breathe...feel...sweat
Sumits Yoga Teachers
Sumit Banerjee
I cannot start my bio any other way but to thank my greatest yoga teacher Bikram Choudhury. He not only gave me the greatest gift of yoga, but my teaching is inspired by his passion of teaching. No matter where I stand in life, I am forever grateful to Bikram and Rajashree Choudhury for their love towards me. My teaching is also inspired by friends Greg Gumucio and Bryan Kest.
My philosophy about yoga practice is simple, it's all good, no matter what style you practice, it all leads to the same practice of self-healing, awareness, control, discipline and ultimately self-realization.
If does not matter if you cannot do a single pushup from downward dog or if you cannot balance on one leg. As long as you are connected to your breath and can concentrate on keeping your mind calm and present - you are doing the real yoga. The true yoga is the practice from your heart. So, make sure you listen to everything I say in class, but ultimately listen to yourself, learning to back off or take breaks by laying in Savasana or Child's Pose. Always challenge yourself to a new level but never force yourself. Always remember the more you resist the harder it gets, but the sooner you accept and let go...the easier your practice.
I firmly believe the only way you can stay committed and advance in your practice is to make it a spiritual discipline rather than a stretching or a workout. Spiritually does not mean that you have to seek something external from somewhere, on the contrary, just connecting with ones breath can be an amazing spiritual experience.
Finally, I would like to invite all my students to challenge, struggle, work hard, smile, have fun and most importantly, never give up in class.
Kim Ewan
I have to start by expressing my love and thanks to my teacher, Sumit Banerjee. His wisdom, compassion and true desire to teach, not only the asana, but the true yoga, which is the connection with self, will have me forever devoted to him and my practice. His simple sequence is all his students will ever need to live a healthy, happy and peaceful life.
My practice is my salvation. I come to my mat daily and work through issues in my life, not by thinking them through; there is no time for thought during the practice! But by devoting an hour and 15 minutes to me, so when I rise up, my head is clear and I can make decisions that are good for me. I can be the Mom, wife, co-worker, sister, daughter that my family and friends need me to be.
Sumit says many of us seek external things to make us happy, but all that we seek can be found within. When you stand on your mat you are forced to face yourself; to see your weaknesses, insecurities, frailties and change them if you desire.
How do you feel about yourself and your life right now? If the answer isn’t “Great! Joyful! Peaceful!” Then make a change.
Come join us on your mat.
Patty Callahan
I first discovered Sumits Yoga in the summer of 2004...inspired to find a studio in Arizona after starting my practice in Los Angeles. What I found was truly incredible...a blend of all the best yoga has to offer...an artfully sequenced, spirited, music-filled, sweat-drenched class led by the gifted Sumit Banerjee. My body changed quickly as I committed to a regular Sumits Yoga practice - I became leaner, more toned, stronger and more flexible. But what mattered most was how I felt - more calm, peaceful, focused and centered - more capable of enjoying this wonderful gift of life, family, friends and all that comes along.
My passion for Sumits Yoga fueled my desire to complete teacher training with Sumit and share the amazing physical, mental and emotional benefits of this practice. As a teacher, I believe in making yoga fun and approachable for everyone - whether you're new to yoga or have some time on the mat.
But that's enough about me...more importantly, it's about you now...your life, your breath, your balance, and your yoga. So bring your towel, your body and your heart and let the yoga do the rest. I promise you will leave feeling better!
Dayna Henig
Dayna’s passion for teaching yoga mirrors the same passion she demonstrates in her life outside the studio. Her professional journey in life began years ago as a hairstylist where her endless positive energy, upbeat attitude and amazing talent made her an in demand stylist and a friend and confidant to many. After marrying and starting a family, Dayna left her first professional calling to move onto to her next and most enduring profession – nurturing, caring for and shaping the lives of her three young sons to which she is so devoted.
Through the years Dayna stayed active physically in various forms of fitness including weight, aerobic training, martial arts and an occasional yoga practice. It wasn’t until Dayna discovered Sumits Yoga that she took her yoga practice to a deeper level.
For Dayna, yoga has become more than just the physical poses. “It is about everything else it teaches you - focus, acceptance of your own limitations and others and mind/body awareness. Yoga is not about becoming flexible or twisting your body in contorting ways, as hard as that may be to believe.
As a teacher, Dayna’s gentle nature, warm smile and sensitivity create an excellent learning environment for the beginner, while her abilities and knowledge provide substantial challenge to the more experienced yoga student. She is grateful to the teacher who has influenced her practice and teaching most – Sumit – who really inspired her deeper inquiry into yoga.
Recently, Dayna has taken her deep sense of service, endless energy and true joy of teaching to another level. She has partnered with Sumit and fellow teacher and friend Sabrina Carlson to open a Sumits Yoga studio in McCormick Ranch/Scottsdale.
“I would like to thank Craig, David, Joshua and Sammy for all the support they have given me during this process. I love you.”
"Sumit, Thank you, I will always be grateful."
Holly Miller
Holly began practicing yoga as soon as she moved to AZ in ‘94. She loved how it made her feel and believed it helped combat the stress that comes with the intense college workload plus a full time job. She felt that after four years of diligent practice, she was ready to guide others through their own yoga experiences. After teaching her first class in ‘98, she was amazed by the deeper understanding and enrichment she achieved from helping others improve their lives through the practice of yoga.
Since then, Holly has taken her love of health and wellness many different directions. She enjoys teaching indoor cycling, personal training, nutritional counseling, massage therapy, aesthetics, and coaching triathletes and marathoners. She finished her first Ironman triathlon this spring and has run 13 marathons and numerous half-marathons.
Once she began Sumit’s yoga, she saw an immediate change in her body. Her recovery from her high mileage runs was reduced significantly. The series made absolute sense to her and she loves how she feels every time she walks out of class.
Holly is endeavored to Sumit for the gift of sharing this amazing series. She has a tremendous respect for the poses and the sequence he has created. Her hope is that everyone can see the beauty in their own practice and carry that light and love throughout their day… outside of the studio.
Kathryn Lucas
I started my yoga practice 14 years ago as a way to balance out the high impact aerobic classes I was taking. What a great feeling being so energized and then taking Hatha yoga to gracefully unwind from the high. I thought of yoga only as a calming, relaxing and stretching class. I didn’t want to get to serious about it for fear of it being a “weird OM” thing that would put me into a whole different category of people. That was the ‘80s... time and knowledge heals a lot! As yoga became the “in” class to take, I continued my passion to seek out more knowledge of how the human body works. I also found a deeper meaning to my yoga practice.
Moving from Minneapolis to Scottsdale in 2004 I was hoping to find a yoga studio to keep the balance of my workout routine. Sumits Yoga…perfect. There it was the complete combo package of getting my heart rate up and stretching all in one yoga class, all in one place. Sumits words and wisdom along with his passionate desire to teach yoga to anyone who is ready to learn kept me curiously wanting more than just a workout. After a couple years of taking classes I was interested in teaching yoga.
One of my fears in life was public speaking. How could I teach yoga with a fear like that? As I tell my son Ty “face your fears, get past them”. So I did.
Teaching yoga at Sumits for over a year has taught me so many things and challenged me in so many ways. I learn from my students as they find guidance from me. The more we can quiet the mind and allow calmness within we find a sense of peace that allows our true self to come through.
Through years I have done self-study of the human body and read many books about the connection of how the mind/body works to continuously balance itself out. Other things that keep me busy are my family and my creative side: photography and art.
As a teacher I encourage each student to look in the mirror with honor and respect and fully accept oneself as you are and to look beyond the physical body knowing that there are wonderful things happening inside of you. As a student I will continue to do the same. Practice with a calm heart, an open mind and have no expectations.
Shelley Walker
I started to practice yoga 6 years ago and knew immediately I had found something special - a workout which not only transformed me physically, but emotionally as well. A couple of years later I began practicing with Sumit and instantly fell in love with his style of yoga. I found the heated room refreshingly challenging and his series of poses to be energizing and balancing at the same time. To this day I continue to be amazed at how this yoga "Sumits Yoga" makes my daily challenges more manageable. I react more often now with humor, lightness and love in good times as well as more difficult times.
My search for a good workout has evolved into so much more -- a journey of personal growth which eventually motivated my desire to teach and "spread the wealth". I look forward to meeting you and guiding you through Sumit's awesome sequence of asanas (postures).
Namaste
Lori Humphrey
I was searching for the answers to many questions in my life when I first walked through the doors of Sumit’s Yoga studio. I had always felt a desire to practice yoga, but for reasons unknown, did not satisfy that desire until later in my life. Looking back, I truly wish that I had pursued it much earlier, but am so grateful that I have it now. I guess that life brings us to things when we’re fully ready to embrace them.
Unlike a lot of people, I came in search of the mental and internal healing benefits, opposed to obtaining a workout. I was craving something to help balance my extremely unbalanced life. I found the answers to all of my questions through the practice of Sumit’s sequence of poses. Although leary of the heat, I soon found it to be nothing short of welcoming and embracing.
I was deeply honored when asked to be a teacher. I am now able to pass along this wonderful gift that was given to me. My goal is to help people to accept and love themselves just the way that they are, and to live their lives in peace and harmony with everyone and everything around them.
I now practice as often as I can, knowing that when I leave the studio, I will carry that euphoric feeling with me into the rest of my life. I am able to be a better person for me and everyone around me, especially my wonderful family.
The power of your breath is amazing, if you allow it to guide you through each and every day, you will find that your moments will flow much more freely. Thank you Sumit, I am forever grateful. You have given me the tools in which to change my life.
Matt Levin
I was first introduced to yoga in September of 2007 shortly after moving from Chicago to Scottsdale. With a new found lifestyle and surroundings, I made getting in shape top priority. I was introduced to Sumits Yoga by my wife Ronnee; who needed little help convincing me that this was a perfect remedy for a stressful sales career and my goals. The preconceived notions I had before entering the studio for the first time were immediately put to rest after noticing the class had people of all shapes and sizes; it was refreshing! The way I felt after my first yoga class inspired me to not only to continue practicing, but make Sumits Yoga and integral part of my life. The amalgamation of mind and body was the perfect fit for me; also helping me recover from my first ever half-marathon run.
I first did the hot yoga series for the intense work-out and to get me in shape. Upon taking my practice to an entirely new astral plane, I realized the true essence of yoga is connecting your mind and body. The experience not only changed me physically, but transformed me spiritually as well. Today I am more compassionate and accepting, less irritable, and most importantly, much more patient.
I would like to thank all the teachers at Sumits yoga that helped me get to where I am today and feel grateful for stepping into the studio in September 2007. I look forward to sharing my experiences with others and am thrilled to be teaching and reinvesting into others what I learned from Sumit!
Laura Bleam
When things happen in your life, and your life literally gets turned upside down you realize changes need to happen. This is true for everyone. We have a choice on how we chose to handle things. I would call this “your path in life”.
This is when Sumit can into my life. Dayna Henig a close friend of my brought me to my first Sumits Yoga class. Going into this class I expected nothing more than a great workout. I continued to view this class just as that. I have always eaten well and have done all different kinds of exercise. Including Ballet, Volleyball, Swimming, Boxing, Weight training, and jump roping. The journey began when Dayna asked me to start Sumits training program and teaching. I was hesitant. My life was not on the path I wanted to be on at that point and thought how is this going to help me? I need to help my family and get my life on the right path. With much gentle guiding and love from Sumit and Dayna, I thought “just do it” That’s when my path in life became more and more clear. Now when I take a yoga class it is all mental. This is my meditation period to work things out internally and let my external body go with it.
This is the true magic, you learn how you can only control how you feel and how you react to things that come about in your life. Now, a year later I am at such a wonderful place in my heart and my body can just follow. One of my favorite quotes is “your view of the outside world is a direct reflection on how you feel about yourself.”
I will forever be thankful for my “angels” ( Sumit and Dayna) for guiding me down this path. I can truly see the light shining through what has been a very challenging year for me.
My wish is to give what I have learned and truly give it back to others I come in contact with in my daily life.
Lynn Highsmith
When I first tried Sumit’s class I knew I had found something special. I started to see a positive change in my body right away. But it wasn’t just about how I looked as much as how I felt. I felt more energetic, more alive. Mentally I became more calm and less reactive to situations in my life. I felt less stressed. I became more accepting of who I am and where I am in life.
I am so thankful for my yoga practice. I know this is something I can do to maintain health. Something that is good for me.
I love teaching. It feels good to see other benefit from their practice too. Sumit says, “If you can connect with the yoga, you can help others connect also”.
Ronnee Levin
I am grateful to have found Sumit and his hot yoga series shortly after relocating to Scottsdale during the summer of 2007. Twenty pounds heavier I began my devoted practice; a few months later I had shed the pounds and changed my life. This practice works for me. I embraced Sumit’s advice by “Coming every day and doing a little” and by “Finding something that works for me and sticking with it.” I was immediately drawn to the thorough series, the non-competitive environment, the motivational support and the music. I learned to love the heat by believing in its benefits from the start.
Even more astounding than my physical success were the mental awareness and clarity I discovered. I have learned to be a more patient, positive and peaceful human being. I am now more focused, feel more grounded and am happier than I’ve ever been before. It is an amazing experience and an honor for me to guide my fellow yogis & yoginis through the physical and mental challenges of Sumit’s series. I encourage everyone to find and devote some time to yoga. By quieting the mind and focusing on oneself – the benefits are overwhelming!
Autumn Edrington
I began my yoga practice a few years ago when I decided to randomly stop at Sumit’s Yoga and see what it was all about. I was looking for something to mix up my daily workout routine, not knowing at the time that it would be the beginning of my new passion. Once I started, I just couldn’t stop. I loved the way it made me feel inside and out. I was able to find a peace on my mat at the end of a long day at the office that I had never experienced before.
Yoga has taught me about the inner strength each individual possess. Each time I practice I connect deeper to my breath, drawing me closer to this strength and peacefulness. I find myself taking a moment in stressful situations to relax and let my mind clear, inevitably preventing me from making a rash decision. I have also learned that it doesn’t matter how far you can stretch; come and practice daily and, in time, the flexibility will come. That’s all you can ask of yourself… The most important lesson is learning to appreciate how you feel when you leave your mat and how to carry that feeling with you each and every day.
When I’m not on my mat you will find me in some other form of activity. I love to hike, scuba dive, travel, spend time with my family, friends, wonderful husband, our 2 Australian Shepherds and 2 cats.
Contact us by e-mail: info@sumitsyoga.com or phone (see Location page)