THE BOSS of a Keighley wellbeing centre has been shortlisted in a prestigious regional award scheme for inspirational women.

Sarah Jane Fortune was nominated as a 'shero' for her success building up Yoga Wellbeing in East Parade over the past seven years.

She is a finalist in the Shero awards due to be hosted in Leeds next month by the Simply Ladies Inc women's lifestyle club.

The club set out to showcase women who do amazing things in business or the community, with a host of categories including rising star, freelancer, agent of change, girl boss, unsung hero, mentor and person with purpose.

Sarah Jane has been shortlisted for the Inspirational Woman of the Year award.

Sarah set up Yoga Wellbeing in the former East Parade studios of her old dance teacher Pat Roberts in 2013, later expanding into the upstairs space and opening the Wellbeing Lounge.

Services at the premises include a vegan coffee shop, a holistic therapy room, regular yoga classes, and associated services such as reflexology and massage.

Sarah Jane also provides accreditation and training for other yoga practitioners.

She said: "I started out on my own and now I have eight trainee yoga instructors, a team of six who work in the coffee shop, and two holistic therapists.

"We have people who come for lots of reasons, but I'd say 75% go because they're stressed or anxious, or have issues such as depression.

"When I set up I wanted to create a one-stop shop where people could come to develop community spirit and feel at ease with their stress and anxiety."

To this end, Sarah Jane has teamed up with other local therapists to host a new Talk and Thrive group at Yoga Wellbeing, providing, informal support for women with mental health issues.

The group is a spin-off from a successful Talk and Thrive group for men in Cross Hills, which was set up by two men who were abused as children.

The Simply Ladies Inc awards event will combine a gala dinner with a fashion show, at the New Dock Royal Armouries in Leeds on March 6.

The ‘Real Woman’ fashion show will feature models from all walks of life who has taken up the challenge to do something empowering to all women.