Marta's story

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I STARTED MY JOURNEY WITH BALANCYOGA AND INNA OVER
10 MONTHS AGO AND THE ONLY THING I REGRET IS THAT I HADN’T DONE IT EARLIER

Marta Markheva
Director

I forgot about my lower back pain that was bothering me for almost a decade. My sleep pattern improved a lot. My hormones stopped striking my body with peaks every month. My energy levels went visibly up.

I started my journey with Balancyoga and Inna over 10 months ago and the only thing I regret is that I hadn’t done it earlier.

In the last 15 years I had a full array of experiences with either 1-2-1 Pilates instructors, or group yoga/stretching classes, mostly in gym/studio setup.

Some facts first and comparison of the businesses and the services. I live in well established area of Richmond in London with big variety of small studios and four fancy clubs, like Virgin, David Lloyd, Third Space, etc. I tried majority of their services and faced same issues every time. In a nutshell no continuity of service. Instructors changing every other lesson, they don’t even know your name, not to mention my body needs, possibilities, and personal objectives. Their style differed, which meant I had to adjust every time. There was no feedback and performance tracking. What threw me back on search pass and only contributed to my scepticism was my 1-2-1 reformer Pilates instructor who informed me on 15th of July that this was our last session before she would return in September.

At that point I have been following Inna’s instagram for some time already and could witness her transformation. Her healthy and glowing appearance was really attractive. Hard to disagree. However what brought me to our first meeting was the fact that she made yoga her life choice, lifestyle, and decided to share it with others.

I always valued these type of people and professionals the most in my work. Not the victims of circumstance, not the bored ones who just try new professions, but the people who put their heart and mind into their job, fill it with passion and dedication.

Initially, my expectations were quite low, both due to my past experiences and my own self-doubt. My multiple body/mind restrictions did not allow me to feel the difference from day one.

However Inna, being naturally gifted couch, could spot the smallest, tiniest difference or progress, and never missed an opportunity to mention it and praise me.

She set up my personal training plan in a way that it should not be stressful and painful for the body, and managed to switch off that anxiety and my brain. I could actually walk, function, and did not feel any pain in my body after our sessions. The effect was rather opposite and it gave me some extra energy, strength, confidence and curiosity to explore further possibilities of my body.

During the whole time I missed one session. One!! Because of me getting suddenly sick while travelling. There were multiple sessions that we moved last minute when my daughter woke up sick in the morning, or due to the other surprises from life. However Inna never allowed me just to miss it, she would always insist on re-scheduling it. Any travel disruptions to my or her diaries were always acceptable and managed well.

As an instructor and a coach, Inna is present 110% of time in our sessions. Important point in my case it’s 100% online classes. Until now it’s a great mystery for me how she is doing it? However she can notice smallest change, like 1 degree progress in me bending or putting my knees straighter. She can sense when my breathing pattern is changing, where I need extra time, extra push, or extra motivation. Quite often I feel like I did better than I expected and it proves how much stronger is our body than we think.

She can change or adjust her program if I say that I’m not 100% today, or I’m travelling and do not have yoga mat, or I have only 45 minutes. It’s always super smooth, productive and enjoyable session.

I came to Inna with the whole bunch of issues and objectives. And I can confidently say that I went really far from the starting point. I forgot about my lower back pain that was bothering me for almost a decade. My sleep pattern improved a lot. My hormones stopped striking my body with peaks every month. My energy levels went visibly up. I started recovering within 1-2 days from any cold/flu like symptoms. Quite a predictable result from regular exercises. In addition to this I felt my body became much stronger and lighter at the same time. The exercises changed my posture, as well as my manner of walking, moving around. I’m now back to feeling so good and confident in my body.

The last, but probably most important tool Inna equipped me with was “magic bubble”. In a simple words it’s a skill of not allowing stress to penetrate your mind and body. Sounds simple in theory. But in reality most of people absorb the news, experience adrenaline spikes, become stressed, anxious and as a result body responds with pain and stiffness.

Inna is like a magic fairy, who appears when you need her and reminds you to use this tool, gives you extra breathing exercises, extra time for meditation, and supports your mind and body from all around.

I’m planning to continue my practice. I'm not scared of getting older now. In opposite, I believe I will age gracefully. And hopefully will inspire my family and friends to join our community.

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