Meet Irina Walton of Truth In Motion Yoga Studio in Johns Creek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Irina Walton.

Irina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Russia and came to the USA about 8 years ago to study English an ESL school. Originally, my plan was to return back to Russia after graduating from school and apply my language skills back home but, instead, I met my husband, who is a Georgia native, and my plans changed. Now, happily married and a mother to a 3-week old boy, I am running a successful yoga studio, Truth In Motion Yoga (truthinmotionyoga.com) in Johns Creek, doing something I love and am passionate about.

Why yoga? Well, honestly, I have never thought of myself as a business person. But I love yoga. My first yoga teacher was my Mom when I was about 4 years old. I had asthma and medications stopped working. My Mom was grasping at straws trying to help. Someone at her work gave her an old, handwritten binder with various breathing techniques and poses which turned out to be yoga poses for kids! (there wasn’t much yoga at all 30 years back in Russia). Several months later, using daily posture and breathing practices, I finally found relief from asthma symptoms. My immune system got stronger and I grew up as much healthier kid. Even though all I remember now is that it was a lot of fun to pretend I was a bridge, or a cobra, or a dog, I have held yoga dear to my heart ever since.

My regular practice as an adult came later in life and helped me through an emotionally difficult time . I have been practicing yoga since then, for over 10 years now, and it has become my lifestyle.

It wasn’t until 3 years ago when the idea of teaching yoga came to my mind. Being well aware of how regular practice can make us healthier and happier I decided to share it with others. After teaching for a couple of years and receiving my training I decided to make another step and open my own studio. It’s been 3 years now since I opened and I have worked with people trying to address stiffness in the back, pain in the neck area, or anxiety issues. Many have stayed with their practice well past the addressing their aches, pains, and depression. I have witnessed small changes in my students, physical, mental and emotional over the years. I saw them entering a class tired, distracted and stressed and leaving relaxed, rested, and happy an hour later. That’s why I love teaching and doing what I am doing. That’s why I opened a yoga studio. And that’s why I would love to share the amazing benefits of this ancient discipline with as many people as I can. It has changed my life for the better, it can do the same for others.

As a teacher, life-long student, and a business owner, I believe that yoga should be accessible to everyone, not just the fit and young or financially privileged. In the studio, we are offering classes for those who have never tried yoga before, and for those who are experienced. My goal as a teacher and as a studio owner is to help people of different backgrounds discover numerous physical and mental benefits of this ancient practice. I have experienced them firsthand. It works. I would love to see my practitioners leaving a class feeling a little better about themselves and their everyday life, a little happier. And I would like to see them establishing a regular strong practice in a non-competitive and friendly environment which we all strive to provide in the studio.

After practicing yoga for a long time and running a studio I have come to realize that many would like to practice yoga but just simply can’t afford it. I studied some, took some surveys of those who visited the studio and didn’t join and looked in online forums for criticism of yoga in general. The perception of Yoga is often that is an elitist practice for well-off, often white, women. I didn’t lie that perception at all, but with some reflection, I understood that perception wasn’t totally unjustified. Traditional pricing structures for Yoga practice is usually priced out of reach for a lot of people who want to practice often (2 or more times per week). I gave it some thought and have decided to take a chance and literally cut prices in half in the studio in hopes to make yoga truly more accessible. It is a gamble, but I would rather make the same revenue with more people than charge more with fewer people. With a new, dramatically decreased price for a monthly unlimited membership of $50 I hope to see in my classes those to whom a $100 monthly membership was impractical before. Ultimately, I would like to see studio practitioners taking yoga off their mats into their daily lives making yoga a lifestyle more than just a mere exercise.

So, here I am, not just a new Mom and a wife, but a business owner, something I have never thought I would have a chance to do. I love my studio and my grateful practitioners, love observing how yoga transforms their lives for the better and love watching them leaving a class with a happy smile which, I am sure, they bring home and share with their loved ones.

I have more information on the studio itself on the website Truthinmotionyoga.com. 

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have definitely faced some challenges on the way. Starting out your own business takes time, effort, and patience. For the first half a year I was not just the owner, but the only teacher in the studio. I had to teach over 30 hours a week to get the studio started. I have gone through up and downs while learning the specifics of yoga industry. It is not an easy job but it is all so worth it when I see my students leaving a class happy, relaxed, and grateful.

Please tell us about Truth In Motion Yoga studio.
There are many reasons to practice yoga. Some people are drawn to the physicality of the ancient practice and seek the strength, endurance, and flexibility that it brings. While others turn to yoga because they seek relief from stress or anxiety and hope to find peace through the meditative aspects of yoga. Whatever your reasons are, you are welcome in our studio!

We Believe…
…that anyone can benefit from yoga. Anyone can be MORE, not less, at any age, any stage of their life, regardless of circumstance.

Our Mission…
… is to provide a safe, caring, welcoming and encouraging environment where all students, beginners and experienced alike, can discover their true potential. Through different types and levels of classes, we strive to meet a variety of needs and help students build a lifelong personal practice that is beneficial on physical, physiological, and spiritual levels.

Our Ultimate Goal…
…is to help you obtain strength, flexibility, balance, and contentment in your everyday life, both on and off the mat, through the ancient practice of Yoga.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Well, I’ve got lots pf happy memories from my early years. I think that one of the favorite memories would be of our Sunday mornings. My Dad used to take me and my sister out skiing in winter times while my Mom was making lunch. We used to spent hours outside enjoying whatever Russian winter had to offer. Coming back home tired and happy for the tasty home meal in the family circle always felt wonderful.

Another happy memory would be of my Mom ‘playing’ yoga with me. I was around 4 years old or so. I used to pretend being a dog, a cat, a lion, a cobra, or a sponge floating aimlessly in the sea…I loved it. These hours were filled with laughter and happy smiles.

Pricing:

• Monthly Unlimited Membership of $49.99 (the most affordable yoga studio in Atlanta, a revolutionary pricing option in the yoga industry.
• We also offer packages of 5, 10,20 and 40 classes with certain expiration dates as well as drop-ins.
• A special unlimited membership of $99 a month where members receive discounts on all studio workshops, retreats, and retail merchandise.

Contact Info:

• Address: 9950 Jones Bridge Rd., Suite 1000
• Website: Truthinmotionyoga.com
• Phone: 4047899526
• Email: truthinmotionyoga@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthInMotionYoga
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/truth-in-motion-yoga-johns-creek-2
• Other: Truth In Motion Yoga

Image Credit:
Classes at Truth in Motion Yoga studio with a beautiful background of an ocean view on the large projector screen.