Turn up the Enya: Students relieve stress with yoga
This is an excerpt of the Flat Hat article, Turn up the Enya: Students relieve stress with yoga, Written By: Devon Ivie on September 19, 2013
There are many different yogic philosophies and schools, rendering a stereotypical instructor or class invalid.
Although consistent practice results in physical strength, most notably in arm, leg and core muscles, yoga has also been notably regarded as a major source of mental health recovery and restoration, particularly in anxiety and depression. Patricia K. Charles, a faculty member in the department of kinesiology and health sciences and current instructor of the one-credit yoga classes, noted the vast increase of research and studies throughout the country, most recently at Boston University’s School of Medicine and UCLA, that verify the positive psychological benefits of yoga. Both studies reported significant decreases in anxiety and depression in people after yoga sessions.
Charles also noted yoga’s increasing presence in college communities, such as the University of Virginia’s reception of a $10 million grant to build a yoga center.
“It is a very exciting time to be teaching yoga,” Charles said.
Still can’t make it to a mat?
“Working with the breath is a simple yet effective method for dealing with stress, distress or anxiety,” Charles said. “If you can breathe, you can practice yoga.”