A revival in the wellness sector is spurring the launch of new yoga and pilates studios and other small businesses across the UK
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After the dark days of lockdowns five years ago, which resulted in the closure of countless small businesses up and down the country, the outlook for the yoga and Pilates sector is increasingly buoyant. According to a new report by Polaris Market Research, the combined Pilates and yoga studios market size globally is set to be worth US$431 billion by 2034, growing at an average rate of over 10% each year. The report states that growing health and wellness awareness, studio accessibility and urbanisation are key factors driving this strong growth.
I AM YOGI
While headlines are dominated by stories of high street closures and economic uncertainty, one independent wellness business in the Midlands is thriving — and spreading positivity in the process. Since opening in October 2024, I AM YOGI’s (iamyogi.co.uk) Sutton Coldfield studio has quickly become a vibrant hub for health, wellbeing and community. A year on and the studio is already expanding its offering with a brand-new therapy room, providing professional massage treatments to help members relax, restore and deepen their wellness journeys.
The studio offers a wide range of classes, catering to everyone from complete beginners taking their very first class to experienced yogis with decades of practice behind them. The focus is on making yoga accessible, enjoyable, and beneficial for all.
But I AM YOGI is more than just a place to roll out a mat. With the launch of several new community groups — Yogi Swim and Yogi Hike — the studio is taking its values ‘off the mat’ and into nature, helping members forge real-world connections while supporting their physical and mental health. “The studio has been such a welcome addition to Sutton Coldfield,” said one local member.
“There’s a real sense of belonging here. It’s not just about yoga; it’s about feeling part of something.”
This is the second studio from the I AM YOGI team, whose first location in Moseley has already built a strong following. While many businesses struggle to keep doors open, I AM YOGI is growing — proving that purpose-led, community-focused spaces still have a vital role to play in the local economy.
Other initiatives and events have proved equally popular. To celebrate the arrival of spring and bring the community together, I AM YOGI hosted a vibrant ‘Equinox Evening’ at its Sutton Coldfield studio. The event brought together locals for a night of connection, celebration and seasonal energy that perfectly captured the studio’s mission: to create welcoming, feel-good spaces where people can relax, connect and thrive — both on and off the mat.
“Independent businesses like ours can still thrive,” says Victoria Lawton, I AM YOGI’s founder. “We’re here to support our community’s wellbeing in every sense — physical, emotional, and social. That’s what people are really looking for right now.”
As national reports paint a gloomy picture for retail and hospitality, I AM YOGI offers a hopeful alternative: one rooted in connection, care, and a commitment to helping people feel good in themselves and about where they live.
OREN Wellness
Another new arrival is OREN Wellness (orenwellness.co.uk), a beautifully designed studio in Cardiff that is now offering its own holistic approach to wellbeing. Founded by 27-year-old local entrepreneur, Kelly Powling (pictured), who was inspired by her own search for more meaningful wellness experiences, it offers a space where fitness meets recovery and community.
At OREN, visitors can enjoy reformer pilates, mat pilates, yoga and barre, plus a dedicated recovery suite with infrared saunas, red light therapy and ice baths. It also offers Cardiff’s first ondemand reformer pilates experience, where clients can book solo sessions with virtual, expert-led classes in their own time.
“The idea for OREN started when I noticed how limited the reformer pilates options were in Cardiff”, says Powling. “But the more I researched, the more I realised this city was missing more than just one type of class. It needed a space that prioritised wellbeing as a whole, not just workouts. That’s where the vision for OREN really came to life.”
With a background in social media marketing, events, and brand building, Powling already had a strong local following. She’s the founder of Fierce Femmes, a 4,500-strong community for ambitious women, co-owns Penny’s Podcast Studio in South Wales, and runs the popular @cardifffoodie blog, where she’s collaborated with over 100 independent businesses.
To support the launch of OREN, she secured a Start Up Loan through the British Business Bank, providing vital funding to turn her studio concept into a fully operational business. The funding covered critical early-stage costs, including the unit deposit, reformer beds, interior design, legal fees, branding and equipment for their bespoke recovery suite.
“OREN is about more than just exercise — it’s a lifestyle. We’re creating a space that helps people slow down, reset and feel better in every sense. That’s the future of wellness, and we’re so excited to be a part of shaping it in Cardiff.”
Are you a new studio starting out in 2025? Are there any differences between studios launching today compared to in the pre-pandemic era? Tell us about it! We’d love to hear more. Email: editor@ommagazine.com
Om Magazine
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