Opening a yoga studio often begins as a necessity. A yoga teacher’s newfound passion turned into a profession, or a long-time yogi keen to hold a safe sacred space for those who wish to learn from them. Yoga spaces are really special, they are needed and will continue to be. They are unique to those who create and sustain them, and they form a network of spaces where people go to process, slow down, listen, heal and strengthen their connection with themselves and the Divine.
This is why, despite the extraordinary challenges that yoga-loving people face when creating a business doing what they love, the teachings of yoga, and life lessons along the way are what make them able to carry the weight of the project and move through with deeper intentionality each step of the way. Personally, it can sometimes be less about business savviness and more about personal awareness (about what you need, want, and are able to do) that makes or breaks the spirit of a studio. To close or keep on going?
(below: ‘Fire Studio, Reception & Soul Studio,’ 2016.)
When we expanded Hot Yoga Sheffield to Edgedale Road back in 2017, we were running on the buzz of being the first hot studio in Sheffield. Our boutique studio on Commonside (est. 2014) was roaring with full classes every day, and we knew there were many more who could benefit from hot yoga and so much more.
Exploring the vision of getting a loan and renovating the right space
felt like the possibilities were endless. We had made plans and applications before, and this time, we wanted to make it even better. Although the details of how business and life unfold after the explosion of being received publicly get swept away in the background, this journey certainly gave us a ‘run for our money.’
The reality is, building the studio took a long time. The dust after demolition was everywhere in this half-crusty tardis building with just the freshness of sheetrock walls in the hot studio when we made the strange decision to hold our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner here in November 2016. A dubious flamethrowing heater offered us some ‘bodge job’ background warmth to an otherwise awesome Kirtan Jam followed by campfire singalongs. 4 Non-Blonds and Linda’s sensual song crafted the night into something truly beautiful in our memories. These crazy times were actually pretty fun.
We thought we were building within our means, and taking decisions one step at a time to make someplace really powerful. Unfortunately, the behind-the-scenes story became painful, arduous, nervewracking and stressful as our funds were plundered by the ‘cowboy builder’ we hired. Lesson one: trust that karma will somehow return the favour to those who willfully scam others, and that your losses will be repaid in other ways. We didn’t know that it would smooth over eventually, but had to maintain the power of self-responsibility to accept the situation. Beyond the long story, (with thanks that it has long since faded) staying true to the vision has always been the easy part, riding the waves of uncertainty, less so.
When we did finally open in February 2017, the place was on fire. The anticipation had gathered over a hundred guests to our first Open Day and the buzz was palatable. There were some great moments there where we trusted that all our hard work would pay off and that everyone involved would settle in to enjoy the fruits. We enjoyed our after-party bliss and felt renewed enough to review the next steps - keeping the business rolling and getting the expenses paid.
(below: Hot Yoga Sheffield, Edgedale Grand Opening, February 2017)
The main stress of any business owner is finding that delicate balance between generating the income to run the premises, operate the services, and keeping clear and friendly communications with clients and staff all at the same time. It sounds like common sense, but there are times when things get off-kilter. Business success comes in waves for many. Like life, it’s not linear.
Yoga on Edgedale Road had an explosive start, some rocky residue, tumultuous times and serious trepidation. When I took on the studio and rebranded to Soul Fire Studios in 2019, I felt sure that there was work to be done to make this place sustainable and successful, that it was possible, but it would take time.
Covid was a blessing that made us, like everyone else, slow down to a near-enough standstill. Thankfully, by the grace of the beautiful yogis here, we skimmed by with 20 members to keep teachers working online. Government grants enabled us to clear up the paperwork, work on foundational planning and start taking steps to move this place forward once we could begin again.
Upon our official reopening in May 2021, moving to only in-person classes, we had to get back into the groove of making this place work smoothly again. We remembered why we practice and teach yoga, what the space offers Sheffielders in community support, and that truly value the interactions we have with the many people who come here. Whether it’s us, yoga teachers, those who bring their healing services here in other ways, or the students and clients who are the foundation and gracious recipients, each of us feels a special connection with Soul Fire Studios - which is why we’re still here.
Soul Fire Studios has had six years of development. From conception back in 2016 to its Grand Opening, the formative Hot Yoga Sheffield years to its Soul Fire Rebrand in September 2019. The lull of Covid’s 18-month closure with online services and back into physical reality in 2021. By 2022, we knew what to do. Here we are, back in full swing. 2023, who knows what you’ll bring, but thank you for bringing us here, right where we are.
As the individual who has remained a constant in this studio’s life since it began, I am in awe of how we all survived to reach this beautiful place. Perhaps it’s like a mother’s joy to witness her child grow beyond the pains she’s endured to labour them into existence. Rather than expecting some great reward for the effort, she can admire their independence and supportive nature, and be held by them when she needs care and attention. At this stage, I am grateful for the overall health to experience the privilege of directing this amazing place. With all the perks and responsibilities, somehow, this has been a job for me, and for that, I am happy.
(below: Soul Fire Studios, Open Day, October 2022.)
With plenty more to say, I wish to leave this post with nothing but absolute gratitude:
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this project. From the Karma Yogis who built our beautiful retail shelves, and installed the Soul Studio floor (for free!) to those who got into the nitty-gritty of managing yogis and marketing the magic (these are not easy tasks). To the teachers who have cultivated themselves and their craft here and have grown into ever-more life expansion like opening their own yoga studios and healing spaces and creative projects. Everyone who cleans, rents, attends classes and events, and comes to help - you make a difference to this place. I promise. I know each one of you. I see you and I love you.
Thank you to friends and family who have held the heaviness way beyond the point of discomfort, and have softened into the space of resilience through compassion and care over time. We’ve done this together, and we still do.
Let’s keep the Soul Fire burning for us all and for those yet to come: yoga connection is needed still, and always will.
Big love, all.
A.M.G.
