Yoga: a workout experience fit for all lifestyles

ELYSSA MCFADDEN STAFF WRITER EMM722@CABRINI EDU

Want to get toned without all the harsh workouts? The alternative is yoga. Not only is yoga good for the body, but the mind and spirit as well. It helps one to sleep well, maintain weight, and have more energy and flexibility. These are only a few positive results that yoga provides.

Cabrini offers a variety of yoga at the Dixon Center. Power yoga is offered on Mondays from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 8:30-9 p.m., and Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m.

Hatha Blend yoga is offered on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Tai Chi and gentle yoga is offered on Friday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

It is free for Cabrini students, and is said to be very relaxing.

“It relieves an enormous amount of stress,” said Lauren Messick, senior, who attends yoga weekly.

Some students who haven’t been to Cabrini’s yoga classes before but want to get involved with it may feel intimidated to attend the initial class because of the lack of experience that they possess. “I was a little apprehensive about going the first time because I had never done it before, but once I got there everything was fine,” said senior Lauren Gricco.

Alot of potential attendees may be curious as to what goes on in a yoga class. It starts out with certain breathing techniques, which provide the body with energy and focus. There is concentration on stretches, which free tension from the body. These are followed by certain yoga positions, then end with relaxation techniques. During relaxation the class is concentrating on the body and mind, taking slow breaths.

Can’t make the classes that Cabrini offers? An alternative may be to try it at home. Yoga videos are available in stores, and work almost as well as attending a class.

Yoga originated five thousand years ago in India and is now practiced by over 6 million Americans. People who practice yoga on a daily basis develop strong, shapely bodies.

Another great part about yoga is that it isn’t an exercise that needs to be done for a certain amount of hours a week. Yoga can be practiced everyday for as little as fifteen to twenty minutes, and still produces an extraordinary amount of toned muscle and flexibility. The reason for this is because it relaxes our minds and when our minds are at ease, so are our muscles.

Yoga is also useful if one is looking for an increased attention span or better social skills. It is said to help all aspects of the body, and requires less energy than most exercise. If anyone is interested in yoga, come out to the Dixon Center one or two nights a week for a new toning session!