Meet Wendy, an incredibly deserving recipient of our Inna Spirit Member of the Month award for October 2024! Our team of instructors had so many beautiful things to say of Wendy: a member for a little over the past 2 years, and has attended over 400 Pilates, Yoga and Barre classes!
“She always works hard during every session. Very friendly to all other members with her beautiful smile. Wendy also sometimes helps us vacuum the Yoga Room and tidy up our props.”
“Wendy always is so kind to other members, making them feel welcome, and she works so hard to progress herself during each class.”
What challenges or goals first brought you to Inna Essence?
Wendy was attending another studio, and when they decided to cease many of her favourite classes, she researched other options in her area. Wendy looked up Inna Essence, did up a pro’s and con’s list and our little studio came up on top.
“The studio is just so easy to get to, and the amount of classes is like a smorgasbord of choices! During my 3 Week Trial, I did about 31 classes, and felt like a kid in a candy store! At the other place, I only had a choice of three classes, and now I have so much choice!”
Wendy loves the combination of Pilates and Yoga classes on her membership. She says how she can do back-to-back classes, and by mixing up her fitness routine, she never feels sore or tight. “I’m never sore, and all the niggles are gone. When I miss classes, like when I’m away on holidays, I can feel within a couple of days that I haven’t moved.”
During her time with Inna Essence, Wendy has picked up on some of the very specialised training from our Pilates and Yoga teachers, especially within the topic of muscles and fascia. She goes on to say that by understanding human anatomy a little more, and learning about fascia, that she appreciates how she needs to trust and challenge her body by moving through her ranges of movement just that little bit further. “It has been such an eye opener, that my body is capable of going a little bit further, and a little bit deeper into stretches and movements.”.
“My family has a history of knee replacements, so I’m taking great care of my knees so that I can avoid any risk of surgery. Pilates and Yoga at Inna Essence protects my knees by strengthening them, and I’m certain I’ll be the first generation to keep my own knees!”
What is it about Pilates & Yoga that motivates you?
The first time Wendy was exposed to a Pilates class, she was really shocked!
“It really staggered me – the strength needed during the exercises and the muscles I clearly wasn’t using effectively. I can remember I got a pain in the back of my thigh, and it was my hamstring cramping because I hadn’t been working it properly for so long. And after just a couple of classes, I was hooked. I love how you are totally focused on yourself and your own progression.”
Wendy really enjoys the challenges thrown down by the Instructors and Teachers at Inna Essence. She says these fun progressions keeps her motivated, and takes the fear out of attempting an exercise or posture. Wendy can see how intelligently the team build up to an exercise, and are always so encouraging for every member to ‘give it a go’, or to very supportively offer a modification so they can attempt the exercise in a slightly adjusted way.
“At the studio, the team remove the fear and help us connect with our inner child; we tend to be so cautious at times.”
Wendy speaks about how Yoga and Pilates classes at Inna Essence take on a team vibe; you are all in the room together, but you are working for yourself, within your own struggles or limitations. She says it almost feels like a team sport, but with an individual progressive focus.
“Exercises may be modified so you can get to where you need to be. My Mat Pilates instructor Linda, has really helped me with exercises on all-fours by improving my wrist strength. By working through it, I was offered a number of different modifications to the point where I was encouraged not to never give up, to keep persisting, and strengthening these joints in my body.”
Wendy really appreciates how the coordination and choreography of exercises is offered in a clear and supportive way. “I love how there isn’t too much left and right instructions, and I love that there isn’t too much complicated choreography. In Kylie’s classes, she says, ‘Do one side, any side, and then we’ll do the other side.’ It’s so logical, and I love that!”
Tell us about the Retreats!
Wendy joined Inna Essence on the 2024 Paradise in the Pocket Retreat near Byron Bay. It was the first time she had attended a retreat with the owners Andrea and Anna, and her expectations of the Retreat were a little off initially!
“I thought it was going to be a rigid health retreat, but the Inna Essence Retreat was so relaxing and eye-opening! I was worried that there wouldn’t be any coffee available, but when the welcome champagne and wine was offered into the night, I knew this Retreat was going to be different!”
Wendy really enjoyed getting to know members whom she didn’t get to see often at the studio, and now many of them are connected on Facebook so they can share stories and photos. Wendy loves all the social gatherings at the studio, including International Pilates Brunchilates, SoundBaths and other events.
“I have done Retreats before in Italy and in Melbourne, and I can absolutely say how thrilled I am that I can save the airfare, and enjoy the amazing Retreats with Inna Essence.”
What do you love most about the studio?
Wendy candidly shares how she felt the first time she walked into the studio at Inna Essence. “I thought, oh goodness, this place will be too good for me – can I fit in here? But very quickly, I saw that I absolutely did fit in. The team were incredibly welcoming, the other members very kind, and the entire community help to keep the studio looking gorgeous.”
Wendy shares how much each member cares about the studio, and that everyone wants to keep it looking lovely.
Our Member of the Month loves it when all the members chat together before and after class and that there is no negativity. “Everyone is absolutely lovely and happy, asking about different classes and teachers; there is so much sharing and communication. You never feel isolated; everyone is there for the same reason.”
What would you say to a friend who is keen to try a class at Inna Essence?
“At Inna Essence, every part of your body will be cared for in a gentle way.”
“It is possible to be fit and strong, yet mindful and intelligent with your movement.”
“Come and give it a try, you will find there will be a modification for every position and exercise.”
