Meet Yuliya Stepanov | Founder & Inspirational Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yuliya Stepanov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yuliya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The AUM studio started with an inner impulse I felt, a calling as some might call it. I felt guided into this experience. All the knowledge and skills I gained have prepared me for this. I felt called to create AUM Studio as I realized people need a safe space to awaken, learn more about who they are, create, move, think without limits, ultimately becoming better and happier versions of themselves.

I’ve always wanted to create something unique and interesting. I played with ideas of alternative school or retreat center, however for many years I couldn’t gain clarity on what that would be exactly. Last year as I’ve been working with lots of people, teaching yoga, art classes, doing retreats, women’s circles, guiding people through standing on nails practice, secret geometry, I realized that we can create a space to include all of these practices and modalities. I felt a true demand for it in my community. People wanted it and so I decided to take action and create AUM studio – a safe space to move, to create and integrate, to deepen your self-awareness and self-acceptance. AUM is a place for the whole family where both adults and children can grow, evolve, find inner stability and healing.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
AUM Studio for Wellness was created by following an inner inspiration or a calling I felt in the beginning of this year. I wanted to create a unique wholistic experience for people to engage their bodies, hearts and minds.

Our mission is to create a community that promotes creativity, movement, and knowledge integration, with the goal of supporting individuals and families in their conscious growth and evolution.

To achieve this mission, we offer a wide range of classes and activities for both adults and children. Our adult classes include yoga, pilates, dance, art, meditation, journaling. In addition to regular classes, we offer workshops, educational lectures, and events such as women’s circles, spiritual and personal development retreats, and socials.

Our children’s program is very unique and designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, communication skills and self-discovery, with activities like open play in our thoughtfully curated play space with craft, building, pretend play and reading stations, monthly themes that inspire children to become kind and responsible human beings, and special classes and workshops designed to nurture their growing bodies, hearts and minds.

We wanted our studio to be a true family center where both parents and children can participate in desired activities for overall wellbeing.

Our studio is designed to be non-judgmental, welcoming, and inviting, to foster a sense of community and belonging. We believe that the conscious community we create will make a positive difference in the lives of those who are motivated to grow and evolve. At Aum Studio, we strive to create a space where individuals and families can expand their knowledge, connect with like-minded people, and become happier, healthier, and more fulfilled in all aspects of lives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love nature and nature is amazing in Georgia. There are lots of beautiful hikes around the city, Chattahoochee river, Greenway, Stone Mountain. I would also take them to North Georgia mountains – visit Elohee Retreat Center, Clayton, Helen, Tallulah and Amicalola Falls.

As far as foods and restaurants, I love all the healthy options we have, some of my favorites include True Food Kitchen, Kale Me Krazy, Whole Foods and Seasonal Farmer’s Markets we have all around town. I also love visiting various themed workshops and events, related to creativity, self-expression and personal development, such as art workshops, breath and sound workshops, sol dance and many others.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I want to give a shoutout to my husband, Eugene, who is my greatest support on all levels – emotionally, financially and even spiritually. He is an entrepreneur and besides having a stable business himself for over 15 years, he constantly mentors others, helping them find their direction in life. He is the person I trust the most.

I’d like to also thank all my teachers and guides, including my yoga teacher Sheila Ewers, my meditative art teacher Angelica Ferra, my sacred geometry guide Katerina Lafaki, my mentor in the Sadhu Nails practice Nikolay Fedorov and many many others I studied with and got mentored by.

Also of course, I am infinitely grateful to all the people who trusted me and came to my classes, workshops, women’s circles and retreats. My biggest reward is the gratitude that I receive from them and seeing positive transformations in their lives.

Website: aumstudioforwellness.com

Instagram: instagram.com/aumstudioforwellness, instagram.com/yuliyaaum

Facebook: facebook.com/aumstudioforwellness, facebook.com/aumstudioforwellness

Image Credits
Tatyana Khokhlova, Nadya Mikhel, Olga Evtushenko