About Me & Lakes Yoga

Welcome to Lakes Yoga Studio, Windermere

I’m Carly, founder and owner of Lakes Yoga Studio, a warm and welcoming old barn studio next to Lake Windermere, in the beautiful Lake District.

Outside of the studio, I’m a big believer in enjoying the simple things in life. I need my daily dose of nature – whether that’s walking the dog, trail running in the fells or hiking with my husband. I love lifting weights, playing games with my family, and I’m happiest when there’s good food involved – cooking it, eating it or talking about it! I make time for myself and practice what I preach!

I’m not particularly one for nights out and would much rather be at home, although I do love going to see live music with my teenage son. My friendships tend to revolve around going for walks and runs, having a brew or attending a Yoga class together.

My Yoga journey began when I was about 13 years old. I used to go to classes with my mum, held in an old people’s home, where all the ladies would bring their own zip-up sleeping bags for Savasana… and then proceed to snore their way through it!

Even back then, I remember noticing the importance of having some ‘me time’ – slowing down, relaxing and simply being. I also remember being amazed by our seventy-something Yoga teacher and thinking how wonderfully supple she was!

Over the years, I dipped in and out of Yoga classes, experiencing different teachers, venues and styles. At university, while studying for my degree in Psychology, I became increasingly interested in mental health and emotional wellbeing, and my interest in Yoga deepened alongside it.

I even bought myself a Yoga book full of different postures and took it backpacking around the world with me, practising beside my tent in all sorts of places. Looking back, I think Yoga was gradually becoming part of who I was – keeping me grounded as I moved around the globe.

After university and travelling, I worked in Clinical Psychology, including within a number of mental health institutions and prisons. It was challenging and often intense work, supporting people with very complex needs. Alongside this, I ran relaxation sessions and saw first-hand how powerful breath, stillness, rest and connection to the body could be. Even in some of the hardest environments, these simple practices could create moments of calm and peace.

Life then took me in a few different directions. I opened a veggie café here in the Lakes with my husband Gareth (who I have been with since I was 17 years old!), became a mum, and when my son Jacob was two, I began a two-year Yoga teacher training course with the British Wheel of Yoga in 2012. It was proper, in-depth training – none of this fast-track online malarkey… (dont get me started!).

I qualified in 2014 with Simon Low – The Yoga Academy. During my training I was already teaching classes in the evenings at my café. From there, I hired all sorts of venues and essentially carried a mobile Yoga studio around in the boot of my car – blankets, bolsters, blocks, straps and all!

Over the years, I’ve loved teaching regular weekly classes, workshops and retreats abroad and in the UK, while continuing to learn from different Yoga disciplines and approaches. Even now, I still consider myself a student of Yoga first and foremost and have done many trainings over the years in all sorts of forms of Yoga and Meditation. I believe Yoga is a lifelong practice of learning, self-inquiry and growth. 

From a dream to Lakes Yoga Studio

For years, I secretly dreamed of having a Yoga studio of my own (I think all Yoga teachers do).

Then came the pandemic. Like many teachers, I suddenly found myself teaching on Zoom, and I also lost the venues where I had been teaching my regular classes. At the time, I was absolutely gutted. But what initially felt devastating turned out to be one of the biggest blessings in disguise….It finally gave me the push to follow my dream.

And, as it happens, the story of how I found this studio feels a little bit like it was meant to be.

I had actually attended classes here myself in the past, including a Feldenkrais workshop with my husband. I remember turning to him and saying, “One day… I’m going to have this place.”

Then one afternoon after a Kids Yoga class in Grasmere, instead of driving home for the soup my husband had made me for lunch, I instinctively turned right at Cook’s Corner roundabout rather than going straight on. I pulled up outside the studio and unbelievably, the previous tenant, someone I had never met before, happened to be standing outside.

I walked straight up to him and said “Hello, my name’s Carly… I want your lease.”

And his response?

“Well, funny you should say that… because I need a bigger premises.”

And just like that, the pieces began to fall into place. A few months later, I had the keys, a new lease, and a Yoga studio of my very own. Plus lockdown restrictions finally lifted!! 

Lakes Yoga Studio opened its doors in May 2021, and I still feel incredibly grateful that this dream became a reality.

Of course, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing husband, who built so much of the studio with his own hands – from the mat racks and prop storage to the big table and even the loo roll holder! He made it all with so much love and continues to keep Lakes Yoga running behind the scenes in more ways than I could count.

More than just Yoga

I absolutely love teaching from this studio. I love the collective energy when we gather together. I love the quiet before a class begins. I love watching friendships form, hearing laughter and conversations, sharing cups of tea, and seeing people arrive as one person and leave looking and feeling just a little bit different. I love the workshops, the retreats, the breath, the stillness all of it.

My teaching is rooted in self-inquiry, connection and inner peace, while supporting strength, flexibility, balance, body awareness and a deeper connection to the breath.

I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of Yoga – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I also believe that caring for ourselves isn’t selfish – it’s essential. You truly cannot pour from an empty cup.

So, whether you’re joining me for a regular weekly class, dropping in while visiting the Lake District, booking private tuition, attending a workshop or retreat, celebrating with a hen party, or attending a womens circle for a brew and a slice of cake, you’ll always be welcome here.

There’s no competition, no judgement and no expectation. Just come as you are.

Thank you for being part of this journey, for supporting the studio, supporting me, and most importantly – supporting one another.

From my heart to yours…

Namaste xx

Carly