Our Space
A bespoke yoga sanctuary — purpose-built with warmth, character and community at its heart.
Our Vision
A sanctuary built with intention
When we took over our space in West Norwood, it was a vast 250 square metre cavity with virtually no natural light, no heating, minimal plumbing and a severely leaking roof. It took some imagination to picture just what an amazing space it could be. Our vision was to create a bespoke yoga centre dedicated to mind body practices. It was to be a beautifully simple, serene and warm space, which retained the warehouse character of the building. We wanted loads of natural light with views of the sky. We wanted it to be intimate, yet spacious, personal but uncluttered, airy, but cosy. It was to be a place for self-nurture, healing, and community. The beautiful purpose-built centre we have created has some of the luxuries of a big yoga centre (showers, underfloor heating, wooden floors), whilst retaining the charm and character of a small independent studio. The space is a sanctuary, peaceful, but vibrant and always warm and welcoming.
"A place for self-nurture, healing, and community."
Three businesses, one roof, one shared purpose
Three independent well-being businesses occupy the beautiful Shala space.
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The Shala School of Yoga Yoga trainings, CPDs and retreats for professional development.
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Vahni Yoga classes, events, rituals and retreats.
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Lark Pilates Pilates mat and Reformer classes.
The Studios
The Lounge Area
Since hanging out and drinking tea and coffee has long been a part of the Shala yogi culture, one of our priorities when we designed the space was to create a place that felt like a home-from-home where we could do just that. A formal reception area may have been more practical but we love the fact that walking in to the Shala feels like walking in to someone's living room.
The Mysore Studio
The Mysore studio is our main studio, named after the city where the ashtanga system of yoga was established. The light-filled studio has a brickwork feature wall, exposed beams and Crittall-style windows. The ash wood floor is underfloor heated to a lovely ambient 25 degrees. Hidden away from any roads, the studio looks out on to a cobble-stone mews and is unusually peaceful. By day, we love to see the sky and the elements as we practice, by night we soak up the quietude, enhanced by mood lighting and the scent of aromatherapy oils.
The Hampi Studio
The Hampi Studio takes its name from a village in Karnataka, India, where director Gingi Lee first discovered ashtanga yoga. This is our largest studio, an airy, bright space with lofty ceilings. Features include the beautiful high wavy ceiling, ash wooden flooring, central heating and three large windows overlooking Norwood Road.
The Pushkar Studio
The Pushkar Studio is named after the Rajasthani town where the owner Gingi first came across yoga with Swami Shyam. It was here that he came to see that yoga was to be his true calling in life. Overlooking the peaceful Ebury Mews, this is our smallest and most intimate studio, which is often used for small group reformer classes.
Our Building
A Victorian warehouse reimagined
Once a Victorian furniture warehouse and showroom, our building on Norwood Road was in desperate need of repair when we took over the third floor premises. We undertook a massive internal refurbishment and thanks to a grant from Lambeth council we were also able to restore the beautiful façade. It causes some confusion that our address is on Norwood Road but the entrance to our building is at 1 Chestnut Road through a 1920s building, which was once part of Harry Day's furniture empire. Look out for our pavement sign on Chestnut Road.
Facilities
Facilities
We have a small tea-making kitchenette, a cloakroom, three toilets and two showers. Half the building is underfloor heated, the other half is central heating. It is always warm and cosy, no matter what the weather outside.
Artwork
Artwork at the Shala
The main focal point of the reception/lounge area is Territory, a stunning three-dimensional piece by Jack Milroy. Milroy, father of the co-director Ella, is an established contemporary artist who regularly exhibits in London.
Also on display is The Heavens, a print by long-time Shala student and talented artist Miriam Escofet. The graphics throughout the centre were designed by friend, student and graphic designer Lisa Kosky.
Dedication
Dedication to Derek Ireland
The Shala is dedicated to Derek Ireland (1949–1998), Gingi's principal yoga teacher. Derek started out as a semi-professional football player, moved on to become a punk-rock promoter and then found his true calling as a yoga teacher. He was instrumental in bringing ashtanga yoga to Europe in the 80s and 90s. Derek was infinitely inspiring and charismatic – he would have you laughing until tears rolled down your face. His picture hangs in the lounge area and in the entrance.
Derek Ireland · 1949–1998