A new wellness studio, Danu, has opened in Cooperage Green (unit 8), offering yoga and various holistic therapies. We took the opportunity to catch up with the founder and owner, Lynn Sullivan, for a chat about the studio and her plans for the future.
Q: This is very exciting news! What brings you and your studio to Royal Clarence Yard?
A: I moved to Gosport last summer with my family and started to look around for a suitable place for my studio (previously in Eastleigh). I feel it was fate: I always wanted to move to Gosport. When I started to look, I knew I wanted a place with high ceilings, treatment rooms, windows which could be opened for fresh air (especially important with the Covid 19 precautions), better parking etc.... One day there was a "For Let" sign on one of the other units but I was shown Unit 8 and realised that it would be perfect!
Q: Please tell us a little about the studio, the treatments and classes. I notice you have "Aerial Hoops" on your list of classes as well as Yoga What are "Aerial Hoops"?
Aerial Arts are on equipment suspended from the ceiling. I specialise in Aerial Hoops and Aerial Hammock (or Aerial Yoga). Both teach acrobatics using either a metal hoop or fabric suspended from the ceiling. Anybody can do it! Perfect for those who love to fly!
I also teach Yoga following the Ayurvedic principles: guided by the Elements of Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth and the Evolution of Life. These are the principles I use in my life. However, everyone is different and what suits me may not be the same for someone else, so we would always suggest classes which suit individual needs.
We offer a range of Ayurvedic treatments which are tailored to the individual. We also offer other treatments such as facials, manicures, pedicures etc but the most popular treatments are massages, especially deep tissue massage.
We are currently open Wed, Fri & Sat in RCY.
Q: Can you tell us little bit about yourself, your training/expertise and your background?
I'm originally from Epsom and ended coming to Hampshire to study Media and Film at Winchester University. After graduation, I stayed on in Winchester for a while doing various jobs but quickly realised after a few weeks in London that Media & Film as a career was not for me. One day a little word "Reiki" (holistic healing) came into my head and I studied that for a while in Winchester. I then did a course in aromatherapy, loved it, decided to train in massage (at Eastleigh College) and every year over the last 14 years I have learned a handful of new techniques.
I always wanted to travel and was really lucky that my then boss gave me almost four months sabbatical. I went to Thailand for just over six weeks for an intense study of northern style Thai massage. Either side of the course in Thailand, I decided to go to China and India. I wasn't initially that fussed about India but when I arrived, there was just something about it - I felt like I was at home. I travelled from Rajasthan down to Goa and came across Ayurveda, Indian head massage and, in particular, the oils. It was amazing. I bought them home and gave them to to few people to try. I was thinking of going back to India to study but then discovered that the best teacher was actually in London. That was in 2010. So I studied at Ayurveda Pura and will continue to study there.
I have been doing Yoga on and off since I was a teenager. For me, back then, it was more about flexibility, it was not about the mind, whereas now I understand the holistic combination of Yoga for the mind and Ayurveda for the body.
Q: Any thoughts about your plans for the future?
We are planning to start classes (including children's classes) in May (hopefully), as soon as the government restrictions allow. And we are hoping to be open Tues - Sat from September (earlier if we can).
For more information and prices, please visit the Danu website. They are also on both Facebook and Instagram.
