A yoga instructor has opened a studio after a £100,000 transformation of a ladies’ gym.

Leyla Ramadan has created a permanent home for her House of Leyla members in Milton Road, Gravesend, after raising almost half of the money through an online fundraiser.

For about eight years, she had taught thousands of yoga classes and meditation sessions under the House of Leyla banner at hired venues across the area.

The 37-year-old had always wanted a place of her own so set up a crowdfunder in November last year to raise £30,000 for the lease and to change the layout of Shapers ladies’ gym.

Leyla was able to raise the money in just 28 days with the yoga community, friends, family and people from as far as Australia and NZ all chipping in.

She then spent the next nine months transforming the unit after securing further investment of £70,000 from Lets Do Business loans.

A grand opening was held at the end of September and the Gravesend resident said there was an “amazing” turnout, with 200 people enjoying free classes, food and non-alcoholic celebratory Nozecco.

She added: “I wanted to create a space where people felt at home, a place where people connect with others that are on a journey of self-growth, a wellness family if you like.

“We were able to raise the first part of funds via a Crowdfunder which gave us the kickstart we needed to make the space what it is today.

“We had House of Leyla members volunteering to help with painting, furniture making and spreading the word which has made it feel like a real community project and resonates with the feel of the space and our ethos of being of service to others.”

The House of Leyla offers a wide range of classes for “little yogis,” beginners and those who are more advanced in yoga.

There are also pilates classes, sound baths – where people meditate using sound waves – as well as meditation and treatment rooms.

A workspace has also been built with desks where people are able to “work from home”.

The workspace will have more desks, including standing desks as well as private pods in the future.

Other plans include making all areas accessible to people with disabilities, an ice bath and a sauna.

She also wants to launch a vegan cafe and mocktail bar to allow people to “spend the whole day here if they want to”.

“I had a vision that people can leisurely spend their day here working, relaxing, eating and taking part in classes,” Leyla added.

“A lot of people work from home now and sitting on chairs that are not meant for us to sit in all day, and being isolated it can be really difficult to be in that space all day.

“People are procrastinating a lot more. We’re picking our phones up and scrolling, so the workplace area is a really nice answer to that where people can have standing desks so they’re not sitting down all the time.”