Namaste to new Wellingborough yoga centre

Raj Rajani moved to Wellingborough 25 years ago after meeting her husband Rakesh at university whilst they were both studying accountancy.

Although she already used meditation in her life it was after having her children, who are now teenagers, that she started to practice yoga more deeply.

The 51-year-old mum-of-two said: "My background in Jainism is a way of life that uses meditation.

"When I had my first child I started to practice yoga. Then when my son was about two-years-old, I started to deepen my practice by doing courses and from that I did teacher training.

"When I started yoga I was suffering from anxiety and depression - it was post-natal. I had talking therapies and it became apparent that's what it was.

"Yoga and meditation really changes people. I had no intention to take classes but as soon as you know it's good for people I had to do it."

It was when space came available in Diana's Health & Fitness Club in Wellingborough where Raj and Rakesh are co-directors with three other families, that she decided to open a yoga studio.

Raj, a forensic accountant and yoga teacher, said: "Last March, at Diana's, we were closing the Ruby Lounge and I said we should open a yoga studio. Since then that's all I've done.

"I've had so much help from the directors, friends, family and staff at Diana's so I've not been alone.

"We all want to do something for the community and be a well-established well-being centre."

Yogada Studio's eleven teachers will offer classes to all ages from pregnant mums to people in their 90s including chair, baby and children's Hatha yoga, meditation, tai chi, Feldencrais and Pilates.

Raj will take many of the classes juggling her day job with her role at Yogada using her meditation techniques to see her though her hectic schedule.

She said: "I use yogic meditation of breath work, chanting and silence. You feel completely re-energised. It's like having a power nap.

"Yogada Studios is a place of compassion and non-judgment, with the aim of being a communal core of its town, allowing people of all ages to come away from the business and stressful demands of life.

"It is a place that is filled with vitality, positive energy, openness and affection and the perfect place to find serenity, togetherness and relaxation."

Free taster sessions are available on Mondays from 12.15pm to 12.45pm.

Visit www.yogadastudios.com for more information.