The Wake

If high school is the best time of your life, then what is college? You go to class, go to the library, work if you have a job, stay up late, pass out from exhaustion then repeat it all. Everyday. The weekends offer a brief intermission–one where academia–more often than not, is replaced with raucous dance parties or impromptu beer fests. Unfortunately, this is only a temporary relief with detrimental effects to your well-being. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy the warmth that a few good beers provide, but I also realize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, for mind and body.

Luckily, there are options for those of us who need a respite from such chaos; one that will soothe your tensions, calm your manic thoughts and offer repose from the hectic ways of the world. It’s called yoga, and while many believe this practice to be an uncomfortable experience of awkward twisting and spacey dialogue, those willing to attend walk away feeling rejuvenated, both spiritually and physically.

Ever since I’d heard about the free yoga classes held at Boynton, I’d been meaning to go to one and see if it was something I’d be willing to allot time for in my crazy schedule. As it turns out, I found myself penciling the times of the classes into my calendar as soon as I got home. The class began with calming techniques, involving slow movement and full body relaxation. The instructor had soft music playing as you followed her gently spoken directions on how to stretch the tense areas of your body and loosen the knots caused by stress. Certain positions, such as the Extended Child and Table, are the base poses that allow you to center your thoughts and regain your balance before doing the more complicated or difficult positions. One such position requires an extreme amount of flexibility and that is the Handstand. It begins as the Dolphin pose, where you make an upside down “V” with your elbows and forearms as your balancing base and your feet in front of you. You then walk your legs toward your arms, closing the gap in the “V” until you can go no further; in which case you lift your legs, one by one, above your head and hold it there for as long as you can. If done correctly, your entire body’s weight will be on your forearms and in your shoulders. However, you should not feel any pain; instead, it is performed to calm your brain and relieve stress. Yoga has been associated with therapeutic concentration ever since it began.

Part of the therapeutic nature of yoga is the last pose of the session, which is centered on deep relaxation. This is called the Corpse pose. A daunting name, yet descriptive of what it entails. Basically, when all is said and done, this pose symbolizes the “death” of stereotyped body image and allows you to be completely one with yourself. It takes many years to achieve full effects of this pose, but I’m sure it’s a very tranquilizing experience. Throughout the class but most specifically at the end, it is as if your body has taken a deep breath of air and exhaled it all at once. You are completely content. Your mind, while still racing with thoughts, has taken a step back and is watching those thoughts from a third person’s view. Not to say they’re meaningless or unimportant, but they have now become objects of introspection or worries that appear manageable rather than incomprehensible and unfocused.

Studies at the U have shown that exercising regularly can improve your grades, so why not exercise in a way that is both relaxing and reenergizing? Give yourself a break and stop by Boynton for one of their free yoga classes, or get a FitPass from the Rec Center to take the variety of yoga classes that they offer. Your body will thank you.

Boynton classes are held in room W120,. Monday 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 5-6 p.m., and Fridays from 12-1 p.m. The Rec Center’s group fitness schedule can be found online at www.recsports.umn.edu.