Stepping into the WellNest studio in Kirkstall feels like entering a quiet pocket of calm.
Sunlight filters through the stained glass windows of the converted loft, casting colourful shadows on neatly stacked mats and cushions. It’s quiet and thoughtfully arranged; a space that reflects not only design choices, but also intention.
It’s here that I meet Harriet King, the founder of WellNest. As she sits across from me barefoot, relaxed and softly spoken, it’s immediately clear that this is more than a yoga studio; it’s the result of years of study, experience and deep personal growth.
Harriet’s journey into wellness is far from typical – completing her training in Qatar, shaped by teaching and studying in India, all backed by her Master’s in psychology, Harriet blends ancient practice with modern mental health tools.
Before launching WellNest, Harriet spent her earlier career days supporting children with special educational needs an experience that continues to inform her inclusive and heart-centred approach to yoga and wellbeing.
Though I’ve not taken one of her classes (yet), being in the studio makes it easy to imagine the sense of calm her students describe. Everything in the space feels deliberately placed to invite people in and help them let go. This isn’t your typical yoga studio. Rather than focus on one style or trend, Harriet has curated a schedule that reflects the rhythms of real life, from classes for energy or resting to those designed for stress relief and recovery.
The timetable is diverse but cohesive, underpinned by Harriet’s philosophy: that wellbeing is personal and healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. This was something that Harriet discussed with me in detail. She highlighted that those who attend WellNest are from all walks of life, all with different abilities and backgrounds.
Harriet promotes the space as a place for anyone and everyone. “It’s not about being the most flexible person in the room,” she told me. “It’s about feeling safe enough to show up exactly as you are.” And that’s exactly how I was made to feel as I sat, green tea in hand.
Launching for the first time this year, WellFest is Harriet’s latest project, a celebration of everything WellNest stands for, brought together in one carefully handpicked weekend. Taking place on the 8th- 10th August, the event will feature a mix of yoga, meditation, sound healing, movement workshops, family sessions and community talks, all designed to be welcoming, accessible and rooted in connection.
Harriet described the Festival as a chance to “step away from the noise and step into presence,” whether that’s on the mat, in a sound bath or chatting over herbal tea with a local maker. More than just a schedule of classes, WellFest is a community offering. It will bring together guest teachers, local businesses, live music and wellness practitioners to create an inclusive and uplifting environment where attendees can dip into as much or as little as they like. Whether someone’s brand new to yoga, a busy parent in need of grounding or a student looking for community in a new city, like myself, WellFest is built to meet people exactly where they are.
WellNest isn’t just a studio, and WellFest won’t be just another wellness event. They are extensions of the same mission in making wellbeing accessible and grounded. all while creating a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Whether it’s through a stretch or a quiet moment shared with others, Harriet King is helping Leeds rediscover what community care really looks like.
As I leave the studio, I carry Harriet’s words with me: “At WellNest, you don’t have to be anyone other than yourself.” In a world that often asks us to hustle, perform, or prove, WellNest- and now WellFest- offer something beautifully radical: a space to simply arrive, breathe and belong.
To book and for more information about WellFest on 8 – 10 August, click here.
Photography by Gemma@focusgemphotography.
