Meet Shankari – Our Inna Spirit Member of the Month for October
Each month, our Inna Spirit Member of the Month celebrates a member whose presence makes the studio a warmer place to be. This October, that member is Shankari — and she was so generous with her time that she answered our questions while she was away on holiday.
Her story will sound familiar to a lot of women: a body quietly carrying the weight of a stressful life, and the realisation that something had to give.
What was going on in your life or body that made you realise something needed to change?
“Constant fatigue and stiff joints made it painfully clear that my daily stress had finally caught up with my body, pushing me to find a change.”
It is one of the most common reasons women come to us. Not an injury or a single event — just the slow accumulation of stress, showing up as tiredness and joints that no longer move the way they used to.
What stood out to you about Inna Essence when you were deciding where to begin?
For Shankari, it was the environment first, and then the way she was taught.
“The warm, welcoming environment at Inna Essence immediately put me at ease,” she says. “The instructors bring a genuine care to every session, remembering injuries and tailoring every movement for the individual.”
How did you feel walking into your first class, and how did that change after a few sessions?
“I was completely full of nerves walking into my first class.”
That is a sentence almost every new member could have written. What changed was how quickly it passed.
“After just a few classes, that initial anxiety completely melted into familiarity, as navigating the reformer began to feel like second nature.”
What changes have you noticed in your body, mindset, or daily life since becoming a member?
“Since becoming a member, I’ve noticed a massive shift. Not only is my body stronger and more flexible, but my mindset is calmer, and I have so much more energy to carry through daily life.”
Fatigue is what sent Shankari looking for a change – a movement practice which could be long-term and invigorating; not depleting. Energy is what she has now; more energy at work and for her family
Can you share a moment where you realised, “wow, this is really working”?
Shankari’s moment arrived quietly, mid-class.
“The real ‘aha’ moment hit me during a routine stretch, when I suddenly realised the lower back ache that usually gave me grief was gradually easing.”
What keeps you motivated to show up consistently each week?
Shankari answered this one in a single line, and we could not improve on it.
“At this stage, Inna Essence for me is 100% a lifestyle choice.”
If someone was feeling unsure or intimidated about starting, what would you say to them?
“If you are feeling unsure or intimidated about taking that first step, just take a deep breath and let this supportive community guide you — because everyone starts as a beginner, and nobody expects perfection on day one.”
Thank you, Shankari
Congratulations, Shankari, and thank you for the warmth and commitment you bring to every class — and for answering our questions whilst you are away on holiday, which tells us everything about the sort of person you are!
If Sharkari’s story sounds familiar — if stress has caught up with your body, and you are tired of feeling stiff and worn out — you do not need to arrive fit, flexible or confident. You only need to walk in. Nobody expects perfection on day one.
Come and have a look:
- 3 Week Essential Trial
- Inna Intro Tour with Andrea and Anna
- Our class timetable
