A new studio offering "more than just yoga" has opened in the basement of the former Midland Bank in Kenilworth.

Run by local yoga instructor Kerry Palmer, The Basement Snug is now open for business at the Bank Gallery on High Street.

The space has previously been used as an art gallery, fitness studio and meeting room, but has now been transformed into Kerry's dream studio.

Having started teaching in 2014 she has had an eye open for her own studio but was waiting for the right place.

"I have taught in some amazing places over the years, but they're never quite as you would have them yourself," said the mother of two.

"I had been looking out for places, but I didn't want somewhere directly on the high street, because you don't want to be somewhere too noisy.

"I didn't want something new, I wanted an old building that was quirky, not just a box but something different. And this space is perfect."

As well as a studio space, the Basement Snug has a kitchen and a meeting area.

The renovations took just a matter of weeks as Kerry opened for business on January 16.

"We haven't taken anything original out, we have just enhanced what was already there and maximised the space as it is," she added.

"We opened a little bit behind our schedule but we ended up doing more work then we had originally planned."

More than a yoga studio

One of the most important things to Kerry is keeping her classes small and building relationships with clients.

"There is more to yoga than just getting on a mat, it really is about a community," she said.

"I know all my clients really well, the ins and outs of their lives. I want this to be a sharing space, not just a place to come and exercise but somewhere that was comfortable and relaxing."

She also wants the Basement Snug to offer more than just a timetable of different yoga classes.

So there will also be regular retreat days, brunches for new mums, art workshops and even floristry classes.

Kerry added: "I don't really call it a yoga studio because this is about creating a space where, when people leave, they feel better. And that can be achieved in so many different ways.

"There are so many ways of achieving the same feeling, and it doesn't matter which you chose. I don't think there is any need to be so boxed in to the approach – it isn't yoga or nothing."

Taking the plunge

Kerry began her yoga journey attending classes to help reduce stress.

She then decided to train as a teacher just to learn more about it but she quickly discovered a new vocation.

"I started yoga when I had a very stressful job," she said.

"I have always been very active but nothing was quite working for me, but then I tried a yoga class and never looked back.

"I never had any intention to teach. But I ran some classes for friends and then I started to get invites to run sessions elsewhere.

"I realised my job wasn't making me happy so I thought let's go for it."

Over the past eight years she has built a solid client base in the area and is now delighted with what she has created at the Basement Snug.

"The reception has been great so far.

"Everybody has said that the space has such a nice, welcoming feel.

"What is really lovely is that people have known this space over many years and have seen it in many different forms before this one.

"And the other half of people had no idea that this space existed."

To find out more about classes and events at the Basement Snug, follow this link to the website.

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