A new yoga initiative in Salford is helping residents unwind while building new social connections through classes that combine mindfulness with coffee, wine and conversation.
The Yoga Social Club runs weekly sessions around Chapel Street and the Salford Central area, offering a relaxed environment where people can practise yoga and stay afterwards to socialise.
The local instructor, Jess Cooke, who leads the sessions, said the idea came from her experience returning to Greater Manchester and struggling to meet new people.
“I moved back after being away for a while and realised I didn’t really have anywhere to meet like-minded people,” she said. “I also love yoga, so I wanted to create a community where people could come together in a space of wellbeing and connection.”
The Salford classes are part of a wider Yoga Social Club initiative founded by Chrissie in Urmston around three years ago, intending to create small local communities through yoga.
Unlike traditional yoga classes, the sessions are designed to continue beyond the practice itself.
Participants are encouraged to stay afterwards for coffee or wine, allowing them to get to know others in the group.
“A lot of yoga classes finish when the yoga ends,” the instructor said. “But the whole idea of Yoga Social Club is that people stay afterwards, have a drink and chat with others.”
The classes attract a mix of attendees, though many are beginners trying yoga for the first time.
“I get a lot of people who say they’ve never been to a yoga class before and find it intimidating,” she explained. “We offer lots of modifications and explanations so everyone can follow along.”
The sessions are particularly popular with young professionals and students living in the Salford Central area.
According to the instructor, yoga offers a break from the busy pace of city life and constant digital connection.
“People spend a lot of time on their phones or sitting at desks,” she said. “Yoga gives them a chance to switch off from everyday distractions and just focus on themselves for a while.”
Since launching the classes in November, she has already noticed people becoming more relaxed and confident in the group.
“The first time people come they can be a bit nervous,” she said. “But when they come back the following week, they start recognising faces and chatting before the class even begins.”
The club currently runs two weekly sessions.
A Wednesday evening class is followed by drinks and tapas, while a Saturday morning session ends with coffee in a nearby café – offering what the instructor describes as “a really nice start to the weekend.”
Each class includes around an hour of vinyasa flow yoga before the group heads to a café or bar to continue the social side of the event.
“I hope people leave feeling calmer and more grounded,” she said. “But also that they’ve had a nice time connecting with others.”
Looking ahead, the Yoga Social Club aims to continue expanding in Salford.
Alongside the weekly classes, the instructor is planning monthly events and larger gatherings throughout the year to help grow the community.
“The main goal is to keep building the community and helping people meet others who live nearby,” she said.
