Body Shop Yoga

Two years ago, Leeds was without a yoga studio. Now, Body Shop Yoga offers a variety of yoga classes and other wellness experiences.
Founder Beth Ryan began practicing yoga in 2001 and entered Sacred Glow Yoga teacher training in March 2014. She didn’t yet know how her dream would come to fruition, but Beth wanted to make the practice readily available in Leeds.
“Leeds is important to me, and I wanted to share this with the community,” she says, pointing out that yoga’s benefits aren’t only physical, but also mental and emotional.
She found the opportunity in the old Ryan Automotive building, which had been in her family for some time. The name Body Shop Yoga quickly followed; not only are the words “body shop” painted on the building, but its double meaning relates nicely to yoga’s physical side.
With the help of several close friends, Beth transformed the old body shop’s office into a studio. She says the initial renovations were humble, focused largely on cleaning the floors and painting. That was enough to get started; she taught the first Body Shop Yoga class in February 2015. A community quickly formed around the studio. In addition to the friends who have supported Beth all along, her beginner-level classes drew new practitioners. “And then Mr. John Edwards walked in,” Beth says. “He and his wife Coni really gave me the energy and support I needed to keep it going.”
In the 18 months since opening, Beth has continued to balance her full-time job with the studio’s growth. In some cases, that’s been literal, with walls torn down to make room for more students. Thanks to Julie Watters joining the team, the class offerings have grown, too.
“Julie also had similar goals and vision to bring yoga to Leeds,” Beth says. “She’s really the driving force behind expanding the space beyond my three classes a week.”
The studio’s most recent addition is a rotating schedule of teachers on Tuesday nights. That allows students to experience different styles as they deepen their personal yoga practices. Julie also offers belly dancing workshops and other opportunities for creative expression.
Body Shop Yoga has become more than people getting fit, with Wine Down Wednesdays and gatherings outside of the studio providing a chance for students to get to know each other. “It’s not just an exercise class,” Beth says. “It really feels like a family or a community.”