Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Pushkin-Suffin.
Hi Linda, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started practicing yoga in my late teens when I was introduced by a friend. I was initially drawn to the physical practice since I was an avid daily runner, and it challenged me in a different way. However, several years later, I became much more aware and in need of the mind, body, and spirit connection and benefits to help heal a personal traumatic event in my life. Yoga became an essential daily reminder of how to be more present with myself and for those in my life and to not take anything for granted. Eventually, after choosing to pursue a career in Nutrition and several advanced degrees (BA, BS, and MS), I knew I was destined to help people be more aware about themselves and their health, using my own experiences to facilitate their growth.
After many years in the areas of counseling people on “diet and lifestyle” and furthering my own studies and training in yoga, I settled on the idea of opening the first power yoga studio in the West Valley in 1999. I wanted to bridge my passion for yoga with my education to help others make better choices in their lives. Thus, Inner Power Yoga Studio was created and has been in business for the past 25 years. I consider it my life’s journey, or, as we say in yoga, my “dharma” or purpose. It has allowed me to create a space for community, with an emphasis on acceptance, support, awareness, and gratitude. I am proud of the many teachers who got their start teaching at IPY over the past 25 years, and deeply grateful to those who are still a part of Inner Power since its beginnings. I am humbled by the loyalty of our students who have remained there through our hard times, and this truly fuels the purpose and motivation behind my brick-and-mortar space and a reason to remain open.
It is an honor to be a part of this community and to hold space for others and their individual needs.
Alright, 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?
Being an entrepreneur and female business owner for most of my life, there are always highs and lows. I have never had corporate investors, and not having a business degree personally, I have had to navigate and learn a lot from trial and error or relying on amazing friends with great advice 🙂 My business survived the huge recession in 2007-2008, three prior locations that I had to move from due to greedy and unreasonable landlords, and many changes to staff and the growing yoga industry.
When I first practiced yoga and opened Inner Power, the demand was high and the options were limited, but it was traditional yoga that was on the market. Now, yoga is everywhere and in many forms that have digressed from its original purpose. In many studios now, it is about exercise, sweating, and learning “tricks,” which only reinforces ego and competitiveness. Online yoga has also dipped into the greater benefits of practicing in person. We offer online as well, but in-person is and should always be the preference.
Covid was a big hit to my business and still is. People fell out of the “habit” of attending classes in person and became fearful of group classes. People moved away and lost the value of what a yoga practice gives to your life.
We’ve been impressed with Inner Power Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of Inner Power Yoga Studio in Calabasas and have been the owner for the past 25 years. My yoga studio specializes in yoga, and we focus on more traditional styles of yoga that emphasize the connection between mind, body, and spirit. We offer various types of classes like power yoga, vinyasas flow, yin, restorative, gentle, alignment-based, kundalini, and meditation. All teachers are certified.
Our classes are inclusive, meaning all levels are welcome, and all classes are safe and appropriate.
We stay away from anything that falls into a trend or offshoot of yoga to keep things traditional and authentic. We strive to embody the principles of the teachings of yoga and not encourage our egos to dictate what we do on and off the mat.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say perseverance. The business that I am in requires a certain level of passion for what I do that supersedes the financial gains. To put yourself out there as a business with integrity, inclusivity, and longevity, you must go with the highs and lows and have the resilience to stay the course and see the big picture and longstanding impact on individuals.
Pricing:
- New student special 3 classes for $30
- 5 class series $95
- 10 class series $190
- One month unlimited $200
- Six-month unlimited $1050
Contact Info:
- Website: www.innerpoweryoga.net
- Instagram: @innerpoweryoga
- Facebook: Inner Power Yoga
