Logan Williams, Staff Writer
Yoga is an excellent stress aid for college students. If done right, it not only leaves the body feeling pain free, but carefree. The method behind the stress relief is simple: putting the body’s muscles under tension then releasing tension. It flushes toxins out of the muscles, helps focus on breathing, and helps ease the mind.
Yoga is the progressive movement of holding a stretch while focusing on controlling breathing. Moving from one pose to another, there is a rhythmic pattern of inhale and exhale.
Now let’s look through some excuses I hear, busting them like Myth Busters.
“But I don’t want to pay money to go to a class. Besides, I’ll look dumb!” To start, the fear of looking dumb always lurks when we are trying new things. However, this is not a reason to not try something. Breaking away from your comfort zone is a great way to find new passions. You won’t get anywhere if you don’t try!
As for the money aspect, there are free apps available for both iPhone and Android users. All you have to do is download the app, and start posing away. The school also offers a yoga class every semester, and has open classes at Alumni Field House.
For all the men reading this, you may be thinking, “But men don’t do yoga, it’s feminine.” Let’s list some names: LeBron James, Victor Cruz, Evan Longoria, Vernon Davis, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, and Russell Wilson. What do they all have in common? They kick butt at professional sports and they do yoga. Still think you are too manly for yoga?
As previously mentioned, yoga helps with stress relief, but that only introduces the many benefits. Here are some more benefits: increase in flexibility, improved muscle strength, protection of the spine, prevention of cartilage and joint breakdown, boost in immunity, lower blood sugar, improved balance, and deeper sleep.
So now that you know yoga can help cure your sleep problems, ease back pain, or improve your balance, there is only one thing left to do. Put this article down, download an app, look up a YouTube video, or join a class. No matter what you do, get out there and try yoga. The results will speak for themselves.
As always, train hard, train smart, and happy training!
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