Sumit Hot Yoga Student Testimonials

Sumit Hot Yoga has given me my life back and redirected me to the life I want to create.  This studio has deepened my mental, physical, and spiritual inner being.  I want to manifest a life to become a teacher that can change the lives of the students that enter my classroom- to inspire them to look beyond their disability and achieve a better life for them to live. I feel now, I have the power - the drive to complete this.  I have heard and wanted to include meditation into my life; in the past I found it difficult to complete this. Now, through the art of meditation I found in yoga, it is easily displayed and incorporated in my life. I am a better mother, a better teacher, a better friend, a better girlfriend, a better person-thank you Sumit Hot Yoga-Stephanie and Nicki-for showing and inspiring me with your words and encouragement.My favorite Sumit Hot Yoga pose is Warrior B---I feel powerful, I feel alive, I am strong.  --Virginia Shaw, Springfield Public Schools

When I first started coming to Sumit Hot Yoga, I was uncertain on how it would help me become a better fighter. The overall health benefits have now helped make me an enhanced, healthier, and better-rounded athlete. Yoga helped me increase my flexibility, strengthened my core, helped control my breathing, and assisted the muscles that are not focused on while I am doing my Mixed Martial Arts training.  Another benefit would include the emotional side of Sumits Yoga; hence, my ability to be more composed, collected, and poised fighter. I have fought three times since I have been a yoga student, and I have certainly seen a difference in how it can help me as a fighter and a person. Yoga is an incredible workout for the mind and body.  I would like to thank Stephanie and Nikki for truly showing me the importance of having yoga in my life. Ladies, the way you are influencing people's lives is a remarkable thing. Thank you for everything you have done for my career as a professional MMA fighter. 

-- Jesse Zeugin, XCF Lightweight Champion & Professional MMA Fighter

Half way on my journey to lose weight, a friend told me about Sumits Yoga. I had lost 30 lbs and was looking to lose about another 30 lbs in order to meet my overall goal. I had never done yoga before and wouldn't even step foot into that room without pants and a short sleeve shirt on. I couldn't even touch my toes! I was ashamed and embarrassed about the way that I looked and felt. I am sure all of us have felt little how I did; angry, frustrated, and feeling like I had let myself down. After my first six months I was hooked and was coming to yoga about 5 times a week. I started to feel better and started making better eating choices. I was still intimidated by all the skinny and fit women that are in class, but for some reason when I got in there they just seemed to disappear, and eventually so did my short sleeves and pants. I caught myself wearing a tank top and capris-- something I hadn't worn in years!! When I weighed myself I discovered that I was literally sweating my butt off. 

 Yoga has taken me on one crazy ride and it led me to find myself. Now I have lost 40 lbs from Sumits Yoga and overall have lost 70 lbs. No one can tell you how great it feels to accomplish something like that for yourself. To be honest it wasn't the weight loss that helped me become more confident, it truly was looking in the mirror for an hour and twenty minutes and learning to accept it. We all are beautiful in our own way, and it takes realizing this and standing proud that makes us attractive. It's funny how life works out ...I would've never guessed that I would be teaching yoga at Sumits, and hopefully inspiring others to do and feel what I have done! Again, huge shout out to those that have helped me on my way and guided me in finding my own light. -- Stephanie Funderburk, Sumits Yoga Instructor

My Yoga journey began reluctantly just four short months ago; I was unsure of what to expect, how my body might react, or if it would be something I would enjoy on an ongoing basis. I’ll never forget feeling overwhelmed at the beginning of my first class --- unsure how I would ever keep up with the instructor, let alone maneuver my body into some of the poses! I also remember with clarity the end of my first session and how my mind/body felt after an hour and fifteen minutes of "ME" time. I was hooked! I made it a priority to attend the next nine daily sessions of my new-student special, and on the tenth day, I signed up for my first 30-day challenge recognizing how much I would regret not continuing this very personal journey full of wonderful benefits for both body and mind. Since attending my first Yoga alignment clinic with Gabriel Azoulay, I am reminded daily of something he said, "Sumit Hot Yoga is designed in such a way that it can be taken daily --- a lot like a daily vitamin for your health." I now look forward every day to crossing the threshold that separates my outside life from the benefits of "ME" time on my mat --- all made possible by the hard work, encouragement and expertise of Stephanie, Nikki and Angie --- their selflessness is evident in the studio every single day! I can honestly say that Sumit Hot Yoga has made a dramatic impact on my body, and I can’t wait to experience the future benefits along my Yoga journey. As the weeks have gone by, I continue to see more and more new faces in the studio, and it excites me to know that they, too, will soon realize the same opportunities and benefits that have made such a difference in my life. Lastly, I must thank my wife, Allison .. without her encouragement to try Sumit Hot Yoga in the first place, I might never have been introduced to such a life-changing and worthwhile experience. -- Chris Robbins, U.S. Army