I started an on-again, off-again relationship with hot yoga at Sumits in 2013, when I was having IT band pain, while training for a half marathon. I knew I needed to “stretch,” and hot yoga was the best remedy I could think of at the time. Although I started taking classes for a “good stretch,” what I really found was the best way I am able to relax, be still, meditate, ground myself, feel my feelings in my body, experience only breathing, experience catharsis, get good sleep at night, and most importantly, beginning the journey of making up with my body after a lifetime of self-criticism, scrutiny, vanity, and comparison to others.

I stopped attending classes for a time when the life as I knew it was rearranged violently against my will – my dad died suddenly. At that time, I could only figure out how to keep my job and make sure my kids were OK. I would have done better being on-again with yoga, but a lot of life is understood in hindsight as we know. Since then, I have recognized that this daily practice frames my life in the most peaceful, self-loving perspective. I joke that I sweat out my demons, and that is best done daily. Sumits is a wonderful family. I have wandered into Sumits on the verge of tears, with a broken heart, and someone always just gathers me up and hugs me for a while. Then I usually finish the cry on the mat, (no one can tell with that much sweat involved), and have a renewed perspective. I have learned so much from each instructor, and all the different classes. Sumits is an incredibly important part of my life. My life is significantly better for this studio, these teachers, and my fellow yogis. Yes, it helped my IT band.