Stretching out to online platform is real winner
Yoga business thriving after lockdown meant boss had to bend with the times
An under-threat pregnancy yoga class is continuing to support women during the coronavirus pandemic after going digital.
Yogabellies, based in The Luna Centre at St James Retail Park, was at risk of folding after being shut down at the start of lockdown.
Run by Jackton mum-of-three Annie Perry, the centre for learning, wellbeing and growth has proved to be a lifeline for worried expectant mums during the outbreak.
Providing relaxing yoga classes, fertility support, antenatal advice and weekly webinars on topics such as breastfeeding, the facility is hailed among its members for having a positive impact on both mental and physical health.
Now, three weeks after it’s future faced uncertainty, the business is thriving after taking the leap online.
Annie told the News: “We have a thriving community of women supporting women so both me and my business partner were devastated when we had to close the centre’s doors due to COVID-19.
“Yogabellies offers classes for pregnant ladies, postnatal ladies, women struggling with their fertility and women at all stages of life.
“I was ready to throw in the towel when we closed the doors, but I soon realised my community needed me.
“I quickly set up my home-filming studio in my garage and it’s really taken off – I have been blown away with the fact that they have all stayed with me and log on every week for their yoga.”
Annie stressed the importance of her classes at this time as pregnant women struggle to come to terms with such drastic changes to their pre- and postnatal care.
As well as not being allowed a birth partner along to ultrasound scans and restrictions on when birth partners can be in the delivery room leaving many women fearing the prospect of giving birth alone, all homebirths and antenatal classes have been cancelled.
New mums are also struggling to cope with not being able to show off their new bundle of joy to family and friends and getting that much-needed extra support in early infancy.
Women struggling to conceive have also had all hopes of conception dashed with the cancellation of fertility treatments.
Annie added: “It’s awful for them just now, there is so much worry. They are a section of society devastated by this.
“I am supporting them all via my yoga classes and the feedback from them has been amazing. The women are finding it a wee lifeline.”
Annie, who is qualified in birth preparation, teaches yoga to around 15 members each week, and last week led a fertility yoga session for the charity Fertility Network Scotland which a whopping 300 women signed up for across the UK.
The classes are specifically designed to enhance fertility by helping women de-stress with relaxation techniques while enhancing blood flow to the ovaries.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Annie exclaimed. “I was so nervous but, again, the feedback was incredible.
“I am so passionate about riding this wave and making my business survive this terrible time. My classes are all about building a community, it’s so rewarding.”