Kate Comer, a single mother of two, has become accustomed to managing her finances carefully. However, the unexpected closure of the yoga studio where she worked in September, which resulted in her not receiving two months’ pay, has significantly heightened her sense of anxiety.
“I’m in shock right now,” she expressed, estimating her financial loss to be around £1,500. “I’m deeply worried about what the future holds.”
Comer is among approximately 100 yoga instructors who did not receive their last paychecks after the abrupt shutdown of Triyoga, a well-known yoga studio in London. Additionally, instructors from its affiliated fitness brands, including Barrecore, Boom Cycle, Kobox, and Reformcore, have also reported financial losses due to the closures.
Yoga instructors who shared their experiences with the Guardian felt blindsided by the sudden demise of the studio, leaving many struggling to meet essential expenses. Some are even facing the prospect of homelessness.
“It’s completely unacceptable, and as freelancers, we feel powerless,” Comer remarked. Currently navigating a divorce, she worries that her sudden income loss could jeopardize her ability to maintain her family’s residence. While seeking alternative employment, she noted, “the market is flooded with numerous teachers.”
All five fitness brands, including Triyoga, are owned by Common Bond, which declared on September 24 that it would be “temporarily suspending trading.”
In August, bailiffs visited Triyoga’s Shoreditch location. Soon after, the studio began delaying payments to its instructors, which prompted some to consider taking industrial action. While a few teachers received late payments on August 21, none were paid on the expected date of September 14, as reported by the instructors.
Like many fitness establishments, Triyoga faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the closure of its Soho branch in April 2022 after 17 years of operation. The studio was acquired by United Fitness Brands (UFB) in January 2022, but after UFB’s liquidation in 2025, Common Bond, led by former UFB director Robert Rowland and supported by the investment firm Nectar Capital, took over its assets. Rowland stepped down as director in May 2026, at which point the extent of Common Bond’s debts to HMRC became apparent. A winding-up petition was filed on September 18. Rowland, who is now chief of staff at a wellness company and also a director of a pub that is facing similar financial issues, is currently under investigation by Nectar Capital regarding his management of the business.
Instructors from the affected studios and those associated with Common Bond have raised concerns that this situation may exemplify “phoenixing,” a practice where directors dissolve a company to escape debts and subsequently establish a new one to continue operations. While legal, this practice raises ethical questions if misused.
Common Bond is in the process of insolvency to settle its debts with HMRC, and it is believed that the fitness brands are being put up for sale.
Teachers have noted that recent cost-cutting strategies have altered the environment at Triyoga, which first launched in Primrose Hill in 2000. They were instructed to utilize AI-generated music instead of Spotify to avoid music licensing fees, and eco-friendly products were replaced with cheaper alternatives.
Robin Catto, a teacher at Triyoga for 26 years, remarked that the studio, once frequented by celebrities like Kate Moss and Jude Law, was “groundbreaking” for its diverse offerings and was cherished for its strong sense of community. He noted that, although UFB initially “rescued” Triyoga, it soon became evident that they did not appreciate the deeper essence of yoga, leading to a dilution of its atmosphere.
Davy Jones, chair of the Yoga Teachers’ Union, expressed doubt that any teachers would receive payment. “This should serve as a wake-up call for yoga instructors to recognize that they are part of the gig economy, similar to Uber and Deliveroo drivers,” he stated. The union is pursuing a legal case to advocate for yoga teachers to attain the same rights as Uber drivers.
Jones criticized the yoga community for being overly trusting and somewhat naive in business, especially with the increasing involvement of profit-driven multinational corporations, private equity, and hedge funds in the fitness sector. He urged teachers to become more organized.
Students have also felt the repercussions of the studio closures. Ciara Regan, who purchased a year-long membership for £180 per month due to its mental health benefits, noted that she became concerned when classes were frequently canceled at the last minute, and later when all online presence vanished. “Everyone has been left in the dark,” she lamented. “I wish there had been some communication; it’s irresponsible.”
Several other studios in London, such as Home and Mission, which are operated by former Triyoga staff, have welcomed ex-Triyoga students to utilize their unused credits. Jonathan Sattin, the original founder of Triyoga who now leads Home, acknowledged the difficulties of managing studios, citing high business rates and VAT as major challenges that need to be addressed.
As new gyms continue to emerge in urban areas, competition in the fitness industry has intensified. David Minton, an industry analyst at Evolve, observed that boutique gyms focusing on a single style, aside from the popular reformer Pilates, have experienced a slowdown in growth compared to those diversifying their offerings with strength training and wellness amenities like saunas and cold plunge facilities.
Nectar Capital has opted not to comment on the situation, and Rowland has been contacted for his input.
