The holistic hub is focussed on community and connection
Jess Alice has re-located her pilates and wellbeing studio Divinity from Brunswick Street to a larger premises on Scott Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
A holistic hub has opened in a town centre offering a combination of popular exercise and wellbeing classes. Jessica Alice, 28, has expanded Divinity Studios in Newcastle-under-Lyme to a bigger premises due to popular demand.
Pilates – including both mat and reformer classes – yoga, breathwork and sound healing classes take place at the Scott Street studio seven days a week. Its focus is ‘community and connection’, and Jess has lots of creative ways to bring people together in sober and spiritual social events.
The young woman formerly worked at Harplands Hospital and is neuro-divergent and disability friendly. She wants everyone to feel welcome, and hopes to give people confidence to attend the classes – which are designed for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Jess, who trained in California 10 years ago and started teaching pilates four years ago, said: “Pilates is popular in bigger cities so people are thrilled that there’s a place for them to do it close by. It isn’t easy, it’s really challenging but it’s a great way for all people to get fit.
“It makes you feel so good because you move with a beautiful flow and breathwork, it has good energy and makes you look good too. It gives off good energy so it’s quite addictive. We’ve had lots of clients from our old space that have stayed with us.
Jess Alice has re-located her pilates and wellbeing studio Divinity from Brunswick Street to a larger premises on Scott Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
“We want to highlight the reformer pilates because it’s the first ever in Newcastle and we’re very inclusive, we’re rooted in community and connection and we want the space to be a sanctuary for people to come and look after their mind, body and soul. People say they have a rough day at work but then they come here and it makes them feel so much better.
“Lots of our clients are middle aged and have been recommended to try pilates by physiotherapists because of back pain and things, and it really helps with that. Men come, which is amazing because it takes away the stereotype that it’s just for women, and we have a men’s yoga class on Tuesdays.”
Jess Alice has re-located her pilates and wellbeing studio Divinity from Brunswick Street to a larger premises on Scott Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
Talking about her previous experience and how it’s helped to shape the business, Jess added: “I was working in Harplands [Hospital] through the pandemic and I would do activities with the patients, such as exercise and breathwork, and I love helping people. Then I became a physiotherapy technician there and I worked with people with learning disabilities.
“I’ve really thought about colours, audio and scent to get the vibe nice and relaxing. It’s really cosy and tranquil here. We have a disabled toilet downstairs and we’re neuro-diverse friendly. We’re really welcoming and we want people to be themselves, we don’t want people to feel judged by anyone – I’ve always been one for people who feel like they don’t fit in anywhere and have nowhere to go.”
Jess Alice has re-located her pilates and wellbeing studio Divinity from Brunswick Street to a larger premises on Scott Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
Jess is also hosting various holistic, creative and mindful events at Divinity Studios, and has already hosted a Mother’s Circle session. She told StokennTrentLive: “I love community events and getting people together. I’m going to be doing workshops on weekends – I used to do meditation and flow on a Sunday morning and I’d offer cake and coffee afterwards.
“I’m starting to do sober events – in the old studio we had a DJ and at the end they played guitar and we were all snuggled under blankets drinking cacao – it was lovely. I’m happy to holistically collaborate with anyone who has ideas they want to host here. I’m hoping to do more creative arts events in future, we’ve got a Diwali event coming up and the lady [cohosting] has got a short film to put on and she does poetry and meditation and writing exercises.”
The class timetable varies week-by-week, so Jess and her team advise people to book in advance via the website here, and to follow her on Instagram and Facebook for updates and announcements. Divinity Studios currently offers packages alongside booking individual classes, including 10 mat pilates classes for £85 to use within three months, and reformer pilates costing five classes for £95 or 10 classes for £165.
Jess Alice has re-located her pilates and wellbeing studio Divinity from Brunswick Street to a larger premises on Scott Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
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