research for class plans and ideas, put together playlists for classes. Then prepare the studio for evening classes, I now teach 2 evening classes a week (so I don’t get burn out), and other instructors have the space the other evenings through the week.

What’s your favourite part of running your business?

I love seeing peoples reactions when they have finished a class or therapy session, they feel renewed, relaxed. The feedback they give and knowing they leave happier and in a restful, peaceful state of being.

Do you have any advice for others looking to start a business in Cumbria?

Cumbria is quite an old fashioned county with many people still not having an open mind for new ideas. It’s tough to open a business that is forward thinking especially when it concerns health, but we feel our ethics to bring empowered wellbeing to Appleby and as definitely the right decision as we feel so passionately about it. If you have enough patience and passion go for it but prepare for the quieter times.

What’s one fun fact about you or your business that people might not expect?

We like to have group get togethers with our customers outside of the studio and we are also planning a group trip to Ibiza in September.

I have really been enjoying these business spotlights and I am excited to release the next few that have been submitted!