When Sumits Hot Yoga first opened in Columbia, I had been practicing yoga regularly for several years, mostly on my own at home.  I had been wanting to rejoin a studio for some time and was really excited to see a new studio opening near my house . . . but I absolutely hate heat and sweating, and so I was really nervous about trying hot yoga!  Despite this, I took my first class on Halloween night of 2012.  It was certainly challenging, but I instantly fell in love!  (And, I actually found that the heat and profuse sweating helped me to focus and stay present.)  

I found myself feeling so different when I entered the yoga room. Things just got quieter. My to-do lists could wait, the expectations I had for myself became less important, and what I saw in those giant front mirrors began to make me happy. When I am not in the yoga room, the voices of Sumit's amazing teachers would enter my head during stressful times. I started being able to let more go during the hard times and to be more present during the happy times. 

I like that I do a better job of “listening to my body” now. I know when I’ve been good to myself and when I’ve not had the proper calorie intake. I can feel it during hot yoga! Sumits is great…I particularly like the silent room leading up to class, the no-talking during class, and I can’t imagine a better group of instructors anywhere.

As I'm sure it is for many, my first class was nothing short of awkward. I didn't know the poses, I didn't know how to breathe and my balance left much to be desired. But, I survived it! I went back for another class, and another, and another; I was hooked. With every practice, I got better; I felt better. I sought out hot yoga for the physical aspects, but what I've gained is so much greater. Love for myself, inside and out. 

Everyone has struggles and all struggles are real. Being in a class filled with people with such different backgrounds, stories, days that they just had/will have ahead of them, all make the experience at Sumit’s such a wonderful one. I’m going to briefly talk about something that I get asked often and that I’m sure many are thinking. “How do you do hot yoga in a head scarf? Doesn’t it get too much?” And the answer is yes, and no. 

In the more than 12 years that we’ve been together, Ric and I have enjoyed countless activities as a couple… hiking, backpacking, cycling, scuba diving, just to name a few. Yoga is no exception, even though our journeys began at different times.

I crave the hot room for: deeper flexibility, increased muscular and skeletal strength, concentration, patience, sweat, poise, and compassion. 

I love my improved strength, balance, flexibility, patience, and have a new sense of wellness of my mind, body, and spirit! I have tried many, many avenues of exercise, but nothing has lasted or inspired me to work hard each and every day, plus the benefits and results of hot yoga are mind blowing (weight loss, toned muscles, silky-smooth skin, and a confident, happy soul). 

"Fast-forward to today and if someone asked me my thoughts on Sumits Yoga I would have nothing but great things to say. The past 2-½ years have been nothing short of a blessing. I’m happy, healthy and completely in touch with my body, breathe and spirit."