Who are we?
The Balance Rooms Pickering Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee. It is “owned” by its members who all have an equal vote at the annual AGM or special meetings. The Board of Directors are volunteers. Membership is open to anyone who lives in the areas we serve and use the services of The Balance Rooms.
The Balance Rooms is run to generate a profit. However, the profit is generated to meet our “Purpose” not for shareholder gain or dividends which is not permitted under our Articles of Association.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is simple. We aim to improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of the residents of Pickering and the surrounding areas.
We will do this by offering a range of services and activities from our premises that help in some way to improve the overall wellbeing of our members and the community. We will offer Yoga, Pilates and other low impact Mind and Body movement activities, also other holisitic treatments and therapies, including massage, acupuncture, physio, counselling and more. We will make our space available for events, workshops, community meetings and community groups that help improve health or stengthen community connection.
Our History
The Balance Rooms is on Smiddy Hill which is situated near the Market Place and in close proximity to Pickering historic town centre. Nearby is Pickering Castle and the start of the North Yorkshire Moors railway line running through the Moors all the way to Whitby. Here is a bit of history on the building and how The Balance Rooms came about.
1903-2017
The original building was reportly built sometime before 1903. It is likely to have operated originally as The Yorkshire Penny Bank and then later the Yorkshire Bank. The bank completed a major development of the buidling in the 1970s creating the external structure that is still here today.
Some of the banks features are still in place, namely a large bank vault now used for storage and the steel bars protecting the rear facing windows! The bank closed in May 2017.
2019 - 2024
In 2019, Luna Dawson (previously Chantelle) had the inspirational idea of creating The Balance Rooms. It was a lifelong desire of Luna to create a holistic and integrated health and wellness centre. She combined her academic knowledge from the study of Biology and Neuroscience with real life experiences gained from travelling the world and living in many countries - and came up with The Balance Rooms.
Luna says:
"This wellness centre serves as a beacon of light on our own sovereignty, and our innate ability to heal ourselves from many ailments by tending to the four pillars of health: movement, nutrition, sleep and relaxation. I hope that it continues to calm your mind, strengthen your body, and nourish your spirit. "
Pickering will always be thankful to Luna for seeing the potential and being the inspiration behind the Balance Rooms. We wish her and her family well in Canada where she continues her Yoga journey.
March 2026 -
A new chapter begins as The Balance Rooms becomes a not for shareholder profit business serving the community of Pickering and surrounding areas.
Contact Us
Address
The Balance Rooms
11 Smiddy Hill
Pickering
North Yorkshire
YO18 7AN
Contact
Social Media
Opening Hours
The Balance Rooms is available for classes, therapy treatments and events 7 days a week.
The reception is not always manned so its always best to phone or email us with queries and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Mon - Sun
8:00 am – 8:00 pm