History

The elbowroom opened its doors in February 2003. Lisa Wilkinson, who had been teaching yoga locally since 1998, decided that teaching in community and church halls and other such like establishments, was not the ideal senario. Instead, whilst pregnant, Lisa renovated a delipidated old building. Renovated meaning, she put in the central heating, updated the wiring and helped lay the floor herself.

With her newly equiped plumbing skills and the imminet arrival of a baby the studio opened it’s doors offering just a handful of classes taught by Lisa and her friend Susan Church. By a process of determination and organic growth, the studio took off and became a great sucess. After the arrival of baby Tuilelaith, Lisa was soon back at work introducing more classes aimed at the wider community. Both low cost and charity classes and familly orientated classes were now on offer.

Through the help and dedication staff, teachers and therapists, The centre continued to grow and grow. Two years after opening, Lisa opened a second studio and this time hired a crack team of Polish builders to do the hard graft. This time with underfloor heating, showers and changing facilities, the second studio was home to hot yoga and a plethora of treatments.

Then disaster struck, after 4 years and 9 months, Lisa was informed that the original studio lease would not be renewed as the landlords wanted to avoid her getting long term tennants rights. Undeterred for four long months, Lisa with the help of dedicated customers barraged any TD or senator who would listen. Eventually a bill was pushed through the Dail but too late for the lease. The premises was re-let to other tennants. A very sad time for all concerned.

Then, a miracle happend. The tennants left, and as the bill was now law, Lisa could renounce her long term rights and the lease was hers again. Hooray. The studio got a revamp and was reopened. Much to the delight of her amazing pilates teachers and clients who endured a much smaller room for over a year.

Now, with two studio’s fully functional, a comprehensive schedule of classes to suit absolutely everyone, The elbowroom is embarking on opening a new clinic. In a recession. Madness!