Sign for free yoga at the Cullowhee United Methodist Church, the photo was taken by Ashley Velazquez
The story was co-written/produced with Ashley Velazquez
A room with dimmed lights filled with the sounds of soft music and defined sounds of breathing in and out. The bodies flow from one motion to another as the instructor guides them during the class.
With what most students call hell week coming to an end and finals week upon us, we are all feeling the stress of it. But, a few simple yoga poses can help you get through it.
There are four simple yoga moves that students can do in their room, according to Chad Hallyburton, a yoga instructor at the Cullowhee United Methodist Church. The bridge, downward dog, pigeon, and forward folds are moves that can be done anywhere as long as you commit and are open to let your mind be free of the distractions.
“Yoga gives you strength, balance, flexibility, and mind control,” said Hallyburton.
Along with speaking to Hallyburton about doing yoga to relieve stress in your room, we also spoke with Mandy Dockendorf, Assistant Director for Fitness and Wellness. Dockendorf gave very similar opinions when we asked her what students, in regard to yoga, can do in their rooms to help relieve stress.
“You can do any of it, anywhere. Sun salutations are a simple flow that can be adjusted for what’s best for you,” Dockendorf explained.
The best thing about yoga is that it can be tailored to fit specific areas that relieve the tension of stress on the body. WCU student, Lyndan Jones, knows the feeling of stress with being the General Manager of WWCU FM radio station, Senator of the Student Government Association, full-time Communication student, and an avid yoga person.
Jones has been doing yoga for four years and has created a yoga flow that she will demonstrate below. She began doing yoga because of the difficult family life that she had.
“I grew up in an abusive household and me doing yoga made me feel safe and gave my mind a rest when nothing else could,” said Jones. Like many other students, Jones does enjoys what she does, but of course, there is extra stress around the end of the semester.
When doing a flow like this or one that is tailored for you, Dockendorf advised: “You have to give it your all or it won’t be beneficial. Allow yourself to step away and accept what is today.” By this, she means you have to be silent and completely focused on shutting your mind off, or you cannot expect to get anything from it if you don’t put in your all.
When doing yoga, it’s the moment when you focus on yourself and what you are doing, nothing else. This is why for students like Jones, or any student doing yoga, that it is important to take a step back from the reality of school when it overwhelms you.
For finals week, Group X will be holding free classes at the CRC on Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., Wednesday from 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., and the first week of next semester. Check out the CRC website for updates. There are also free classes at the Cullowhee United Methodist Church across from Brown dining hall on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or Tuesdays and Thursday’s at 6:30 a.m.
Whether you are feeling the stress of the beginning of the semester, outside activities, school, or finals just remember to take a break, breathe, and reset your mind to have a positive outlook when returning.
