2008 Woodie Awards
Free Yoga For All
MC Offers Free Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Bobby Rice
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports
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Classes began last year mid-spring semester and were widely unknown on campus except to those that attended. However, this year is different.
"Now we planned from the get-go, there have been a lot of advertisements around campus," said Dr. Jay Friedenberg, the teacher of the Thursday evening yoga class. A similar situation exists with Tuesday afternoon classes, taught by the on-campus nurse practitioner.
In fact, last year the class started as just a onetime RA program by seniors Damien Germino and Danielle Perkins.
"A lot of people were interested and it just took off from there. People really responded to it," Perkins said.
Junior Carolina Sanz went to the classes last year and continued this year because she enjoys going. "First of all it is a good work out, but it also relaxes me and helps me to not think about any of the other stress from the week," said Sanz.
Friedenberg, also the Chair of the Psychology Department on campus, attributes the interest in yoga at MC to the prevalence of yoga in the current day American culture.
"When yoga first became popular in the U.S. in the 1960s, you were considered a hippie for doing it. Now, there are so many kinds of yoga and it is so mainstream. There is definitely an Americanization of yoga." Friedenberg said.
The Thursday classes started this semester in the Jasper Hall lounge, which was not conducive to yoga because of the tile floor, lack of mirrors and overall space. Since moving from the Jasper Hall lounge to the Mini Gym, with the help of Jason McFall, attendance has increased each week. Thursday's class time, 5-6:30pm, was chosen by Friedenberg in the hopes that it was a time when few people had class, but it was still before dinner.
Senior Caitlin Boucher, who has only gone to the class on Thursdays said, "I like going because it's a good way to relieve stress." She feels it's not the same level of workout as other aerobic activity but, "it's a great compliment to running or lifting weights. It actually makes running easier."
Perkins said, "The best part about it is the last half hour of relaxation and meditation to wind down and de-stress. It's a great opportunity at the end of the week and it's free."
The yoga taught is in the Hotha style, the most basic, most traditional type of yoga.
Friedenberg has given many lectures on yoga philosophy. Many types of yoga exist to enhance mind and body coordination. These classes are more for exercise purposes.
As of now, Friedenberg enjoys teaches the classes and will continue to for the rest of the semester, and possibly year.
"I'm happy doing it, I would be doing it on my own anyway but it's great to have an interest here," Friedenberg said.