Sumit's 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.

Brandy Pierce
I started practicing ashtanga yoga in 2000 at the gym as a supplement to my running and strength training regimen. Once I practiced hot yoga in January 2006, I was hooked.

Hot yoga allows one to understand the power of the breath and be present to connect the spiritual, physical and mental practices and carry it into everday life.

As a yoga instructor, my goal, is to have you love and accept yourself so you can see your true inner beauty and be open and willing to changes.

Let go, set yourself free and life will flow easily.

Jennie Tyma
I started practicing yoga in Chicago when I lived across the street from a yoga studio. I liked the fact that I was doing something good for my body and walked out of each class feeling balanced and relaxed. As soon as I moved to Arizona I started looking for a yoga studio, found Sumits Yoga, and began a much more devoted practice. I loved the relaxed, open environment, and the element of heat helped me move to a different level in my practice.

Teaching yoga allows you to help people improve in a physical sense, in the way they practice their poses, but also in the way that they see themselves, the way they live their lives, and the way they think about taking care of themselves. It's inspiring to think that maybe some piece of instruction you gave them helped that growth.

Be patient with yourself. It's more important to build a strong foundation in your practice than to move too quickly. Give your body and your mind time and eventually you'll achieve the pose you want, but forcing it goes against the whole philosophy of yoga.

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.

“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."

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Sumit's Yoga Teachers

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