LUX August 2017

LUX - August 2017 43 “We have made yoga user-friendly. For example, we offer many themes such as yoga for flexibility, yoga for strength, yoga for abs, yoga for stress relief, morning stretch, yoga for beginners, yoga for a strong and healthy back, lower body firm up and so on. The themes are many. This approach has really worked and the schedule changes weekly, to keep it interest- ing and varied. “The fact that we offer classes throughout the day and evening, really suits people who cannot commit to the same time each week. We also have a social group, which currently has over 130 members. We have regular meals out and visits to local concerts. So many friendships have been made in this manner. Our emphasis is on being a down to earth and friendly studio, where people feel the warmth, as soon as they walk in. We have many laughs!” Marcus then reveals how the firm always aims to provide the best possible service for their clients. He also offers his opinions on the staff he employs in the business. “All our teachers are well qualified and have a good deal of experience. I personally have been teaching for 17 years. We all attend regular workshops and further our training as much as we can. We use an online booking system, which is one of the best in the world for studios such as ours. This has really made a difference to both the ease of the business and client satisfaction. We offer many money saving packages and memberships to help those who want to attend regularly, as economically as possible. “My staff are brilliant at what they do and are very easy to manage. I like them to bring their own personalities and styles into their lessons. I trust their knowledge and basically let them get on with it! In this way, clients can then try all of us and then select the teacher/s they gel with the most.” Within the wider health, beauty and wellness market, there are several trends that Marcus has spotted. He As part of the LUX Health, Beauty & Wellness Awards, the UK based company Stamford Yoga was very fortunate to win two prestigious accolades. The first was the Best Yoga Studio – Lincolnshire and the second was the LUX Excellence Award for Private Yoga Tuition – UK. To celebrate these successes, the firm’s director, Marcus Parr took time out to speak to us about his work as a leading yoga teacher in the Peterborough area. Making Yoga User-Friendly tells us how his firm is adapting around these, plus he offers his thoughts on potential future developments within the wider yoga industry. “Stamford is quite a health-conscious town. It is a place where many people take pride in their health and fitness. In that respect, it has been a good place to quickly gain clients and to get my business off the ground. “In terms of legislation, there isn’t a mass of regu- lation out there, but generally training in yoga has upped its gear, so new teachers have a fair amount of knowledge behind them when they start.” “Looking to the health, beauty and wellness market in the future, one thing I have noticed is that an in- creasing number of people are interested in nutrition and what food goes into their mouths. I see a steady trickle of people trying veganism. I myself have gone more towards veganism since last year, having been a vegetarian for 30 years. Some of my lovely students often bring me vegan treats such as cakes and biscuits which are often homemade! It certainly beats just eating an apple!” In closing, Marcus explains what the future has in store for Stamford Yoga Ltd. “Basically, I feel I am still in the ‘building stage’ – gradually acquiring a greater base of regular visitors. I spend a lot of time advertising on social media and sharing photos of everyday yogis and yoginis, achiev- ing great things with their dedication. “Facebook and Instagram posts have brought many new students to the studio. However, the greatest gatherer of students is through word of mouth. We have the seal of approval also from three osteopaths who come to the studio for lessons themselves and who recommend their patients to us.” Stamford Yoga was established in 2014, by Marcus Parr-Black, who has been a been a leading yoga teacher in the Peterborough area since the year 2000. As the interview kicks off, he tells us about the firm’s background before it opened its doors for the first time. “I was teaching originally (since 2000) from a smaller studio near Peterborough offering mainly private tuition, with the addition of two public classes at a couple of other locations in the Peterborough area. “A couple who I used to teach contacted me one day, to invite me to see a building that they had acquired that had studio space. I wasn’t looking to expand at the time, but went along to have a casual look. However, when I walked into the room I was taken aback. It was a beautiful room, with lots of light and characterised by typical Stamford architecture. I had visited other yoga centres and thought that maybe the same could be created in Stamford. So, I gave it a go! “My aim was to offer classes seven days a week at various times and to have a selection of teachers to choose from, plus to also offer pilates. I interviewed and selected a few teachers to join me, so in Sep- tember 2014 Stamford Yoga opened its doors for the first time.” Specifically, within the health, beauty and wellness sector, Marcus reveals the services the firm offers plus how they mark themselves out from the competition. “We offer yoga and pilates classes for all levels, on a public and private class basis. Thai yoga massage is also offered by one of the teachers. We hold monthly workshops for more in-depth study, often with visiting internationally known teachers. HBW17045