Kelly McHugh, Founder, Good Yoga Life

Imagine going into your Chaturanga over looking the Thames and the London eye, following that you sit back relaxed from your practice with a gin and tonic watching the sun set over the city... this is just one of the urban retreats/events that Good Yoga Life offer to it's yogi's. Not only do they do pop up yoga events all over the city, they also do a rather cool surf and yoga retreat, which is exactly how I stumbled across them. Kelly is the brains behind this wonderful idea, I caught up with her about her latest event and where she got this wonderful idea from.

How did you turn your passion into a career and what do you love about it? 

I was 15 years in marketing before I finally shut that door to go on my own and launch Good Yoga Life.

That was November 2015 and it’s been an incredible journey so far. I held my first yoga retreat in Ibiza for 20 guests, which was a massive success. I’m back out there in May (three spots left!) and then to France in June for a weekend yoga and surfing retreat. 

Last summer saw Good Yoga Life bring yoga underground to Old Street Station for a week-long pop up, a weekly residency onboard the Benefit Cosmetics Boat and a disco yoga closing party at Soul Circus Festival.

It’s still early days but the response to GoodYoga Life has been phenomenal! I’ve seen a little community build up who are coming back to classes and events over and over and it’s just magic! I want to keep bringing new things to our community, turning things on their head, thinking out of the box, making yoga fun and social. Sometimes it might seem wacky but I have a vision and so far people are loving it!

Why do you think yoga has taken off in such a big way and how do you think it will develop in the future?

It was inevitable that sooner or later, people would start to see the need to slow down! We’re all in the same boat, rushing around from a to b, fitting it as much as we can into our day and feeling guilty when we don’t get it all done.

People are starting to see all of this more clearly now and they’re feeling the impact it’s having on their health, their relationships and everything else. They’re seeking something else and this is where yoga is playing its part. It’s the calm to the storm, the yin to the yang and it offers the chance to slow down and breathe! You only have to get on the mat a few times to feel these real benefits.  

I think we’re going to see a lot more mass meditation classes and events and other styles of yoga becoming popular such as yin and restorative. As long as London continues to offer high quality studios and teachers, the yoga boom will continue.

Where do you eat, shop and sweat in London? 

Eat – Redemption Bar on Old Street. Perfect post yoga, catch up with friends, healthy vegan food joint. 

Shop – Lululemon is my yoga gear of choice. I also love Yoga Leggs for their fun and colourful designs and nice fabrics.

Sweat – BLOK in Clapton. I’m there most days for yoga, Calisthenics, and everything else. Teachers and classes are great and really fun!

What is your favourite pop up or event to date?

My favourite Good Yoga Life pop up so far has been Yoga Supper Club. I started running this at the start of 2015 as a monthly pop up when I was still working full time. I’m now 22 events in, numerous London venues, hundreds of happy yogis and to top it off “best healthy alternative night out” by Grazia Magazine.

My focus now is on monthly themed events so February sees Yin&Gin, a Valentine’s TLC Yoga Brunch, Find Your Goddess workshop and lots more!

Outside of Good Yoga Life, Lululemon’s Sweatlife at the Tobacco Docks was definitely up there! The space, the teachers and the variety of classes were top notch. 

Five items you can't live without? 

Mascara, Lululemon yoga mat, avocado, journal, Well+Happy organic matcha chocolate.

www.goodyogalife.com