The Hot Yoga Chapel Leeds: Ilkley-based studio to open second site in city centre

The Hot Yoga Chapel will open on April 12, taking over the Engine House, a grade two listed building in Holbeck. 

It comes as the company’s Ilkley branch has amassed “phenomenal” support from locals following its opening in May 2022. 

Owner Zana Hunter, who also teaches at the studio, said opening a hot yoga studio was a long-term goal of hers. 

She told Yorkshire Evening Post: “I'd wanted to open a hot studio for probably about five years. I was searching for a unit for a long time, but I didn't just want to settle for anything. I wanted it to be perfect. 

“And the Chapel just ticked all the boxes. It was so beautiful and unique and had a history, it had energy - everything I wanted in the studio.

“I can't describe how successful it's been from day one. It's been received really well.

“We've built a really amazing community of people who are just really committed to their practice, and also to building community together, which I think people are crying out for now.” 

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The permanent closure of the Hot Room, in the soon-to-be demolished shopping centre The Core on the Headrow, had left students and teachers looking elsewhere. Many reached out to Zana.

Zana said: “It was almost like just a calling that I had to answer to. I wasn't searching to open a second studio, but the stars sort of aligned.

“I always say it's a little bit like ‘dharma’, which is a yogic word for your life's duty. And I feel like it was just my ‘dharma’, like ‘you need to do this for these people’.” 

The Hot Yoga Chapel will continue to host its “powerful, hot yoga classes” while it also looks to expand its offering to include sober dance events at the new venue.  

And to celebrate its opening, The Hot Yoga Chapel is offering unlimited free yoga for 30 days, priced at £35.

Find more information about the yoga studio via its official website and social media channel.