Seton Hall University offers a plethora of yoga-centric fitness classes, amongst others, at the Richie Regan Recreation Center for all students as well as in its academic curriculum.
[caption id="attachment_22932" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Photo via Pixabay[/caption]
Shannon Reilly, a senior anthropology major and yoga instructor since 2015, commented on the lessons that yoga has taught her.
“I’ve learned to be able to creatively express yourself truthfully, maintain playfulness for those potentially awkward moments, keep your caring eyes open on your students to make the right cues to guide their yoga experience all while being yoga (in union) with everyone in your presence is a lot for a beginning yoga teacher to handle,” Reilly said.
As a yoga teacher, it is important to make people comfortable.
“I’ve learned to relax the most, to not sweat the ‘small’ stuff, and to breathe through the ‘big’ stuff,” Reilly said. “Teaching/practicing yoga has been a great self-awareness/environment-awareness learning experience.”
As a yoga instructor, Reilly changes her routine almost daily.
“Every day, there is a different energy in our minds and body — so I work with what I got and pick my ‘tools’ of yoga techniques that will best fit how I feel in my mind/body for that day,” Reilly said. “I start the class off by asking my students how they are feeling that day and if they’ve had any injuries I should know about; this shapes how I teach. Every single person and class is unique.”
Michelle Prizzi, a senior anthropology major with a minor in archaeology, commented on why she chose to take the class yoga theory and application. “I wanted to take the class to continue my practice but also to learn other concepts around yoga like the niyamas, yamas, chakras, etc,” she said.
Prizzi also discussed the work required of her in the class, which adds to her knowledge on all things yoga related.
“Professor Williams always gives us thought provoking journals,” Prizzi said. “For example, she will have us journal on five words we’d use to describe ourselves and how they relate to our yoga practice. We also took a dosha quiz which is kind of like the yogi personality quiz and we each got to learn about ourselves that way and what foods we should try and eat more of based on our dosha.”
Sakina Williams, a professor who teaches yoga theory and application, shared why she chose to teach this class.
“I think everyone can benefit from yoga, especially college students,” Williams said. “My class helps students learn and develop skills on how to de-stress from the worries of time management, exams and other challenges.”
Williams also shared the lessons she has taught her students within the classroom.
“I have taught my students skills to reground themselves when student life becomes overwhelming as well as about self-care, self-awareness and to be mindful individuals,” Williams said. “My lessons are life lessons to be used beyond the classroom. Students work within their own comfort level and space to learn yoga as a lifestyle.”
Rhania Kamel can be reached at rhania.kamel@student.shu.edu.
Comments
