FAQ

Here are some of the questions we are most frequently asked. Please get in touch if you can’t find the information you need – or drop in for a chat.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

  • Good question. We chose the name HOME because we wanted to create a warm, welcoming space that gives you the feeling of coming home. It’s also a nod to our original yoga centre in Primrose Hill.

  • Yes, we do. Our showers are stocked with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, all made by our amazing partner, Austin Austin.

  • Yes to both questions! Or feel free to bring your own. The cost is £2 for a mat and £2 for a towel – unless you have a membership, in which case there’s no charge for either. Our studio mats are made by Jade Yoga.

  • Yes, we do. And you don’t even need to ransack your house in search of a pound coin – they’re free to use.

  • We have step free access throughout our building and we are located on the ground floor.

    Our café, yoga and Pilates studios, treatments rooms, changing facilities, toilets and showers are all accessible for wheelchair users.

    We regret to say that our sauna is not wheelchair accessible.

  • We don’t have our own car park but you can pay to park locally and on weekends and evenings there are also some free spaces available. However, if you can, we recommend visiting by bike (there are plenty of bike racks within the courtyard and just outside) or by public transport. Go to our Find Us page for more information.

  • To help create a relaxing, welcoming environment where everyone feels connected and present, we kindly ask that you remove ear pods and switch mobile devices to silent before entering the building. Phones may be used in the welcome area only (but please avoid calls). After that, we ask that devices be turned off completely and put away. We appreciate you joining us in maintaining a calm, peaceful space.

  • Friendly, well-behaved dogs are very welcome to pop in, say hello, and hang out in the reception area and café – as long as they’re accompanied by their human at all times. However, dogs can’t join you in class, and as much as we’d love to, we’re not able to look after them in reception.

  • Yes, we have a far-infrared sauna which is free for anyone taking a class or having a treatment to use. Read more about it here.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOGA AND MAT PILATES

  • You can start by dropping into any Level 1 or Open Level class – just let the teacher know it’s your first class. Alternatively, you can join a beginners' course, where you'll learn week by week in a supportive group environment alongside fellow beginners. Be sure to check out our intro offers, designed to help you explore different styles and try various teachers to find the classes you love.

  • Both yoga and Pilates are breath-centred practices that connect mind and body. The key difference is that yoga also includes a philosophical tradition and a spiritual dimension.

  • We understand it can be difficult to always be on time, especially in London. However, arriving at the start of a class is important for your well-being, as it allows you to follow the teacher’s carefully planned ‘warm-up’ sequence and ease into your practice mindfully. Therefore, for most classes, including all HOT classes, if you’re more than five minutes late, it’s up to the individual teacher’s discretion whether you can join. For post-natal classes, feel free to join at any time – being on time with a baby in London is another thing entirely!

  • If you don’t have your own mat, you can hire one of ours at a cost of £2 per class (free if you have an ‘Unlimited’ membership). We are proud to use recycled and recyclable mats by German brand hejhej. If you’re going to a sweat-inducing class, we encourage you to bring a fabric ‘top mat’ or towel to lay on top of the studio mat. We also have a range of mats available to buy in our shop (online or at the studio).

  • Yoga and Pilates are both practised barefoot. Wear clothing that you feel comfortable in and that allows for free movement. Breathable layers work well. Form-fitting clothes tend to work better than baggy ones, especially since you may go upside down (and you probably don’t want a T-shirt over your face). For dynamic classes and HOME Hot, sweat-wicking clothing is ideal, and a small hand towel can be very useful.

  • It's recommended to avoid practising yoga or Pilates during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first 14 weeks). After this time, both practices can be very beneficial for pregnancy, birth and beyond. We offer dedicated Pregnancy Yoga classes – no prior experience is necessary. Our Pilates Equipment Studio sessions are also ideal for both prenatal and postnatal support. If you’re a more experienced yoga or Mat Pilates student, you can continue your practice in our regular classes after your first trimester provided you have received approval from your medical practitioner. Participation is also at the discretion of your teacher so please speak to them before the beginning of the class. Maika Klaukien specialises in Perinatal Pilates so do look out for her regular Mat Pilates classes.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REFORMER & EQUIPMENT PILATES

  • For Reformer Pilates, simply book in for a Foundation (Level 1) class that suits your schedule. Please arrive a few minutes early so that you can speak to the teacher and let them know it’s your first class.

    We ask all newcomers to Equipment Pilates at HOME, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, to complete a Starter Assessment. You can book online, call us on 020 4553 3344 or simply drop by and book in person. A Starter Assessment allows our friendly and experienced teachers to work with you to create a bespoke programme tailored to your individual needs and goals.

  • The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and that your clothing allows for free movement. Many people find that form-fitting, breathable layers work best – baggy trousers can get caught in the equipment, and it’s a good idea to remove long necklaces or oversized jewellery for the same reason. For Reformer Pilates, you’ll also need socks with grippy soles, which are available to buy in our shop.

  • Please aim to arrive ten minutes before your session is due to start. For Reformer Pilates group sessions we regret that, for your safety and wellbeing, we can’t admit latecomers.

  • Pilates is suitable for everybody, whether you're flexible or find stretching challenging. It can improve mobility and flexibility over time. If you experience stiffness or tightness in certain areas, your teacher can modify the movements, allowing you to progress at your own pace.

  • You’re never too old to start Pilates! It’s a ‘low impact’ form of exercise so a safe way to build strength, support joints, maintain bone density, look after your heart and increase your flexibility, balance and co-ordination without putting the body under undue strain.

  • It’s generally recommended that you don’t practise Pilates during the first trimester of your pregnancy (the first 14 weeks). After this time, however, Pilates can be a safe and effective form of exercise to support both prenatal health and postnatal recovery. With approval from your medical practitioner, we recommend joining our Equipment Studio sessions which can be tailored to your needs. Please let your teacher know you are pregnant. At this time we’re unfortunately unable to accommodate pregnant students in our Reformer Pilates classes but we’re excited to be launching dedicated Pre & Postnatal Reformer Pilates sessions soon.

QUESTIONS ABOUT TREATMENTS

  • You can rest assured that every treatment offered at HOME has been thoughtfully curated and each therapist carefully selected. However, when it comes to treatments, it’s really about what works for you. Reading about our treatments is a great first step in choosing one that you think will be beneficial. You can also give us a call or drop by for a chat with one of our knowledgeable front-of-house staff.