Instructors:
Nikki Adkins, RYT 200 (co-owner):
I started doing yoga here and there to stay in shape after I graduated college from MSU in 2004. It wasn't until after my daughter was diagnosed with severe food allergies and eczema soon after she was born in 2006 that I began practicing yoga close to 6 times a week. I discovered not only what yoga could do for my body but more importantly for my mind and soul. It allowed time to focus on me so that I could relieve stress and worry, coming out of the yoga room calm and strong...physically and mentally! I was able to focus on making a clean, comfortable and healthy environment for my daughter and really appreciate my amazing husband rather than just being consumed by stress and anxiety.
In addition to my training with Joan Rosen at Body of Works Yoga in Springfield, I completed my Sumits Hot Yoga Teacher Training in July of 2009 (shout out to my awesome hubby, parents, in-laws and Mark Monroe who helped make this happen!) and am certified through the Yoga Alliance. As a yoga instructor, I constantly feel the urge to share the gift of yoga so that everyone can experience at least one of the many benefits that it has to offer. Sumit Hot Yoga has allowed me to deepen my focus and embrace the many things our minds and bodies can do rather than looking at what they may not be able to do.
In my spare time I enjoy being able to coach the MSU cheer team, spend time with my family, friends and dog (Marley) and go to the lake. I am so grateful for everything that Sumit Banerjee has brought into my life, and am blessed to be able to share my love for his work with my students.
Stephanie Lael, RYT 200 (co-owner):
I began practicing yoga in 2005, and although at that time I didn't realize all of the amazing benefits of a consistent practice, I did immediately fall in love with the way I felt after a class. After awhile I started to see that just by spending a little bit of time on my mat, I was healing not only my body, but also my mind and soul. Bikram Yoga was introduced into my life in 2007 after I moved to Chicago as a way to combat the cold Chicago winters in a heated yoga room, and also to continue practicing yoga in a different way. After a few classes of getting used to the heat I was addicted, and began introducing hot yoga to my family and friends when they came to visit. I moved back to Springfield in early 2009 and was thrilled to find Sumits Hot Yoga - Springfield. I was even more excited at the opportunity to teach Sumits Yoga to others, and I completed my teacher training in Phoenix, Arizona, with Sumit Banerjee in the summer of 2009. I hope my students feel the same peace and fulfillment that I do at the end of each class, and look forward to passing my passion for yoga on to others. I want to thank my fiance Tony, my parents, Sumit Banerjee and Mark Monroe for making this amazing opportunity possible!
Angie Dodson, RYT 200:
I have practiced yoga on and off for 7 years, but it was in the fall of 2009 that I found Sumit's Yoga, and fell in love instantly! I found a passion that surpassed my past loves of running, and weight lifting, or any intense workout, and don't get me wrong, I do love running! I thought I had achieved perfect health, until I stepped onto the yoga mat and found the missing link. I was imbalanced from all of the obsessive working out my whole life. I found that the external can only go so far, and I had to take a closer look inside, and learn how to simply breathe!
I could not keep this gift from the world. I decided to go a step further and become certified to teach. I left for Phoenix, AZ to learn from the gifted Sumit Banerjee himself. I left my family, and two children ages 2 and 6, for one month to further my knowledge of yoga. Thank you Sumit for encouraging me for many months to take that leap of faith ... it was so worth it! I also want to thank Mark Monroe for being the best teacher a person could come upon, it it were not for Mark opening Sumit's Hot Yoga in Springfield, I would not be here.
I can't wait to share this gift with everyone around me. Yoga is simply the best medicine for the mind and body. When we learn to connect with ourselves, we can in turn, better connect with others. So remember to give yourself the gift of health. I look forward to seeing everyone on their mats!
Brook Martz
Health and fitness always has been my passion in life. From a young age I realized that stretching and exercising not only made me look and feel better, it also made me a more balanced person. Throughout high school and college I participated in competitive cheerleading to stay in shape. After graduating from Drury University I began running and weight training. Throughout those years, I always enjoyed lifting and loved the results of running – but something was missing.
Prior to hot yoga, I knew very little about yoga, but I did know that stretching increased my recover time, made me feel more relaxed and allowed me to sleep better. In early 2009 I had my first child and it was at this time when I began looking for something different to help me get back into my workout routine. It was at this time when I discovered Sumit’s hot yoga.
After just one week I was addicted; it made me feel euphoric. After practicing for only one month I decided to get certified, I wanted to share with others the same euphoric feeling I had after each yoga class. I spent one month training in Arizona under Sumit Banerjee. Immediately after training I began teaching and practicing hot yoga daily, but I could not get enough. To further satisfy my addiction to yoga I began taking other yoga classes. I practiced as many different types of yoga as possible and attended a variety of yoga workshops. Exploring new yoga studios and styles opened up many doors. I have worked at a variety of studios and gyms teaching several different yoga styles. Sumit Hot Yoga will always be my home for teaching hot yoga. The routines designed by Sumit all incorporate strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular, the three major components to physical fitness. I love teaching so much that in 2010 I completed training for Barre/Pilates. Also, in 2011 I also got trained to teach TRX, a training designed by Navy Seals to increase the physical fitness and strength of the brave men and women active in our military.
I strongly believe, and it is my passion, that working out is a large part of our overall mental and physical health. That is why I love to workout, stay active, and inspire others to practice healthy, active lifestyles. Now, it is my mission to share that passion with others.
Stephanie Funderburk
, RYT 200:
Coming to Sumits Yoga in 2009 my main objective was to lose 10-15 stubborn pounds to obtain a personal goal. After one class I was hooked. The physical attributes were amazing and very beneficial. After about six months of coming I began to notice a shift in my everyday life. Soon, losing the weight just became an added bonus. Normally, I let worry and stress control of life. My personal life became easier and less complicated. I was learning to let the little things go. I suddenly realized that yoga isn’t just about balancing physically; it was about balancing my mind. I became centered in my mind, body, and soul. Sumits Yoga has honestly changed my life inside and out. I can’t wait to pass on positive energy to my students! I believe yoga really is a practice for everybody; all you have to do is breathe, smile, and listen!
Don’t try to get out of the world, get into it- Bhagavan Das
Megan Ellis:
Megan started doing yoga here and there during college to look for ways to stay in shape. It was not until Megan lived outside of Nashville and was introduced to Bikram that she started to blend the physical and mental aspects of yoga. Having a background in music, theatre and dance she found that Springfield Sumit's yoga was a great compliment to those things. In our society we are groomed to be the best student, friend, sister, daughter, wife, mother, and beauty. Sumit Hot Yoga is the place where you can allow yourself to let all of those pressures go and just be. Megan loves that if you allow this to happen the previously mentioned items begin to transpire. Megan completed her Sumits Yoga power flow training in February 2011, and she hopes to be able to share this gift with others.
She would like to thank Nikki and Steph for this amazing opportunity and to darling husband Andy for supporting her in every passion she pursues!