At Denison, we are fortunate to have a surplus of different clubs and organizations on campus which explore numerous interests. One of these clubs geared toward both physical and mental health is the Denison Yoga Club.
Led by professional instructors, the club serves as a peaceful environment for people of all experience levels to practice yoga. Light music is played throughout the classes to help students settle in and relax throughout the class. Numerous studies have shown how valuable it is to take time to slow down, breath and de-stress. This is especially important at a school like Dension where students are busy on a day-to-day basis with classes, athletics and extracurriculars,
Annie Hartman ‘20, an international studies and psychology double major, spoke about all the club has to offer for students.
“Yoga club is an amazing opportunity for students to take a break from their week and destress. The instructors are really passionate about what they do and are always open for suggestions. The club has grown more this year in attendance then it ever has before. Even if you’ve never tried yoga, I recommend it to everyone. Plus, it’s free,” Hartman said.
In addition, Alyssa Geddis ‘21, a health, exercise and sport studies major is currently president of the club. At home she regularly attends her local studio. She commented on why she personally finds time in her busy week for yoga, “I do yoga to destress, which is extremely important when being in school. Often times college can be a high-stress environment, and without having an outlet school can get to be too much. Personally when I do yoga I am able to focus solely on the class and be in the moment, letting myself temporarily forget outside stressors,” Geddis said.
Nick Berry ‘21 health, exercise, and sport studies major is another student on campus who enjoys yoga, and talked about all the benefits it can have on the mind and body, “The techniques developed by the yogis to transcend help us strip away the things that try to mis-define us; the emotions, sensations, desires, achievements and failures of daily life. Through yoga we learn to develop a greater awareness of our physical and psychological states. As a result, we’re in a position to better manage our reactions to the thoughts, feelings and responses we have to the various situations we deal with everyday,” he said.
“With greater awareness comes the sensitivity and skill to find and remove the physical and psychological blocks that often keep us from our true selves. We no longer identify with our conditions. Instead of saying ‘I am stressed,’ we begin to say, ‘I feel stress,’ or ‘stress is present,’. It’s a subtle, but powerful difference,” Nick said.
Having an outlet to destress in a personal way can help students resettle during busy and stressful times, when the world seems to be spinning a bit too fast. Geddis spoke to why it’s important to have this type of club on campus.
“I believe that having a yoga club on campus provides a time and place for students to relax and unwind from classes and work. It is readily available to everyone in our Denison community, and can also serve as a place to meet other students who enjoy this activity as well,” she said.
Denison Yoga Club meets twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays, both at 5 p.m. in the Knapp Performance Space. Mats are provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own.
Geddis feels it’d be beneficial to all students if they took advantage of this opportunity. “Students should take advantage of this club! All levels are welcome and encouraged to go, and the teachers are great,” said Geddis.
In between homework, classes and carrying out other day-to-day responsibilities, be sure to stop in and try the yoga club. You may be surprised at how good it feels to simply slow down, breath and be.