Freeing the mind: the holistic solicitor

Solicitor Jonathan Sattin has turned to yoga and holistic healing to get away from the daily grind, reports Jonathan Ames

Jonathan Sattin must be the only lawyer in England who asks his clients to remove their shoes before entering his work premises.But then, Mr Sattin is hardly an average solicitor and most of his new clients are not in search of legal advice.

Although he continues to practise on a consultancy basis with the London law firm Ross & Craig, most of Mr Sattin's time is spent nurturing a new venture, the wholly untypical lawyer business called the Triyoga Centre.Set in London's leafy and exclusive Primrose Hill, the first centre opened its doors at the beginning of March.

Already, Mr Sattin and his three yoga partners have big plans for expansion, as they are considering launching three more centres around London this year and are looking at moving into Manchester, Bristol, Bath and Edinburgh during the course of 2001.So how does a solicitor move from the besuited, formal, rigid world of the law into the barefooted, almost spiritual - and obviously flexible - world of yoga and holistic healing? Twenty-three years ago, Mr Sattin embarked on what might have been a standard career in the law.

A five-year articles man, he qualified in 1977 and joined a three-partner general practice in Fulham Road, Chelsea.

Four years later, he was offered an equity partnership but baulked at the idea, preferring instead to set up on his own, catering to predominately general commercial clients, but with a bias in favour of media work.A decade down the road, Mr Sattin was headhunted by Ross & Craig in Upper Berkeley Street, where he set up the firm's media department.

But by 1996, Mr Sattin was becoming increasingly disaffected by full-time practice.

'Gradually, I took the view that the practice of law had changed.

No matter how good you were as a lawyer, clients took the view that you were simply a transactional lawyer.

It was also around the time of economic recession and I got the feeling that lawyers were being blamed by their clients when deals went wrong.'In 1997, Mr Sattin handed in his notice, agreeing to work out a year's notice and then to move to a consultancy position.

The day after, he went for a long walk and the idea of creating a holistic health business struck home.

He had himself been doing yoga since 1985.

'I had always had extraordinary experiences when doing yoga.

I found it very uplifting.

When I gave up smoking and coffee at the same time [Mr Sattin was on a 40 fags, 14 cups a day regime], I did yoga and it really helped.'He researched successful yoga businesses in the US before taking the plunge and launching the Primrose Hill centre this year.

So far, it appears to be a thriving success with a constant stream of customers participating in a wide range of classes, which cater to all levels of yoga experience and expertise.'The aim is to help people lead healthy lives.

And I believe you will lead a healthier life if you come here as opposed to going to a health club, putting on a set of headphones and banging away on a treadmill, not listening to what is really going on in your body.' Indeed, that awareness of one's body is the major difference between yoga and other forms of exercise, according to Mr Sattin.

'With yoga, you have to listen to your body.

It is not a repetitive exercise, and it's not competitive.

The benefits are incredibly profound.

It is not just a matter of getting stronger pectoral muscles.

Your body becomes more subtle, stronger, your posture gets better.

It is a profound form of exercise - it's 5,000 years old.'Clearly, Mr Sattin is passionate about his new calling.

And the centre itself is a work of love.

Light and airy, the atmosphere is thoroughly welcoming.

There is also more on offer than yoga, with ten types of massage available in four different treatment rooms, as well as acupuncture treatments.

But Mr Sattin and his partners have made an effort not to fall into the trap of New Age pretentions.

'We wanted to create a place were customers can just sit and read,' he says pointing to the comfy cushion-covered reception area.

'And you don't have to read New World Weekly.

We have all the dailies, so you can catch up on all the news.'Undoubtedly, Mr Sattin will not be rushing back to full-time legal practice.

However, he acknowledges that his legal training has been an invaluable help in setting up the yoga centre.

'Business people take you more seriously when they know you are a lawyer,' he says, pointing out that he was able to resolve a last-minute planning objection to the centre far more quickly because of his legal knowledge.But why do the shoes have to come off at the doorstep? 'It leaves your outside outside,' he explains with knowing patience reserved for the uninitiated.

'It's part of the ritual, leaving the outside world behind.' Mr Sattin is without doubt not the only lawyer who would like to do that.