new students
latest updates
For all of our latest information please see our STUDIO UPDATES page.
new student advice
We have students of all ages and all walks of life and we strive to make the Shala a safe, nurturing and positive space for everyone who visits. We are a small independent centre, owned, run and staffed by yogis and our mission is to facilitate physical, emotional and spiritual well-being through mind-body practices. One of our priorities has always been to make the Shala a personal, rather than an anonymous, experience. Our class numbers are small relative to commercial centres, and there is a genuine sense of community that has always blossomed in our space. Find out more here about the Shala and scroll down for more information about your first visit.
introductory offer
For new students to the Shala, we have an introductory pass. We encourage you to try a number of classes and find the classes and teachers that suit you best. We also encourage you to establish a regular practice so you can feel the amazing benefits of yoga in a short space of time.
All pricing options can be viewed here. All purchases including intro offer passes, memberships and workshops are non-refundable and series expiration dates are firm.
registering & booking
We welcome new students to stop by and see our space, have a chat and get advice about our classes, workshops, courses and teacher training. It is best to come when classes are not in progress; either 15 minutes before a class or during the week days when we are sometimes at the centre keeping up with admin. Please buzz the Shala intercom (to the right of the door) and come up if you are passing or better still email before visiting to check someone is at the centre. Alternatively if you would like to get some advice by email or phone please get in touch.
We request that all classes are booked and paid for before you come for a class. Our website is fully responsive so you can easily book from your mobile phone – even on your way to the studio! We prefer not to have drop in visitors because we require a complete list of everyone coming in to the building for health and safety reasons and also for studio allocation. If you are having issues with our booking system please let us know and we can book a class for you or help with technical hitches. Our front of house area functions more as a hang-out lounge area than a formal reception with most administrative matters being dealt with online or by email.
If you have an account query, please log in to your Shala account where you can track your schedule, visit history, purchases and account details. If you are unable to resolve it online, please email us.
We have a waiting list for up to ten people per class; classes can get fully booked during peak times but it is unusual for someone not to get a place in the class they would like. If a class is full, add your name to the wait list and an email or text will be sent to you if a space comes free (and you are opted in for notifications on our system); if you are then unable to attend, email us and we will cancel your booking (our 6-hour cancellation policy does not apply to the wait list) or respond to the text to say whether you would like the place or not. We also have text message notifications so if you would like to opt in for those just let us know.
Please note our cancellation window is 6 hours for classes. For workshops, the cancellation window is 72 hours (sometimes longer) please check the terms and conditions on the relevant workshop page. While we do fully appreciate that late cancellations often happen for reasons beyond your control – illness, weather, British Rail (!), childcare, family or other valid reasons – it is impossible for us to administrate and arbitrate late cancellations or to reallocate spaces, so all late cancellations are automatically charged without exception – thank you for understanding. If you have missed the cancellation deadline, please still “late cancel” so that the teacher knows not to expect you. Note that we do not accept cancellations by phone or email; all cancellations must be made via your online account.
finding the shala
The front of our building is marked by our vibrant pink and orange banners on Norwood Road, but our entrance is round the corner at 1 Chestnut Road – look for our orange street sign and the single door on the left of the Harry Day Mews building (pictured left). When you book a class you will receive a confirmation email with essential access information. If for any reason you so not have this, please buzz our intercom to the right of the door. Come up to the third (top) floor. Please note that there is no lift in the building so if you have any mobility issues please ring us to discuss. The centre opens 15 minutes before scheduled classes (ie 6 or 6.15pm in the evenings).
For a location map and information on transport, please see our contact page.
arriving at the shala
When you arrive, please check in at our iPad kiosk (just outside of the Mysore studio) or with your teacher.
If this is your first visit, you might like to contact our team before your first class so that we can show you around virtually or answer questions and ensure you feel welcome.
Please NOTE: we do not always have someone at the front desk, but your teacher will be always be able to assist should you need an orientation or help.
Teachers have the right to refuse entry to students who are late for class so please always arrive 5–10 minutes before your scheduled class and be aware that if you are late you may not be able to gain access to the centre – and if you are too early you may need to wait to get access.
Please be mindful that it is very disruptive for both teachers and students to have late comers to class.
general advice
- avoid strong caffeine and heavy food at least 2 hours before a flow or dynamic oga class
- make sure you are well hydrated and that you rehydrate after class
- wear yoga/sports clothing and bring a small towel if you sweat
- bring your own yoga mat; if you don’t have a mat please see below for more on borrowing a studio mat and cleaning it after use
- rest from flow or dynamic yoga is recommended for people in the heaviest days of their menstrual cycle; if you do wish to practice, you should avoid inverted postures (shoulderstand, headstand etc)
- serious medical conditions or injuries should be discussed with us before booking
- minor medical condition or injuries should be discussed with your teacher before the class, please come 10 minutes early to your first class
- please leave large bags in the changing rooms but take valuables in to the studio with you
- the Shala does not accept liability for theft or damage to personal possessions at the centre
To help ensure everyone has the best experience possible at the Shala please honour the following guidelines. Please also read our Studio Updates page for the latest on Covid protocols and keeping the Shala safe.
- register, book and pay for your classes online
- arrive 5-10 minutes before your class to avoid disrupting classes in progress
- be as quiet as possible on arriving, waiting for class and leaving to avoid disrupting classes
- mute mobile phones and refrain from using them while in the studio
- remove shoes on arrival and place in the shoe rack in reception
- leave belongings in the changing areas and take valuables only to the studio
- be clean of body and perfumes when practicing
- refrain from eating at the studio – we prefer it to be a food-free zone
- in busy classes, move your mat to create space for others where necessary
- Note that teachers have the right to refuse late-comers to class – if you are more than 5 minutes late we request that you do not go into class. Thank you.
choosing a class
We have a range of yoga classes to suit your mood, energy levels and abilities. Our teachers do their best to accommodate various abilities but we recommend trying out a beginners class first unless you have some experience of yoga. The level of the class does vary from teacher to teacher. Each teacher brings their own style to the class so to learn more about a specific class, check the teacher’s biography.
yoga classes
a liberating and versatile practice, which can decompress, strengthen and stretch the whole body, improve circulation, boost digestion and dramatically lift your mood | IN STUDIO
a flowing rhythmic practice with a strong focus on the breath and movement as a form of meditation.
a fresh and uplifting way to start your day in community wherever you are in your ashtanga yoga practice; receive one-on-one tuition and hands-on adjustments
flowing vinyasa based practices rooted in Ashtanga or Vinyasa flow. Suitable for beginners.
flowing vinyasa based practices rooted in Ashtanga or Vinyasa flow.
A fun and challenging dynamic class to build strength, flexibility and get energy flowing.
A fusion of yoga & bodyrolling, a unique and profound form of yoga and therapeutic work, which reorganises the mechanics of the body, elongating muscles, releasing the spine and improving alignment, mobility and flexibility.
An integration of meditative practices with elements of yoga, qigong, free movement, meditation and breathwork to encourage a profound sense of well-being and connection to body and mind.
An intimate session for parents & babies to learn and experience baby massage and yoga.
a class to support, inform and empower you through pregnancy.
a soulful class to coax you into a deep state of rest and contemplation; unwinding, rebalancing and nourishing body, mind and spirit.
a gentle and meditative yoga class that blends yin, restorative and nidra practices in a slow, nourishing and deeply relaxing practice.
workshops
We offer a diverse and exciting range of weekend workshops and courses. These sessions allow us an invaluable opportunity to go deeper into various yoga and mindbody practices. Our regular monthly workshops include:
an exhilarating and relaxing experiential aerial journey, where you will be guided through the foundations of aerial yoga.
a unique form of therapeutic bodywork which reorganises the mechanics of the body
an opportunity to explore techniques to master inversions
a musical meditation session for inner peace and mental health; to uplift the mind, open the heart and bring inner peace
where we can experience healing and transformation through sound
yin, yelaxation and introspection
200 hour, 300-hour accredited yoga teacher training, run by the Shala School of Yoga
teacher trainings & cpds
Our affiliate organisation, the Shala School of Yoga runs a 200-hour (level 1), and 300- hour) yoga teacher training programme alongside numerous shorter courses and CPDs. The school brings together some of the UK’s most well respected and inspirational teachers with a commitment to high quality educational trainings. Courses are either HYBRID (in studio and livestream), VIRTUAL (livestream only) or IN STUDIO (in studio only) or BLENDED with any combination of the above!
facilities
The Space
- Reception/lounge area
- Mysore studio – capacity 24 mats
- Hampi studio – capacity 22 mats
- Changing room – gender neutral
- Toilets x 3 – gender neutral
- Showers x 2 (please note we do NOT provide towels &/or shower toiletries)
- Props: bolsters, blankets, blocks, bricks, straps, sand bags, aerial hammocks, eye bags
Drinks
Help yourself to free filtered water and hot water! If you fancy a cuppa, teas are by donation (please leave a donation in the honesty jar).
If you would like a coffee (£2), please ask a member of staff (or a barista-trained student!) to make it for you.
yoga mats
*PLEASE NOTE USE OF OUR MATS IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED DUE TO OUR EFFORTS TO ENSURE A COVID-SAFER STUDIO*
It is common for people to sweat in our yoga classes and so for hygiene reasons, we request that you bring your own mat or yoga towel. Studio mats are available to borrow from racks in the hallway ONLY if you have a yoga towel to put over it. The only exception to this rule is for new students on an introductory pass, who may borrow a mat during their first month at the Shala. If you do borrow a studio mat, please always clean it after use (there are sprays and wipes to do this) and leave on the rail in the hallway to dry.
*PLEASE NOTE MAT STORAGE IS NOT CURRENTLY POSSIBLE DUE TO OUR EFFORTS TO ENSURE A COVID-SAFER STUDIO*
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