Mark Monroe:

Mark is the owner of Springfield's New Premier Hot Yoga Studio "Sumit Hot Yoga" He will be the lead teacher at his new studio. Mark is a certified Yoga instructor with years of experience in both practicing and teaching various styles of yoga around the world. He has spent a great deal of time studying and practicing "Sumit Yoga" with Sumit Banerjee in Phoenix, AZ.

Nikki:

I started doing yoga here and there to stay in shape after I graduated college from MSU in 2004.  It wasn't until after my daughter was diagnosed with severe food allergies and eczema soon after she was born in 2006 that I began practicing yoga close to 6 times a week.  I discovered not only what yoga could do for my body but more importantly for my mind and soul.  It allowed time to focus on me so that I could relieve stress and worry, coming out of the yoga room calm and strong...physically and mentally!  I was able to focus on making a clean, comfortable and healthy environment for my daughter and really appreciate my amazing husband rather than just being consumed by stress and anxiety. 

As a yoga instructor, I constantly feel the urge to share the gift of yoga so that everyone can experience at least one of the many benefits of yoga.  Sumit Hot Yoga has allowed me to deepen my focus and embrace the many things our minds and bodies can do rather than looking at what they may not be able to do.
 
In my spare time I enjoy being able to coach the MSU cheer team, spend time with my family, friends and dog (Marley) and go to the lake.

Alicia:

I started practicing Bikram yoga in 2008 in Aspen, Colorado as a way to relieve stress and get in shape.  I was immediately hooked!  I didn't realize I would be healing my body from the inside out and I am constantly reminded of what amazing things our bodies are capable of.  Yoga has truly transformed me mentally and physically, and I am always inspired to find peace on my mat at the end of class and feel that energizing "yoga buzz" for the rest of the day.

As a new instructor, my goal is to connect with my students and help them to understand the mental and spiritual aspects of yoga as well as the physical.  I am hoping to show others the same deep connection that I have felt with my mind and body that I have found through yoga.
 
When I am not on my yoga mat, I enjoy snowboarding, hanging out on the lake, and taking my pup Hank for hikes.  I am so excited to be back home to spend some quality time with my family and friends.

Brooke:
After having my son I was looking for something different to help me get back into the routine of working out again that is when I discovered Sumit Hot Yoga. I was instantly hooked. I loved the way the yoga made me feel and really liked the idea of just taking a little time for myself to relax, reflect, and work hard. After only a few weeks I started seeing positive changes in both my mind and body. I also noticed that my constant cravings for junk food seemed to be fading away. I felt more at peace with myself than ever before.
 
As an instructor, I hope to introduce my students to the wonderful peaceful feeling one can achieve by practicing yoga. I truly do believe that everyone can benefit from yoga.
 
When I am not teaching I enjoy biking, hiking, hanging out at the pool, being with my family and meeting new people.

Stephanie:

After years of pushing my body to the limits in gymnastics and cheerleading, I began my yoga practice in 2005 as a way to help my body rather than continue hurting it.  I immediately fell in love with the way I felt after a class, and the way the yoga began to heal my body, mind and soul.  Bikram Yoga was introduced into my life in 2007 after I moved to Chicago not only as a way to combat the cold Chicago winters in a heated yoga room, but also to continue practicing yoga in a different way.  After a few classes I was addicted, and began introducing hot yoga to my family and friends when they came to visit.  I moved back to Springfield in early 2009 and was thrilled to find Mark Monroe and Sumit Hot Yoga, and even more excited at the opportunity to teach Sumit Yoga to others.  I hope my students feel the same peace and fulfillment that I do at the end of each class, and look forward to passing my passion for yoga on to others.  I want to thank both Mark and Sumit for making this amazing opportunity possible, and my mom (who is addicted to yoga as I am!) and dad (who I hope to someday get in the yoga room!) for their love and support.
 
When not at the studio, you can always find me at Table Rock Lake with my family, friends and puppy, Bella, and cheering on my favorite team ... the St. Louis Cardinals!