Let’s start at the beginning. Sarah, tell us a little about yourself. What’s the story that shaped who you are today?

I didn’t grow up as a sporty kid—I was into beat poetry and philosophy. Movement came later, as a response to anxiety and feeling untethered at university. It wasn’t about changing my body; it was about finding my way back into it. That shift—realising movement is a bridge back to the self—shaped everything I do now. My love of poetry and philosophy is woven into the fabric of SALA, from our Instagram captions, to the mission statements I lead the team with, to the storytelling within my own classes.

 

What does Sala mean, and what does it mean to you?

SALA is actually an acronym for Sarah Lindsay. I wanted a name that had no preconceived associations, so people could meet it unfiltered. The intention was always to create a third space—not home, not work, but somewhere you could land, breathe, and feel held. Movement is the vehicle, but the heart of Sala is connection.

 

Was there a moment when you just knew that opening your own multidisciplinary movement studio was what you were meant to do?

Not one moment, but a million little ones. Seeing how disjointed fitness felt—how rigid, how unattuned to people’s actual lives—I knew there had to be another way. I wanted a space that honored the evolving seasons of a person’s life, where movement could be fluid, intuitive, and expansive.

The wellness space can sometimes feel like it leans a little masculine. What has your journey been like as a woman leading your own studio?

It’s been both beautiful and brutal. The industry wasn’t built for women, and you feel that when you’re trying to carve out a different way of doing things. I’ve been overlooked in favor of my husband, talked down to in conversations, and questioned in ways I know a male founder wouldn’t be. But I don’t play by their rules—I built my own. And that’s the real win.

Wellbeing is so personal and looks different for everyone. What does it mean to you, and how does that show up in your day-to-day?

Wellbeing, to me, is being in conversation with yourself. It’s not rigid routines or punishing discipline—it’s fluid, intuitive, and ever-changing. Some days, it’s movement. Some days, it’s doing absolutely nothing. It’s learning to listen, then honoring what you hear.

You guide people through the shifting seasons of their lives in such a beautiful way. What does that look like in practice?

It means movement that meets you where you are. It means knowing there will be seasons of intensity and seasons of softness, and that both are valid. Whether someone is postpartum, perimenopausal, or just burned out, I want Sala to be a place where they feel seen, supported, and strong in whatever way that looks for them.

There’s something really special about the way women show up for each other. How do you cultivate that kind of community at Sala?

It starts with culture—how we treat each other, how we hold space.  We cultivate that by setting clear boundaries—no phones, no late entry—so everyone is fully present. It’s about intention, not just space. At first, structure can feel restrictive, but true community thrives when we honor the collective. Boundaries are kindness, and from them, real connection grows.

For women feeling stretched thin, what’s one small shift that can create more balance and breathing room in their lives?

Boundaries. They don’t make you selfish—they make you sustainable.

Your biggest lesson in business, life, or both?

You can do anything, but not everything.

Style says so much about who we are. How would you describe yours?

A mix of modern simplicity and organic monochrome—clean lines, soft textures, timeless pieces. Somewhere between East London and a sunlit artist’s studio.

And finally, what’s next for Sala? Any exciting dreams or plans on the horizon?

Always. We’re deepening our roots in art, culture, and community—expanding the way we experience movement beyond just classes. Think collaborations, immersive experiences, and finding new ways to bring people together.

 

 

Quick fire questions:

 

A song that instantly brings you back to balance?

The sleep remixes y max richter

 

A quote that always grounds you?

Leap and the net will appear

 

Your go-to autumn ritual is…

Long walks, lots of layers.

 

Your favorite way to move your body?

Anything that feels good that day—running, lifting, or just stretching on the floor.

 

Self-care to you in one word is…

Permission.

 

One thing you’d tell your younger self?

You don’t have to prove your worth—just exist in it.

 

If you could invite three women (past or present) to a dinner party, who would they be?

Patti Smith, Frida Kahlo, and Anaïs Nin.