The Life Centre was the first yoga and wellness centre in London
founded 28 years ago by a visionary, and nurtured by our current
Director Elizabeth Stanley for the last twenty to bring yoga and
wellness to those who need it.
For so many of today’s yoga teachers and yogis, The Life
Centre was the first home for practicing yoga. We feel fortunate to
have touched the lives of a vast number of people; a place shared by
locals and well-known, even celebrity names alike, as well as an an
online space for those no longer in the area. Many still depend on
the centre as a sanctuary to support life’s ups-and-downs, meet
life-long friends, and support themselves to grow a regular practice.
Whilst the pandemic presented us, like others, with a huge challenge we also saw our community come together to support each other in an unprecedented way. We provided free classes to NHS and frontline workers, offered free weekly restorative classes on Facebook, and the comments we still receive each day tell us we continue to be that special haven for people. Sadly, like other industries, the longer term impact of this pandemic has been a fight for survival.
This past October, five yoga studios in London have had to close their doors permanently including our beloved Islington centre which had been running for over 11 years. We are still paying for the costs for this closure. Attendance for in-person classes at our remaining Notting Hill centre is gradually climbing but remains only at a fraction of pre-pandemic levels. At this rate, we can't run any longer.
Running a yoga centre is a high fixed-cost business and we have now spent all of our financial reserves supporting staff and teachers as best we can. We wholeheartedly believe physical centres are needed to support the wider community’s health and wellbeing and will be an integral part of the healing we all need after recent events. But we need your help to keep those doors open.
This is a very personal request to each of you who has been moved by your experiences with The Life Centre – however long ago since you saw us, or no matter if you haven't even been yet, we want to serve you but to be able to, we need to raise at least £60,000. Can you help?
Whether you are a past, current student or just someone who appreciates what The Life Centre is about, our history and the value we bring to the local community, we and all of our fantastic teachers, therapists and staff would be eternally grateful for your support. We are mostly women-run, have strong values and goals towards diversity, equity and inclusion, and strive for yoga and wellbeing for all bodies. Any donation, large or small, will make it more likely that we will still be here to welcome any soul who needs us back.
Thank you. In deep appreciation for any support you are able to offer.
Perks
Bought in India 12 years ago and shipped to the UK specifically for our Islington studio. Blessed in the inaugural opening ceremony and by the thousands of yogis who practiced in the main studio. Around 1500 (59 inches) wide by 1600 tall (63 inches). Weighs 74 kg! Please email us about shipping – we will ship within London and inside M25.
Get a Luxury Mama Moon Candle plus a printable voucher for an online yoga or pilates class with The Life Centre. A perfect gift for someone who needs a bit of TLC Anywhere, Anytime. Just light the candle, turn on zoom and be transported to London's oldest yoga studio! Collection in-person at Notting Hill.
Create your own unique Ma-Lisa Mala. A combination of Rudrasksha and crystal beads will be used to make the sacred Mala and tied whilst chanting a mantra of your choice. Work directly with the creator to achieve your own unique and personal aid to prayer and meditation. These hand-crafted meditation and prayer beads will be made and donated especially for The Life Centre's final, match-funded fundraising week by a local staff member. Collection from The Life Centre, Notting Hill Ma-Lisa – hand-tied yoga Malas
Get a professional yoga strap, block and soft blanket plus a printable voucher for an online yoga or pilates class with The Life Centre. A perfect gift for someone who needs a bit of TLC Sanctuary, Somewhere Else. Just grab your blanket, block and strap, turn on zoom and be transported to London's oldest yoga studio! Collection in-person from our Notting Hill studio
Yoga tailored to the individual. Choose online or in-person in Notting Hill. Choose from either a one-to-one or as a small private group. 60 minutes.
Pilates tailored to the individual. Private one-to-one class online. 55 minutes.
Ashtanga foundations /Slow Flow yoga with Phillipa online. For a small group, or as a private one-to-one. 60 minutes.
Yoga tailored to the individual. In-person in our Notting Hill studio. Choose from either a one-to-one or as a small private group. 60 minutes.
Yoga tailored to the individual. In-person in our Notting Hill studio. Exclusively available as a one-to-one. 60 minutes.
Yoga / somatic movement / dynamic or therapeutic tailored to suit. Vinyasa Flow. Choose online — as a one-to-one OR as a group, or in-person in Stoke Newington — as a private one-to-one. 60 minutes.
Kundalini yoga, meditation, chanting + gong. Choose online or in-person in Kings Cross. Choose from either a one-to-one or as a small private group. 60 minutes.
The Prana Flow Eco Mandala Mat is a tool for living flow and practicing Pranams-prostrations. Available in blue or pink. It is a durable, natural rubber/non-toxic/anti-bacterial/biodegradable mat covered in a lush micro-suede that creates a smooth, glide for pranams (prostrations), lunar yoga, meditation and rolling arts. Its easy to fold in many ways for travel for outdoor or indoor practice while bringing magic, purpose and peace to any space.
These beautiful Singing bowls have been hand crafted in Nepal and sourced by Anne. Each bowl sits neatly inside a silk box which includes a cushion, 2 mallets and a Singing Bowl handbook. Anne has kindly donated a medium "Goddess” Bowl (7 inches diameter)
Highlights
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Bought in India 12 years ago and shipped to the UK specifically for our Islington studio. Blessed in the inaugural opening ceremony and by the thousands of yogis who practiced in the main studio. Around 1500 (59 inches) wide by 1600 tall (63 inches). Weighs 74 kg! Please email us about shipping – we will ship within London and inside M25.
Get a Luxury Mama Moon Candle plus a printable voucher for an online yoga or pilates class with The Life Centre. A perfect gift for someone who needs a bit of TLC Anywhere, Anytime. Just light the candle, turn on zoom and be transported to London's oldest yoga studio! Collection in-person at Notting Hill.
Create your own unique Ma-Lisa Mala. A combination of Rudrasksha and crystal beads will be used to make the sacred Mala and tied whilst chanting a mantra of your choice. Work directly with the creator to achieve your own unique and personal aid to prayer and meditation. These hand-crafted meditation and prayer beads will be made and donated especially for The Life Centre's final, match-funded fundraising week by a local staff member. Collection from The Life Centre, Notting Hill Ma-Lisa – hand-tied yoga Malas
Get a professional yoga strap, block and soft blanket plus a printable voucher for an online yoga or pilates class with The Life Centre. A perfect gift for someone who needs a bit of TLC Sanctuary, Somewhere Else. Just grab your blanket, block and strap, turn on zoom and be transported to London's oldest yoga studio! Collection in-person from our Notting Hill studio
Yoga tailored to the individual. Choose online or in-person in Notting Hill. Choose from either a one-to-one or as a small private group. 60 minutes.
Pilates tailored to the individual. Private one-to-one class online. 55 minutes.
Ashtanga foundations /Slow Flow yoga with Phillipa online. For a small group, or as a private one-to-one. 60 minutes.
Yoga tailored to the individual. In-person in our Notting Hill studio. Choose from either a one-to-one or as a small private group. 60 minutes.
Yoga tailored to the individual. In-person in our Notting Hill studio. Exclusively available as a one-to-one. 60 minutes.
Yoga / somatic movement / dynamic or therapeutic tailored to suit. Vinyasa Flow. Choose online — as a one-to-one OR as a group, or in-person in Stoke Newington — as a private one-to-one. 60 minutes.
Kundalini yoga, meditation, chanting + gong. Choose online or in-person in Kings Cross. Choose from either a one-to-one or as a small private group. 60 minutes.
The Prana Flow Eco Mandala Mat is a tool for living flow and practicing Pranams-prostrations. Available in blue or pink. It is a durable, natural rubber/non-toxic/anti-bacterial/biodegradable mat covered in a lush micro-suede that creates a smooth, glide for pranams (prostrations), lunar yoga, meditation and rolling arts. Its easy to fold in many ways for travel for outdoor or indoor practice while bringing magic, purpose and peace to any space.
These beautiful Singing bowls have been hand crafted in Nepal and sourced by Anne. Each bowl sits neatly inside a silk box which includes a cushion, 2 mallets and a Singing Bowl handbook. Anne has kindly donated a medium "Goddess” Bowl (7 inches diameter)
