Studio of the Month: Core Clapton

Core Clapton is more than just a yoga studio! As a charity, osteopath clinic, event space and community space, we at Yogamatters love everything they stand for. After hosting our Urban Retreat with Ekhart Yoga at Core last year, we were thrilled to be back and recently use the beautiful main hall for a photoshoot. We spoke to Core founder and CEO Danny Orchard about what Core is all about. Read on to learn more about Core and get a glimpse of the beautiful images from the Yogamatters and Gossypium shoots.

Tell us all about what Core Clapton is and what you stand for?

Core Clapton is a charity founded in 2017 with the aim of making osteopathy and wellness accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Core stands for the Center for Osteopathic Research and Excellence, which indicates our secondary goal, which is to study the positive effects of osteopathy on the lives of people, particularly those with chronic pain. Ultimately, we believe that everyone has the right to a pain-free life and we want to make osteopathy accessible to everyone.

Rather than relying on grants and donations (which we gratefully accept), our business model is based on charging normal high street prices for osteopathy, therapies and courses to those who can afford it, and renting out our beautiful events space to subsidize the cost of wellness for those on low incomes and Universal Credit.

What was your vision when you created Core Clapton and did this come to light?

I came up with the idea while working for Goldman Sachs as an in-house osteopath. Employees would crawl from their desks to me and I would treat them and allow them to go right back to work. At the same time, however, the NHS refused to employ osteopaths because it was believed that most pain would resolve spontaneously given time. This struck me as strange since chronic pain has increased exponentially over the past few decades and now accounts for 1 in 3 of the adult population. And if Goldmans saw the benefit of osteopathy in getting its employees back to work quickly, then why shouldn't those who need it most, the underfunded sectors of our community, have the same opportunity? It was thanks to the support of one of my patients, Bobby Vedral, who was a partner at the time and provided the initial seed funding to establish the charity. After three years, we have seen over 2,000 patients, 50% of which were subsidized through our Robin Hood pricing model. We are also now receiving more referrals from local GPs and social care practitioners who see osteopathy as a way to get people off painkillers and get them back to the things they enjoy.

We know that the Core is much more than a yoga studio. How do you help your local community?

As well as yoga and pilates we also offer some really interesting classes for the local community. Social singing on a Friday is great as it brings together a group of people across generations to improve their wellbeing through group singing. However, we primarily help the community by trying to reduce the burden of chronic pain on a patient-by-patient basis and by showing the medical community that so-called complementary treatments can sometimes be life-changing.

We love your bright and versatile upstairs studio space. What do you love most about this space?

My favorite aspect is the beautiful Edwardian barrel vaulted ceiling which really accentuates the space and highlights the amazing light from all the original sash windows. Everyone is always so surprised when they leave the street and enter the main hall. People literally don't expect to see such an amazing space in the depths of Hackney.

Core Clapton is a registered charity and we know you do incredible work. How can others best support and support you?

By simply using our services, be it for osteopathy, wellness or renting our space for a photo shoot, you can help fund our charity and support those less fortunate. We would also greatly appreciate donations of any size that would directly contribute to continuing to provide our services. You can visit our JustGiving page to find out more Here.

What is your vision for the future?

My vision for Core is for it to be the go-to destination for wellness in East London. And osteopathy to be seen on the NHS across the country.

To learn more about Core Clapton, visit their website Hereand follow them on InstagramHere.