Yoga for Body and Mind
Olivia Brann, a first-year student in the College of Pharmacy, contributed the following article as one of the educational initiatives sponsored by NEOMED’s Student Wellness Committee as part of their peer-support series on the eight dimensions of wellness. The eight dimensions that this student-and-staff committee supports include: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual wellness. The concept of eight dimensions of wellness comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a U.S. government agency.
One of the many things that got me through my first semester in school is staying physically healthy. In the past, I found a great outlet from the stresses of school by doing yoga. I started going to yoga classes in a small privately owned studio. Although I was nervous to start going without any experience, it was a judgment-free zone and the instructors were great. Not only does yoga help you stay physically active, but it also is good for your mental health. Setting time aside once or twice a week for about an hour to practice yoga makes the daily stresses enormously better. Not only is it a nice break from studying; it is also a designated time that you can step away from your electronics.
Some things that yoga does are:
- Helps you sleep better
- Gives you more energy and improved attitude
- Promotes better self-care
- And most importantly, manages stress (which, I am sure we all need)
I noticed changes in my motivation, physical and mental health when I started doing yoga. In addition, I also saw improvements in my grades as well. Although it’s hard to set aside time for physical health, I highly recommend trying it out at least once to see how it makes you feel. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a beneficial and refreshing new hobby. If you didn’t get a chance to get to the gym or try a new class-oriented exercise, try making it a new goal for 2023!
In addition, Sequoia Wellness offers multiple walk-in classes throughout the week, which are free to NEOMED students. The days and times for many different styles of yoga classes can be found on their website.