Nestled within the stunning new Wandsworth complex of New Acres sits Sangha Studios, SW18’s latest social wellness offering. It’s a place of movement, connection and, that all important beverage, coffee.
It’s about more than yoga, it’s about building a community. In fact, Sangha Studios has made such an impact on our community that founder Becca Sandler won Best Start-Up at this year’s Women’s Enterprise Awards.
We caught up with Becca to find out more about her award-winning venture.
Hey Becca. Tell us, how did Sangha Studios come about?
Sangha Studios began when I first qualified as a yoga teacher and life coach. I was sitting on Clapham Common with a dear friend and fellow coach and she asked me “What is your vision for your business?” As a young, naïve, but ambitious and tenacious entrepreneur, I looked her dead in the eyes with a grounded certainty and described a physical space where people felt at home as soon as they walked through the door. Somewhere that I’d be able to teach yoga, life coach people and provide nourishing and healthy food and drinks to people. She said, “Wow, that sounds like a lot to take on at once.” and I replied, “Yes, it is! But I don’t do things by halves and I truly believe that it is spaces like this that don’t really exist yet and I want to create that kind of space for people. It would have been so valuable to me when I first moved to London.”
And so, Sangha Studios was born. Or at least the idea for it. Four and a half years of hustle, learning and iteration later, the universe gives me a nudge with two friends mentioning a new development in Wandsworth Town called New Acres, so I tapped it into google, as a SW London girl through and through, to find that they had a ‘retail opportunities’ tab. After one pitch, 18 months, endless emails, some sleepless nights, many decisions, and a whole lot of ambition, grit and determination, here we are; in the space I described to my wonderful friend on Clapham Common six years ago!
Why Wandsworth?
As a long standing SW London advocate, I was deciding between opening Sangha here or back in Hertfordshire where I grew up. So I was always looking for amazing spaces in both areas and then when my friends mentioned this place, it became clear that it was the perfect spot for Sangha Studios’ first site.
“Sangha” means “community”, right? How do you incorporate that into your studio?
It does, and “assembly of people on a shared mission” – which is what we are building here.
It is more than a studio where people can sweat or relax. It is a place where like-minded people seeking more come to meet. More connection, more authenticity, more opportunities to feel as though they belong to something bigger, in an otherwise fairly isolating city.
Every person who walks through the door is greeted with eye contact and genuine interest is shown to them. That is how we build community.
We are also partnering with other brands to invite their communities into the space and foster connections that way. As well as connecting with other local businesses in the area to create an ecosystem of local entrepreneurship.
What classes do you offer?
We offer three core concepts: yoga, Pilates (mat) and barre. Different styles of each concept are offered. We have classes for every ability and interest. From sweaty Power Yoga or Dynamic Barre classes to much more chilled classes, like our Stretch and Restore Yoga, or if you’re looking for somewhere in between, our Pilates would be perfect for you.
Are you running any introductory offers at the moment?
We are!
We currently have our 3 classes for £30, valid for 21 days, with extra classes costing on £5 during that period. This offer has been developed to give people are chance to try as many different teachers, styles and class times as possible as an intro to the space before deciding which membership option is best for them!
What modern wellness misconception do you wish you could squash once and for all?
That you have to do everything all at once! I’d love people to bring it back to the basics of:
– Enough sleep and recovery.
– Hydration.
– Movement – Of any kind! Everyone’s movement routine will look different.
– Nourishment – Both nutritional through food but more widely nourishing their minds and souls through connection, nature and breathing deeply.
What would you say to someone who’s curious about embarking on their personal wellness journey?
Just start! Whether you commit to a five-minute walk once a week or dive headfirst into a class a day, everyone’s journey will look completely different. But one thing I’ve come to know fully is that there is no “right time” to start. But if you have a curiousity, then you are ready to make some kind of change, so do it. It doesn’t have to be life changing on day one, week one or even month one, but find what works for you and keep showing up.
What’s your favourite thing about Wandsworth?
The village-y feel of Old York Road. I didn’t know it well before finding the unit for Sangha but I have grown really fond of it and it reminds me of my hometown’s high street, so perhaps I was meant to launch here before taking it out into Hertfordshire.
Find Sangha Studios at New Acres Wandsworth and give them a follow on Instagram. Download the Wandsworth Town app to access details of locals offers, discounts, events, and more.
