Aggies are increasingly turning to yoga to de-stress
Audrey Lidgard is a sophomore at Utah State University studying biology education. She also practices yoga regularly.
“I think everyone should do yoga. It’s just so good for you,” she said.
Lidgard grew up doing yoga on the weekends with a family friend who was a yoga instructor. Now that she is at college, she continues to practice yoga when she can.
“Since college is so stressful and I carry all of my stress in my shoulders and back, it’s just good to get stress away and to feel betterment,” she said.
Lidgard is not alone in her practice. In 2016, Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance conducted a detailed study to determine the popularity and perceptions of yoga in America.
The study found that, in 2016, an estimated 36.7 million Americans had practiced yoga in the previous six months, up from 20.4 million people in 2012. The study also found one in three Americans have tried yoga on their own at least once.
The popularity of yoga can be seen on the campus of USU.
In fall 2016, the university began offering a minor in yoga studies and introduced a teacher training program. These programs allow students to receive yoga teaching certification and to dive deeper into the core concepts and philosophies of yoga.
The yoga studies minor came about because of a joint operation between faculty of the religious studies and health and movement sciences departments. While other colleges and universities offer yoga teacher certification, USU is the only higher education institution in Utah that offers a minor in yoga studies. According to the program website, the minor aims to provide students with an “in-depth understanding of yoga as a physical, mental, emotional and philosophical practice.”
There are currently 14 yoga courses offered on campus, according to USU’s course catalog. One of the most popular of these classes is PE 1057, the introductory yoga course. For the fall 2018 semester, most of these classes are at or near capacity.
Students on campus are also getting involved through the USU Student Association Yoga Club. The club, which meets twice a month, is now in its second year of operation. At meetings, members practice and learn yoga from qualified instructors in the community or on campus.
Keelyn Dooley, a senior in the finance major and treasurer for the group, said club membership consisted of 23 students as of Oct. 16 and continues to grow.
“We have seen a steady increase of people interested in the yoga club,” she said. “At each meeting, we usually have two to three new people join.”
Studies show that there are many benefits to practicing yoga. In the Yoga Alliance study mentioned earlier, it was found that over 90 percent of people who actively practice yoga say doing so enhances their performance in other activities. In addition, active practitioners of yoga tend to have a better image of themselves.
Students pose in a session with the USU Yoga Club
In a study published in an academic journal earlier this year, researchers in China studied the effect of yoga on a group of 192 university students. The students participated in either a general fitness or yoga class for a semester. Participants’ moods were analyzed before and after their participation in their respective classes.
The study found that, while both groups showed an increase in positive mood and a decrease in negative mood, those who participated in yoga exhibited a greater increase in mindfulness and a greater decrease in stress.
Dooley said stress relief is one of the main reasons she does yoga.
“No matter how stressful my day has been, I leave yoga feeling like I’m able to leave some of my worries behind. Along with the impact it has on my mind and body, I also enjoy exercising with a community of people,” she said.
Despite the popularity of yoga, there are still many who choose not to participate. In the Yoga Alliance study, the top reasons for not participating in yoga included being unsure if it was right for the specific individual, not knowing how to get started or having no place to go locally.
Dooley argues that yoga on campus is a good option for people that may be facing these barriers.
“My hope is that everyone feels welcome and comfortable to practice yoga at USU regardless of if you have a background in yoga or not. One of the wonderful things about yoga is that every skill level can benefit from the same class by making small adjustments to poses, she said. “If life is stressing you out, I’d definitely give yoga a shot.”
Students can follow the Yoga Club on Facebook or email ususayogaclub@gmail.com to get on the email list to find out when the next meeting is. Those interested in the minor or teacher training programs can visit http://yoga.usu.edu/ to learn more.
—alek.nelson@aggiemail.usu.edu
@nelsonalek