One hundred yoga instructors across multiple London studios have been left without pay and facing severe financial hardship after the abrupt shutdown of Triyoga and its sister brands, leaving a cult favourite fitness chain in ruins.
Kate Comer, a single mother of two who taught at Triyoga, discovered the true meaning of financial precarity when the studio closed without warning in September, owing her approximately £1,500 in unpaid wages. Her plight mirrors that of an estimated 100 other yoga teachers who spoke to The Guardian about being left to struggle with essential bills after the collapse of Common Bond, the parent company of Triyoga, Barrecore, Boom Cycle, Kobox and Reformcore.
The sudden demise of what was once a beloved A-list favourite has sent shockwaves through the fitness industry, raising serious questions about worker protections in the gig economy and the sustainability of boutique fitness models in an increasingly competitive market.
Financial Collapse and Worker Impact
The chain’s downfall unfolded rapidly. Bailiffs appeared at Triyoga’s Shoreditch studio in August, followed by delayed payments to instructors on August 21st. However, no payments arrived on the scheduled September 14th date, triggering threats of industrial action among teachers.
Common Bond announced it was “temporarily suspending trading” on September 24th, shortly before a winding-up petition was filed on September 18th. Robin Catto, a veteran teacher with 26 years at Triyoga, described the atmosphere as having “begun to hollow out the vibe” under new ownership, noting cost-cutting measures that replaced licensed music with AI-generated tracks and swapped eco-friendly products for cheaper alternatives.
The financial strain on teachers has been devastating. At least one instructor reportedly faces homelessness, while others struggle to maintain basic living expenses. Comer, who is currently divorcing, fears losing her family flat due to her sudden loss of income. The oversaturated job market offers little relief, with hundreds of teachers competing for limited positions.
Ownership History and Phoenixing Concerns
The studio’s financial trajectory has been turbulent since its acquisition. Triyoga, founded in Primrose Hill in 2000 and popularised by celebrity clients including Kate Moss and Jude Law, was purchased by United Fitness Brands (UFB) in January 2022. Following UFB’s liquidation in 2025, its assets were acquired by Common Bond, run by former UFB director Robert Rowland and backed by Nectar Capital.
Rowland resigned as director in May 2026 amid financial difficulties, and it’s understood Nectar Capital has launched an investigation into his management. The circumstances have prompted speculation about “phoenixing” – the legal practice of directors closing a company to eliminate debts before establishing a new entity with the same business operations.
While phoenixing remains legal without evidence of deliberate abuse, instructors and industry observers question whether this collapse represents such a strategy. Common Bond is now undergoing insolvency proceedings to repay HMRC, with the fitness brands reportedly on the market for sale.
Student Fallout and Industry Implications
The collapse has left students equally disoriented. Ciara Regan paid £180 monthly for a year-long membership, citing mental health benefits as justification for the expense. She first noticed trouble when classes were cancelled last-minute, followed by the sudden disappearance of websites and social media accounts.
“Everybody’s been left in the dark,” Regan lamented. “I wish there had been some sort of communication, but it’s careless.”
However, some relief has emerged from unexpected sources. Studios Home and Mission, run by former Triyoga staff, have offered to honour unused credits. Jonathan Sattell, Triyoga’s former founder now running Home, highlighted the structural challenges facing independent studios, including high business rates and VAT that he believes should be reduced.
Industry expert David Minton notes that the boutique fitness landscape has evolved significantly, with standalone studios offering single modalities struggling compared to facilities that diversify into strength training, saunas and cold plunges. Only reformer pilates studios seem to be thriving in this new environment.
Labour Rights and Industry Reform
Davy Jones, chair of the Yoga Teachers’ Union, sees this collapse as a critical wake-up call for instructors to recognise their position within the gig economy. He argues that yoga teachers need the same worker protections as ride-share drivers and food delivery personnel, and that the union is pursuing a test case to secure these rights.
The yoga community’s traditionally trusting nature, Jones explains, has left many vulnerable to exploitation by profit-driven multinational chains, private equity firms, and hedge funds increasingly entering the fitness sector. He advocates for collective organisation as the only viable path forward for protecting worker interests in an industry dominated by capital investment rather than community values.
Why it Matters
The Triyoga collapse reveals systemic vulnerabilities in the gig economy fitness sector, where instructors lack basic employment protections despite generating substantial revenue for owners. This crisis extends beyond individual financial hardship, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory reform to ensure fair treatment of freelance workers across all sectors. As private equity continues to consolidate the fitness industry, the distinction between community-focused studios and profit-maximising enterprises becomes increasingly blurred, forcing workers to choose between their professional passions and economic security.
