Wellness Center, students celebrate National Yoga Awareness Month
The USD Wellness Center is advertising National Yoga Awareness Month by handing out flyers in the MUC and promoting their classes by word of mouth.
September is National Yoga Awareness Month and USD students are making preparations to celebrate the occasion.
Lauren Lavin, a yoga instructor at the Wellness Center and a sophomore studying psychology, said the Wellness Center is promoting the month by encouraging students to attend their variety of classes.
“(Yoga Awareness Month) is a month to promote yoga and its benefits around campus and in the community, as well as the mind/body benefits provided. We are promoting our mind and body classes, which are any of our yoga classes,” Lavin said. “To get involved, start coming to class. We have a great yoga community, getting to classes gets people involved, and we also have teacher training for those who want to begin leading classes here at USD.”
The Wellness Center offers a variety of classes for any experience levels, including Align, Breathe, Flow and Hot Power classes.
Brooke Haverhals, a sophomore studying dental hygiene, said although getting involved can be a difficult process to start, it is worth it in the long run.
“Starting out was harder than I expected, because it’s something you have to practice to get good at, it’s not as easy as stereotypes make it sound,” Haverhals said. “How you breathe is really important. I would recommend it to someone who wants to challenge themselves in a new way or wants a de-stressor.”
Anna Johnson, a junior studying criminal justice said she uses yoga as a positive outlet for her stress, and she appreciates how the classes are free at USD.
“Yoga is really restorative and it makes me feel good; it helps me de-stress from class. I do it two-three times a week,” Johnson said. “I found yoga at USD and picked up the group fitness classes, and I started going to them, and it’s free if you’re a USD student.”
Johnson said she would recommend yoga to someone who hasn’t tried it before.
“I would recommend it to a new person, because it shows how much of a workout it is,” she said. “It’s not super easy, and it’s fun once you get used to the poses.”
Lavin said yoga can provide health benefits to students.
“Positives of yoga are increased flexibility, stronger muscles, more toned muscles, muscle strength, mental clarity, mental focus and mind flexibility. It also taught me to slow down and really appreciate each moment and be in the moment,” Lavin said. “(Yoga) has improved my body flexibility and strength and taught me to love myself.”
The Wellness Center offers 10 classes a week at various times throughout the day. To learn more about classes and times, visit the Wellness Center website. All of the classes are free to USD students with their student identification cards.
