BIO

Kumi is short for Ma Nithya Kumudini which means “Eternal White Night Lotus”. The name was given to her while spending time at an ashram in India 2009. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kumi left home at 15 to become a foreign exchange student in Basel, Switzerland. She then moved back to the States where she lived in Pensacola, FL. In 1996, she migrated to Colorado to attend College and her practice of yoga began in 2001. “While on the mat, I immediately felt at home.” Seeing the significant change in her own life, she was compelled to begin teaching just two years later. She specializes in vinyasa flow, a practice emphasizing “one breath, one movement.” Her dynamic flow sequences are synchronized with high vibrational music and she provides a theme to compliment the essence of the ancient yogic teachings. Kumi is an E-RYT 500 certified instructor and has taught many thousands of students and has led over 35 200 hour teacher training programs. She has been the featured guest for different yoga retreats and other yoga conferences across the US. She has served as Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica and Tonic apparel lines. 

Kumi and Trevor Tice, the founder & CEO of CorePower Yoga (the largest yoga chain in the world), were selected to shoot a yoga video for Gaiam (the largest fitness DVD distributers in the world). The video was released in stores March 2013. She also has a CorePower Yoga DVD and was  featured as a teacher on a regular yoga program for Comcast (channel 5 TV) for several years.

Kumi was introduced to Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of love and devotion) in Laguna Beach, California 2010. The last 12 years she has spent time studying with her teacher Tukaram Prabhu. Understanding of the essence of the sacred Vedic teachings provided Kumi with a tremendous amount of mental, emotional and spiritual clarity. Sharing this powerful knowledge of the nature of our true self is one of Kumi’s greatest gifts to the world. 

After a decade of teaching, doing graphic design and managing for CorePower Yoga, Kumi was inspired to open her own studio in 2014 called Veda Yoga. It is a non-profit organization in Southern California that strives to educate the community on the scientific principles of yoga as taught in the Vedic literatures of ancient India. She currently teaches yoga & philosophy classes, workshops, retreats, conferences and teacher training programs internationally.

“Every day I am amazed at how much I learn from students and get to share with others my experience. Teaching and affecting the lives of others has had a profound impact on my own spiritual growth. I want nothing more than to pass onto others that which has brought love, compassion and understanding into my own life. May we continue to learn, grown and share together in the light of yoga!”

Some of her most influential teachers are Radhanath Swami, Tukaram Das, Raghunath Das, Bryan Kest, Alanna Kaivalya, Saul David Raye, David Swenson, Dave Porter and Jim (My first yoga teacher at Bally’s on Colorado Blvd in Denver).

“ I love all the different styles, approaches and techniques that yoga uses to help us wake up and realize our highest potential. That’s what yoga is about. Integrating body, mind and spirit in healthy and positive way to promote balance and harmony from within. “

teacher training progams
CorePower Yoga, Power Yoga (2003), David Swenson Ashtanga Yoga (2004), Amy Ippoliti, Anusara Yoga (2005), Alanna Kaivalya, Jivamukti Yoga (2006), Julia Danas, Viniyoga (2007), Saul David Raye, Holistic Healing Yoga (2009) Ashley Turner, Yoga Psychology (2011) Govind Das, Bhakti Yoga Shala (2015) Raghunath Das, Bhakti Cultural Immersion 300hr YTT (2020)

favorite yoga workshops
Bryan Kest, Carolyn Myss, Rusty Wells, Janet Stone, Shiva Rea, Sean Corn, Ana T. Forrest, Baron Baptiste, Rolf Gates, Sharon Gannon

favorite books
Srîmad Bhâgavatam by Srila Vyâsadeva
Bhagavad Gita by A.C. Bhativedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Edwin Bryant
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by H. David Coulter
Myths of the Asanas by Alanna Kaivalya

favorite music
DJ Taz, Karnamrita, Temple Bhajan Band, DJ Drez, Mayapuris, Bliss, Donna De Lory, Snatam Kaur, Michael Franti, Wah