Former warehouse transformed into acrobatics and dance studio

Kate Czepulkowski (aka Bendy Kate) certainly has an original answer to how she spent her time during lockdown.

In January 2020, she and her fiancé renovated an old builders’ merchant in Ashton Gate, transforming it from dingy warehouse into a bright and open holistic training centre that specialises in acrobatics, aerial, yoga, dance and pole.

The space is tranquil, adorned in a turquoise and white colour scheme throughout. During the day, the studio is used to run Kate’s clothing business, The Bendy Brand, with classes from beginners’ pole to aerial conditioning running in the evenings.

Fitted with a dance studio with some of the tallest poles in Bristol; an aerial studio with a purpose-made, structurally engineered, ten-metre by five-metre aerial truss, and also a treatment room where Kate practices sports therapy, Bendy Studio offers a lot in a seemingly small package.

A travelling pole dancer and circus performer, Kate is also a winner of the pole world championships. She really knows her stuff, but also cares about sharing her knowledge and skill.

Kate and her fiancé renovated the studio themselves – photo courtesy of Bendy Studio

Kate is keen to establish that the space is here for anyone, no matter their ability, gender or age: “Just come and try it. If you love it, stick with it and we’d be happy to provide a little community for you…

“Someone said to me yesterday that every time they come here, they leave feeling much better than when they came in – they might come a little rundown or a little bit tired, but they leave feeling inspired and energised.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to create, so it’s the best one of the best bits of feedback I’ve had so far. Everyone has fun here. It’s good vibes and it’s nice and bright. It’s colourful and it makes you feel inspired.

“I wanted to train in a bright space and give people the option to like to come in and feel like they could create things and do things with their body.”

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Having given an adult gymnastics class a go – led by the incredible, never tiring Paul Urzica – I can testify that Kate has succeeded in creating the exact atmosphere and kinship she was aiming for.

As someone who hasn’t done gymnastics since I was about five, I was able to join in on a class with a group of well-practiced cartwheelers without feeling left out or in the way.

Paul made adjustments to the exercises throughout, making sure that both the more experienced students, and me, would leave feeling a sense of achievement.

He ended the class by congratulating us and sending us into the night to “eat our favourite type of fruit” as a treat for completing the session.

It’s clear that Kate has started something magical. She’s custom-made a space where performers can come together to learn and push themselves in a peaceful and safe environment.

Her care, love and warmth truly shines through the studio, which will almost certainly create a haven for dancers and artists alike.

For more information, or to book a class, visit www.thebendystudio.com.

Main photo: Robin Connolly

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