WHAT IS SUMITS YOGA?

Sumit’s Yoga was created by Sumit Banerjee based on his own years of experience practicing and teaching various yoga styles including Bikram and Vinyasa. His sequence and style of teaching reinforces his primary objectives as a teacher: helping others to realize the powerful wellness benefits of yoga including a stronger, toned and more flexible body and an improved state of mind encouraging relaxation, self-acceptance and awareness.

Classes at Sumit’s Yoga flow to music through a sequence of both balancing and energizing asanas (poses) in a heated practice environment. Through his Bikram practice, Sumit understands the healing aspect of heat. “It’s simple”, he says, “In a yoga class, you practice poses that require stretching and compression of the joints, muscles, ligaments and other supporting structures of the body. Your body naturally protects itself from physical exertion by generating heat from the inside muscles outwards. We start with the heat up front…providing that extra protection from the very first poses. Another added benefit is that your body burns fat more effectively. It’s not uncommon for our students practicing regularly to lose inches of shape in a relatively short time”.

Though his classes are designed to optimize physical health by waking and energizing the entire body, Sumit stresses that the greatest benefit comes not as much from the healing of the body, but from the healing of the mind. “The simple pleasure and self-reward that comes from quieting our minds, listening to each breath and honoring where are bodies are in stillness or movement cannot be measured. You do not measure your yoga practice by how many perfectly aligned poses you can perform”, he asserts, “but by how deep you can immerse yourself inwards. It’s amazing how a simple downward dog can be felt so differently by any student on any given day and still provide a feeling of connection, balance and satisfaction regardless of the depth it’s practiced. This is the beauty of yoga and it awaits every student who is ready let go of the ego and begin listening to our own deeper wisdom.”

Sumit encourages all students – newcomers and experienced students alike – to begin and maintain a consistent practice regardless of the style preferred. “You'll benefit from class by your effort regardless of how far or deep you get. As long as you are feeling it and you are breathing calmly, you're practicing correctly”.

FOR NEW STUDENTS:

Please arrive 15 minutes before scheduled start time to register. Discuss any injuries or health issues with your teacher before class.

Wear something you are comfort able sweating in. Breathable fabric is most desirable.

Come to class fully hydrated. Ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day so that you are prepared. Bring a large bottle of water with you to class or purchase chilled water at the studio.

Come to class on an empty stomach. Most people find they need to leave at least 3 hours between their last meal and the class.

Yoga mats and large towels are required in the studio. Please bring your own or purchase at the studio.

Stay in the studio during class. Feel free to sit or lay down if you feel dizzy or nauseous. As you build the ability to focus your mind and still your body, the struggle will disappear.

If you need to leave class early, please let the teacher know before class begins, and do not leave before savasana (resting pose) begins to avoid disturbing other students. Remember that savasana is a crucial element of yoga class — and it does not take more than a few minutes.

Yoga is a practice as well as a life long process. It is not about doing the postures perfectly. As long as you give your best effort, you will receive the same therapeutic benefit as someone who has practiced for years and obtained a high level of flexibility, strength and balance.

We recommend practicing 4-5 times per week to obtain the maximum benefits. Of course, you will receive the same benefits with a reduced practice – just in a longer time.