Estelle McCluskie’s journey is proof that even the most painful experiences can spark movements that touch thousands of lives. Born and raised in Liverpool, Estelle was drawn to wellness and the healing power of yoga from a young age. At just 28, she took a courageous leap and opened Liverpool’s first Bikram Yoga studio.
This was no ordinary business venture. It was a dream she built hand in hand with her father, who shared her vision of creating a safe and transformative space for people to reclaim their health, mindset, and overall well-being. The studio quickly became a hub for the community, drawing people not just for physical exercise, but for deep emotional and spiritual renewal.
A Heartbreaking Turning Point
Life, however, had a cruel twist in store. In one of the most profound and heartbreaking moments of her life, Estelle lost her father during a yoga class they were sharing, inside the very studio they had built together.
That moment shattered her world. What was once a sacred place of healing became the ground where she faced her deepest grief. Estelle has openly shared how this tragedy pulled her into her lowest point. Yet, it was also the start of a long, raw healing journey that would later redefine her mission in life.
In navigating her own trauma, she came to a realization: the tools of resilience, emotional intelligence, and safe self-expression are not luxuries meant only for adults. Children need them just as much, if not more.
The Birth of YogaBears
From this understanding, YogaBears was born. What started as a creative idea blossomed into a global children’s wellness brand. Through yoga, breathwork, play therapy, and the ancient wisdom of the chakra system, Estelle created a model where children could learn not only to stretch their bodies but also to expand their minds and emotions.
YogaBears is more than a fun activity. It gives children essential life skills including resilience, self-worth, self-regulation, and the confidence to express themselves authentically. Estelle often says she wanted to give children the tools she wishes every adult had been taught from the start.
Introducing YogaBears Therapy
As YogaBears grew, Estelle recognized a deeper need for trauma-informed approaches for children and families. Her own lived experience with grief and healing inspired the creation of YogaBears Therapy, a therapeutic model blending yoga, play, emotional intelligence, and safe, creative expression.
This approach goes beyond recreational yoga. It is designed to support children navigating anxiety, loss, and life’s inevitable challenges, all in a safe, nurturing environment. The brand is now moving toward professional accreditation standards, ensuring it can be recognized and integrated into schools, therapy practices, and wellness organizations globally.
Expanding Horizons: From Liverpool to Dubai
In recent years, Estelle has taken her mission far beyond the UK. Relocating to Dubai, she expanded YogaBears into new territories while also creating fresh wellness initiatives for women, mothers, and children.
Dubai’s multicultural environment provided fertile ground for her ideas. She has launched programs that range from mother and baby bonding classes to retreats focused on women reclaiming their energy and identity. Estelle’s work bridges generations, from expectant mothers learning to connect with their babies, to schoolchildren mastering mindfulness, to women in midlife rediscovering their power.
Through this expansion, she has created not only a brand but a movement that resonates across cultures.
Balancing Motherhood and Purpose
Behind the professional success, Estelle McCluskie is also a mother of three. Balancing the demands of raising children with running a global brand has been no small task. Yet, she openly shares her journey, reminding women everywhere that motherhood and ambition can coexist.
Her authenticity, showing both the struggles and the victories, has made her a relatable figure in the wellness space. She doesn’t present a picture-perfect lifestyle. Instead, she emphasizes honesty, resilience, and compassion, values that resonate deeply with her audience.
The Power of Emotional Energy
At the heart of Estelle’s work is one simple yet powerful belief: when we nurture our own energy, we change the energy of the world around us.
This philosophy underpins everything she does, from children’s wellness to women’s empowerment. Her programs teach not only yoga postures or mindfulness techniques, but also the deeper practice of managing emotional energy.
In a world where stress, anxiety, and disconnection are on the rise, her approach offers a refreshing reminder that inner harmony is not just possible, but necessary.
Current Ventures and Global Recognition
Today, YogaBears is recognized internationally, with teacher training programs, wellness retreats, and collaborations across borders. In Dubai, Estelle continues to build a vibrant community, while also speaking at events and collaborating with schools and family organizations.
Her Instagram presence (@estellemccluskie and @estellesuniverse) gives followers a window into her daily life, from behind the scenes of her projects, to personal reflections on grief, motherhood, and healing. This digital presence has allowed her to connect with a global audience and inspire thousands beyond her immediate circles.
Her upcoming projects focus on:
- Expanding YogaBears Therapy into professional therapeutic practice
- Launching wellness retreats specifically for women navigating transitions in life
- Developing educational resources for schools to integrate emotional intelligence into classrooms
- Creating safe spaces for mothers to heal, reset, and grow
Inspiring a Generation
Estelle’s story is ultimately one of transformation. She took her deepest pain and turned it into a source of healing not only for herself, but for thousands of families around the world. Her work highlights the urgent need to equip children with emotional tools early in life, so they can grow into resilient, compassionate adults.
What makes her journey even more powerful is her openness about the struggles along the way. She does not shy away from speaking about grief, burnout, or the challenges of balancing family and career. Instead, she uses these experiences to inspire others to face their own challenges with courage.
The Road Ahead
As Estelle continues her mission, one thing is clear: she is only getting started. Her vision for YogaBears goes beyond a brand, it’s a movement for emotional intelligence, resilience, and collective healing.
In her words, every child, every woman, every mother deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported. By creating communities that prioritize emotional health, she believes we can ripple positive change across generations.
From Liverpool to Dubai, from grief to global recognition, Estelle McCluskie’s story is a living example of how purpose can rise from pain, and how one person’s courage can change the energy of countless lives.
Do follow her on Instagram
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