Those of you who practice with me at the Yoga Station might have noticed that there is quite a lot going on at Whitley Bay Metro Station. But perhaps you don’t know about the connections between some of them.

The Yoga Station is part of the Station Masters Centre, along with the Station Master's Community Garden and the Green Beans Market. The Station Masters Centre is a not-for-profit company run by volunteers and supported by train operator Nexus. Profits from the Yoga Station and the Green Beans Market are used to support the community wildlife garden.

The Station Masters Centre has evolved gradually. In 2010 a group of local volunteers negotiated with Nexus to take over the area which is now home to the community garden. Videos on the Centre's website show the dramatic transformation from wasteland to wildlife haven. Despite enthusiastic volunteers, maintaining and developing the garden is an ongoing process. A way of generating more regular income to support the garden was needed.

The yoga studio was the next part of the puzzle. The room now occupied by the Yoga Station had been empty for years - no longer needed by the train company. It was converted into a studio which opened on 1 September 2013. You can see pictures of the transformation here.

The idea of a market was first suggested back in 2013, but it took until 2016 to get approval for a monthly market. The Green Beans Market is Tynemouth Market's hippy cousin, with a focus on local businesses, gardening, up-cycling, food and art. The market now runs on the last Sunday of every month with a variety of stalls and entertainment. You can even enjoy a bit of yoga - I am helping coordinate yoga taster sessions during the monthly market. So if you haven't been inside the Yoga Station before, or just want to find out more about classes do pop along.

So, as unlikely as it might seem, they money you pay for your yoga classes helps the plants and wildlife in the community garden. You probably already knew yoga was good for you - in Whitley Bay it's good for nature too!