Namaste, a term that signifies inclusiveness, awareness and wholeness within ourselves. Surely, you’ve heard this word being used in relation to a common practice known as yoga; however, have you ever thought about partaking in this form of meditation yourself? With loads of schoolwork and every other aspect of college life on your shoulders you may just thank yourself for doing so.
What is it?
What is now a popular method of reducing stress and promoting a good well-being, it began as a spiritual practice rooted in Indian philosophy. The different aspects of yoga such as breathing techniques, good posture and body positions were all associated with spiritual liberation from the bondage that stems from unfavorable beliefs and morals. The ultimate goal of yoga was to purify the mind and soul from unclear functioning, almost like hitting the “reset button” for your body; however, you don’t need to believe in any religious affirmations to take part in this fantastic method of exercise.
How do I practice yoga?
Like many beginners in yoga, it may be a challenge figuring out where to start. The best part is there are no wrong answers! Discovering yoga is all about finding comfort no matter what position you end up in. It can be as easy as standing with your legs and shoulders a width apart while taking deep, concentrated breaths. Hatha Yoga is a type of yoga where each pose is held for several deep breaths. It is a perfect starting point for those with little to no experience. Of course, there are more sophisticated regimens designed to help all sorts of cases.
How can yoga help college students?
As with every kind of yoga, the improvement of the body’s overall health will certainly be a main focus; however, for college students stress management and developing a healthy habit are the two main advantages of partaking in consistent yoga practice. According to an online article titled “Yoga for the Body and Mind” published by Harvard Medical School, yoga can enhance the body’s ability to interpret nerve signals from the brain to the muscles which are associated with reduced stress levels.
Do you want to include yoga in your college experience?
If you think yoga may be a great addition to your schedule, KSU offers group yoga sessions on both the Marietta and Kennesaw campuses. More information about these sessions can be found on the owl life website.
VINYASA YOGA
is a rather fast-paced yoga practice where poses are adjusted with each breath. For example, one may take a sequence of three breaths while alternating between a downward dog position, an upward dog position and a child’s pose position. This is not recommended for beginners as it can be difficult to keep up with.
ASHTANGA YOGA
requires a little memorization as it does follow a strict routine. Similar to Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga is fast-paced and a bit of a challenge.
LYENGAR YOGA
focuses on maintaining immaculate form. This method is better taught at a studio where props are put to use to achieve stability in each pose. People who have suffered an injury from sports, a car wreck or any other accident may find themselves practicing Lyengar Yoga while recuperating.
HOT YOGA
is essentially what it sounds like. Typically, the room temperature is heated to around 100 degrees to allow better blood circulation so that your muscles retrieve more oxygen to function smoother.
YIN YOGA
will test your strength as each pose is held for at least thirty seconds. This is not necessarily a HIIT workout but rather a calming method of practice most commonly used to alleviate stress within your muscles and your mind.
YOGA FOR ATHLETES
is used for agility. An athlete of any kind can perform any sort of yoga; however, yoga for athletes is designed to increase mobility in areas such as hip flexors, core and shoulders for a better overall performance and mood.