Out & About Summer 2019

Out&About wellbeing

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Living Saucha Breathing life into Newbury

I t’s too early for shoppers, yet at 8.15am on a blustery Saturday morning, Newbury Market Square slowly springs into life. A man in tracksuit bottoms, a woman in bright leggings and another man carrying a yoga mat and drinking water all appear walking purposefully to their early-morning yoga class at Living Saucha Studio. The entrance is under a grand archway and once inside there’s a faint smell of incense, a murmur of chatter and a beautifully-decorated reception area. Further along the hall, Abi King is about to start her 8.30am vinyasa flow class. Some of the class are chatting quietly, others are lying peacefully on their mats. Abi turns on a soothing track of Indian music and the class begins its lesson, focusing on slowing down the breath and stretching, before picking up the pace to an energetic flow. Yoga is a booming business now and is no longer thought of as a ‘boring stretchy exercise‘, with classes springing up in gyms and church halls all over. However, not every town in Britain has its own boutique studio like Newbury. Regular practice is said to change the shape of the body, bring calmness to the mind and boost immunity and bone strength. Back at the studio, the 10.15am members have arrived and the atmosphere becomes lively again. “I practise yoga every day,” says Hannah, a regular user of Living Saucha. “I find peace in my mind and connection to my body, I can’t imagine what I’d do without Abi or the studio.” “I’m hooked,” smiles Amy. “It’s the combination of strength work and the meditative flow that helps you switch off. I feel so refreshed and energised.” The studio has a varied timetable. Students are encouraged to try different classes and teachers to find which style suits them. Kylie, Kate and Abi teach vinyasa flow at different levels. While Rachel, Katt and newly-recruited Josh offer hatha (a slower-paced yoga class). There’s a gentle class for older students, led by Isobel, and regular workshops at weekends including acro partner yoga with Yasmin. At a time when the high street is under threat, it is vital to have a community business such as Living Saucha attracting people into town and improving their fitness and wellbeing.

Not only offering yoga, the studio also has therapy rooms offering osteopathy, massage and reflexology and a café, Colline’s Kitchen. Colline has designed nourishing, tasty superfood bowls, lunches and homemade cakes. There’s a lovely peaceful atmosphere as customers sit in the courtyard sipping tea. Living Saucha is breathing life into Newbury in so many ways. Come and experience the yoga, the food and the community spirit and you, too, may find yourself hooked.

YOGA STUDIO The Old Town Hall, Newbury

MORNING, DAYTIME & EVENING CLASSES ALL LEVELS 7 DAYS AWEEK www.livingsaucha.com For information, or to make a booking: Email: abi@livingsaucha.com Phone: 07917176491 Living Saucha The Old Town Hall Market Place, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5AA

The Old Town Hall Market Place Newbury |www.livingsaucha.com | 07917 176491 |Email: abi@livingsaucha.com

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O&A SUMMER 2019