Kenilworth's first dedicated yoga and wellness studio is set to open to customers for the first time on Monday, May 17, government guidelines permitting.

Undo Studio's eight resident instructors will take their first classes a week on Monday from the newly-refurbished unit on Station Road.

Owners Craig and Claire Dickson took over the lease of the old 'Boots' unit at the end of 2020, with the idea of creating a community-led wellbeing hub that went against the 'traditional' gym business model.

Having stripped the interior of the shop, and rebuilt the space using sustainably-sourced materials wherever possible, Und is finally ready to welcome customers for the first time.

Speaking to Kenilworth Nub News co-founder Craig Dickson said: "We are really pleased, it is an amazing space, as you walk through the door you are instantly relaxed, it has worked out as close to our original plan as possible.

"What normally happens is you have the design ideas, but then during the course of a build you end up making sacrifices or choices, but we haven't made any trade offs at all during the course of this."

What is on offer?

Customers are now able to book sessions on the studio's website, or via its dedicated app. Classes initially will be limited to six people, but there is a packed schedule of sessions six days a week.

Covid-19 restrictions permitting, classes will be expanded to up to 10 people from June 21, although the class sizes are being kept intentionally small to ensure the best experience possible.

A range of classes will be available. Sessions dedicated to older customers, some just for men as well as classes for children and teens, will also be available. Membership is not necessary to book a class, although a scheme will be launched later in the year.

Craig said: "We have a full timetable of classes every day except for Saturdays, which we have kept free so that we can do workshops, wellness talks and seminars."

"We have tried to make sure that there is something for everyone. There will be yoga of differing styles, Pilates, Qi Gong and one of the big differences is that we have the full range of beginners, intermediate and advanced classes."

The studio also has a dedicated treatment room, where in-house therapists will be available for acupuncture, massage, and reiki therapy.

More than a studio

As Undo continues to separate itself from traditional gyms, it has also created its own range of products for customers.

Specially sourced loose leaf teas, aromatherapy products from a collaboration with local business Pigpen Aromatherapy, and a bespoke UndÅ clothing range are all now on offer.

"We have been busy over the past few months," says Craig, "all of those things are hopefully things that we plan to continue to develop and build on as well."

Und also has a dedicated booking app which can be downloaded now from the studio's website.

The app allows for a novel cancellation policy whereby any customer who cannot make a class but is replaced before the start of the class will automatically be refunded. It also has a digital waiting list which will mean that other customer will be notified of spaces that become available and be able to book their spot with a click of a button.

"There is lots going on and still more to come. For us, we have taken a view that we wanted to create something that everyone can take part in and enjoy.

"When we first had the idea of Und, we set ourselves the challenge to create a perfect, relaxing, studio experience without placing any constraints on design or quality.

"We think we've got pretty to close to that and we hope Kenilworth agrees when we throw the doors open on the 17."

A small gallery of images can be seen at the top of this page.

To find out more about UndÅ Studio, please follow this link to our exclusive 'Up Close With' feature.