Yoga class helps minimize stress

In a health-crazed society, one exercise trend that is attracting college students is the mentally and physically challenging activity of yoga.

Shaun Rieney, a physical therapist for MedSport, uses yoga during his therapy sessions because it focuses on "great stretching regimes" and "flexibility," which can be very useful in healing.

Sara Skinner, a first-year Public Health student, said she has taken yoga classes in the past because of a back problem. Skinner said that along with building stamina, strength and endurance in a participant, yoga can be a great solution for stressed-out students who are looking for a way to cope.

Rieney said yoga can be beneficial for "type A, high strung people, ... because it teaches you how to relax."

LSA senior Sarah Marcotte-McKay just started taking yoga classes at the University this semester, and said "it's a good alternative to other forms of exercise (while) aerobics adds to stress."

Unlike other forms of exercise, yoga is not competitive, which eliminates that extra stress than can come with physical activity.

Apart from the physical benefits of yoga, Marcotte-McKay said most students who take yoga classes find them fun and enjoyable.

Jodi Tull Tyler, an Ann Arbor yoga instructor, has taught yoga for 7 years and has practiced it since 1971. She teaches Sivinanda Yoga, which she describes as "an extended dance routine" and focuses more on breathing.

Tyler described yoga as "a little mini-vacation during your day" and says that "it feels better than a good night's sleep."

Tyler has numerous University students and professors in her classes. The classes are held from at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the First Congregational Church on East William Street and S. State Street. She supplies all of her students with the necessary props - blocks and mats - and encourages students to come with their most comfortable clothes and a good attitude.

The class taught at the University in the CCRB is the Iyengar approach to Hatha Yoga, which emphasizes the use of poses to develop strength, stamina, flexibility and balance.

All of the classes at the CCRB filled up quickly this fall, but another class has been added. It's listed in the fall course guide as "Continuing Yoga" for beginners as well as intermediate students and is held on Mondays from 4:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.

For more information on Tyler's class, call 663-3798.

09-23-98