Being a college student with tons of homework, studying, project deadlines, extracurricular activities, and for many of us a part-time job, it is easy to feel as if we are being pulled in three different directions at once. While getting caught up in the semester, students often forget to take some time for themselves to actually wind down. Besides the typical “fun” activities that students usually engage in, such as football games and nights out dancing to take some time away from their hectic schedules, yoga offers relaxation, stretching, and breathing techniques that any student can benefit from. After just a few moments of beginning yoga, it is easy for the students to forget about the outside world and for once just concentrate on their internal feelings while bringing balance to their lives.
The practice of Yoga has been taking place for more than 5,000 years. The word Yoga means “to join or yoke together” and it is one of the only exercises that actually works at bringing the mind and body together as one harmonious element. Yoga focuses on exercise, breathing, and meditation. Once a person chooses to study and participate in Yoga, they will find that the body is looked upon as the primary instrument that allows us to live in this world. When a person is born, they only have one body that is issued to them. It is that person’s job to take care of it the best that they can to live with a genuine quality of life. The body should be treated with a great deal of care and respect. As college students, showing our bodies’ great respect is not always the case. We often carry loads of stress around with us, stay up long nights, eat unhealthy foods since they are quick and available, as well at some point even becoming caffeine dependent. Yoga can introduce many positive attributes to a student buy first allowing them to become more flexible which will relieve stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue. Yoga will also incorporate better posture, allow a sense of calmness and reduce stress, as well as enhance concentration and a positive mood.
Currently USF offers several different yoga classes that are available for free in the recreation center that are all one hour long session. I would recommend trying each one out just to see the various yoga styles that are available. If one isn’t right for you then perhaps another one will be. Check out the live group fitness schedule at the Campus Recreation center.
Styles of Yoga at USF
Hatha Yoga- Mondays and Wednesdays at 9AM
Hatha Yoga includes any of the physical practices of yoga. This is usually a slow-pace stretching class that includes some breathing and meditation exercises. Hatha Yoga is very good for beginners to learn basic poses.
Yoga Sculpt- Mondays at 7PM
Yoga Sculpt is designed to work the muscles and improve flexibility. A combination of both Vinyasa flow and light weights are used for a challenging yet relaxing experience.
Vinyasa Yoga- Tuesdays at 10AM
Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement”. The teacher will instruct its students to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. While attending this class expect movement and stretching. Vinyasa yoga also includes sun salutations that allows one to “go through the vinyasa”.
Armit Yoga- Tuesdays at 7PM
Armit Yoga connects yoga practice with the ancient roots that are at the core of all branches in yoga. There are eight branches in yoga and the physical practice of yoga is just one of them. Armit Yoga allows the students to connect to other branches by including mental and spiritual disciplines that are used in Raja Yoga, while inwardly focusing attention and meditative awareness the physical elements of Hatha Yoga are included. Armit Yoga brings Raja and Hatha into one practice of yoga.
Power Flow Yoga – Thursdays at 10AM
Power Flow Yoga is a vinyasa style yoga that uses a flowing sequence of yoga poses and breaths. Internal heat is generated by performing sun salutations, warrior poses and balance poses. Quiet meditation time is also usually practiced at the beginning and end of the class.
Warrior Yoga- Fridays at 10AM
Warrior Yoga focuses on balance, strength and flexibility. It starts off slow and then heat is generated until the heart is pumping. There are different warrior poses that are focused on throughout the class that are said to release your inner spiritual warrior.