Mid-October is like one long Wednesday, we’re halfway through the semester and we’re just trying to stay sane. Mid-term exams are finishing up and we’re all fighting off some kind of illness. Plus, the mornings and evenings are so cold we have to break out our winter coats. It’s hard to keep up the motivation to get to the gym or go outside when all you want to do is stay snuggled under your blankets watching Netflix. Feeling stressed? Want to get active but don’t want to do it outside? Head on over to Fascitelli for a yoga class!

Walking into your first yoga class can be intimidating. When I went to my first class I was nervous. I thought I wasn’t going to fit in because I wasn’t flexible and had horrible balance. There are lots of stereotypes and misconceptions that surround yoga. For example, many people may think that in order to practice you must have a certain body type or have certain skills. When in reality yoga is very accepting and judgment-free.

Never been to yoga class? Unsure of what type of yoga is best for you? I’m here to shed some light on these topics, introduce some of my favorite types of yoga (which are all offered here at URI) and shut down some of these misconceptions that surround yoga as a whole!

Just a heads up, I’m certainly not a yoga expert. Everything in this post is strictly from my personal experiences practicing yoga in both a classroom and at home setting.  

Where do I start?

Yoga is great because it incorporates the mind body and spirit. Let’s face it, college is very stressful. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I wanted to rip my human anatomy textbook in half my sophomore year. It’s important that we take the time to check in with ourselves and take some time to de-stress and unwind.

Whether you’re looking to clear your mind or strengthen your muscles, yoga is a great place to start.

SO, when you’re ready to sign up for your first yoga class use IMleagues (the website/app to sign up for group exercise). It’s easy to get overwhelmed when signing up because there are so many different kinds of yoga offered. Thankfully, if you click on each class there is a brief description.

If you are a beginner I would suggest taking a slow flow or gentle yoga class which will allow you to learn some of the basic postures and get comfortable moving. You’ll build confidence in your practice and soon be able to branch out into other types of classes.

Vinyasa (my favorite!)

I’ve been practicing yoga on a semi-regular basis for the past three years. I’ve tried many different types of yoga classes and I must say that vinyasa is my favorite. Vinyasa is dynamic, you perform a flow of movements with synchronized breaths.

Vinyasa is my favorite because the flow allows for muscle strengthening while clearing your mind through your breath.

At first, I really struggled with the whole “breath” and “breathing” part of yoga. Instructors will prompt you on when to inhale and exhale and how forceful to make the breaths but it is hard to get used to. Since breathing is something that we do unconsciously, thinking about it makes something that is usually simple seem complicated.

With practice, this part gets easier. Focusing on your breath in combination with the flow of movements really allows you to clear your mind and focus on what you are feeling in that exact moment.

Buti® Yoga

NEW to URI is Buti®Yoga! If you’re interested in yoga and want to get a good workout in give this class a try! A combination of power yoga, core strength, muscle toning, and dancing. This class will have you sweating by the end. This class is offered on Mondays and Fridays in Fascitelli.

Yoga is for everyone

Yoga isn’t only for skinny people, yoga isn’t only for flexible people, yoga isn’t only for athletic people, yoga isn’t only for women. Yoga is for everyone.

Personally, I was scared to start going to yoga because I am not flexible and I am not by any means a “small” girl (I’m 5’11”). After my first few classes, I realized none of that mattered. What mattered was the pain relief I was getting in my low back and my stress levels beginning to decrease.

Some days you may show up to class feeling on top of the world and you hold all your poses and challenge yourself to increase the difficulty. Some days you may show up and want to sit in child’s pose the whole time and that is OK too.

No mat? No problem

Here at URI yoga classes are FREE for students. All you need to do is sign up for class on IMleagues. If you don’t have your own mat you don’t need to worry, there are plenty available to borrow as well as blocks, straps and any other prop you may need during your practice.

If you’d like to start practicing yoga but you do not want to go to class there are plenty of videos on youtube that you can do at home! Click here to watch my favorite.

Yoga is something that you can incorporate into your daily life, in the morning I like to do childs and cat-cow pose to stretch out my back. Also, when I’m stressed or nervous I really focus in on my breathing.

Don’t get me wrong, yoga is challenging, but like anything, it will get easier and more enjoyable with practice. So sign up for your first class today!

Have you been to a class here at URI? Which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Coming Soon!

Intramural Fall 2 Sports registration is from Oct 17-30th, offered sports include indoor soccer, floor hockey, 3v3 basketball, volleyball, and billiards!

 

See ya next week!
-Leah