Business is booming at Oak Om, Oakham's newly-relaunched dedicated yoga and pilates studio.

Formerly known as the Hotbox Yoga Oakham, located behind Oakham Castle, the studio was officially opened a week ago by new co-owners yoga teacher Hanri van Wyk and studio manager Steve Ward.

Oakham mayor David Romney and his partner Di Smith attended the launch of the Church Passage premises - with Coun Romney even joining in an acro yoga pose.

Steve told Oakham Nub News: "It was really exciting to have so many people turn up at the opening who were interested in yoga, pilates and tai chi, but had never tried these classes.

"Our teachers were on-hand to support the re-launch of the studio and answer questions.

"The Mayor of Oakham really enjoyed participating in some of our movements.

"The Acro yoga pose he was helped into was called the 'Throne Pose'.

"He spoke briefly about important it was for new and old business owners to collaborate with each other - which is exactly what is happening here as the previous owners, Jade and Ailsa, are teaching at Oak Om.

"We have had a wonderful week following the relaunch event and have been inundated with messages from students keen to try beginners yoga classes.

"As a result we have added a mix of set beginners courses as well as weekly beginner-friendly classes that can be attended on a flexible basis to allow more choice.

"We have had a great response to adding tai chi, silver stretch yoga and yoga nidra to our timetable, the latter is a completely non-physical class where students literally just lie down and go into deep guided relaxation for an hour."

A new two-hour Sun Power Master Class launches on Saturday (25 Jan), which local teacher Regina Padma Rintchen will be offering once a month.

The workshop is already nearly sold out and will allow experienced yoga students to explore a more advanced form of dynamic yoga.

Oak Om Yoga Studio will also be holding a fun one-off 'not-just-for-couples' Partner Yoga Session on Valentine's day.

"We have so many workshop ideas that the year ahead doesn't seem long enough to offer everything we have in mind," added Steve.

In addition to bringing nine brand new, on top of the existing four, contracting job opportunities to the town for local teachers, the relaunch also provides space rental opportunities for local therapists.