My alarm chimes….It’s 6.30am, the earliest I’ve set it for quite some time. This morning I am going to be doing a yoga class at an actual studio for the first time in fourteen months (!), and to be quite honest, I am a little apprehensive.

I am not terrible by any means but since my previous studio closed down during the first lockdown of 2020, I have barely set foot on a mat and thus I feel my fitness has suffered as a result of such neglect.

Fast forward to today and I am back on the bike, literally and metaphorically, as I cycle my way through sleepy Chelsea toward my destination, Bamford Wellness, on Draycott Avenue.

I arrive at the studio-come-boutique that has a particularly fresh appeal on this sunny and warm July morning. The lovely Izzy greets me at the entrance and I step into a serene escape in the heart of the ordinarily bustling shopping and dining precinct, Brompton Cross. The space is sleek to say the least with a flowing water feature taking centre stage and an inviting fireplace (yes, even during a July heatwave) setting the mood.  Bamford’s signature skincare, luxury loungewear (think irresistibly fine cotton sleepwear that made me want to jump straight into a smocked nightie), and wellness accessories like herbal teas, crystals and all manner of organic goodies fill the surrounding shelves. I am guided upstairs to a continuation of the refined interior – neutral floors, polished plaster walls and birch accents that are perfectly suited to the brand’s elegant aesthetic.

I pop my things into the lockers provided and step into a bright, double-height room where only three yoga mats await. Soft morning sun streams through sheer blinds, casting golden squares of light across the pale floors – I can still make out the pretty window boxes and blue sky outside. The air is perfumed with the scent of Bamford’s herbaceous concoctions, and yet it is still so tastefully restrained.

The teacher, Kristina, glides over to welcome me, she has a warm smile and an assuring presence. After starting with a sequence of calming breathing techniques we jump into the Vinyasa flow which increases my heart rate immediately.

The hour-long class is intimate but not intimidating; I need not have been apprehensive. Kristina gently guides my classmate and I through the flow with hands-free technique adjustments and options to level up (or down) if needed. It’s definitely a workout as I am breaking a sweat and my out-of-practice muscles are burning!

We continued through the sequence and gave some more challenging poses a try under the guidance of Kritinas expert eye. After a short abs-focused sequence, the class winds down to end with savasana (basically laying down, eyes closed in quiet meditation, or a quick nap depending on how you look at it) while a smoky wood scent is drifting through the room to reawaken our senses.

The experience has felt more like a mini-retreat than a workout and is not only a refreshing start to my day but a reminder of the value of getting back onto the mat. The approach here is warm and welcoming and is open to levels and ages – choose from a range of yoga styles, pilates or meditation classes to suit your mood. Yoga starts at £24 for 60 minutes (75 and 90-minute classes are also available)

with a maximum of 7 attendees in each class, making this experience even more special given that you won’t need to grapple for floor space. Classes can be booked on their website or over the phone at either of their Brompton Cross and Cotswold locations. Namaste!

Book Kristina Meyers Yoga Class here.

Haybarn Brompton Cross, 104 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, London SW3 3AE

Annabel Hill