The benefits of Yoga

Did you know that Muhlenberg offers its students a free, complete yoga class every Tuesday night? Class runs from 8:30 p.m. to about 9:40 p.m. and is held in the wrestling room in the Life Sports Center. All students are welcome and it does not require a weekly commitment or any past experience. Even if you're just the tiniest bit curious, head over to the gym this Tuesday and discover for yourself what all the hype is about!To help shed some light on the practice and benefits of yoga, we consulted instructor Christi Rutkowski. She has been teaching yoga at the college level for four years now. She not only leads a class here at Muhlenberg, but instructs classes for all age levels and abilities throughout the Lehigh Valley. She shares some of her knowledge and experience with us below.

Briefly describe a typical Tuesday night yoga session.

CR: The lights are dimmed and relaxing music is playing. We begin each class with a brief philosophy discussion (for example, mindfulness) which we will practice through the duration of the class. Then we review our breathing (diaphragmatic). Most of class is postures. We practice a variation of posture styles, ensuring a balanced variety. We end class with a relaxation and a meditation. Lots of laughter included!

What kind of health benefits would students receive by attending weekly classes?

CR: Every person is different in their needs when coming to class. That's the beauty of yoga! It is holistic, which helps you feel overall balanced and focused. Most students gain an increase in strength and flexibility, a decrease in stress levels and tension in the muscles, improved immune system functioning, and a feeling of mental clarity and peace.

Students with specific needs have been able to lower blood pressure, heal from emotional wounds, improve grades and overall success in classes, sleep better, improve relationships, embrace their spiritual beliefs, etc. Regular attendance is crucial to see lasting results.

How would students seeking weight loss benefit from yoga?

CR: By attending yoga at Muhlenberg, students looking to lose weight will learn how to listen to their bodies better, and judge when and what to eat. Yoga helps you learn to overcome stressful eating and unhealthy habits. Also, we do a lot of abdominal twisting and stretching, which will improve digestive system functioning. Many of the stretches are designed to balance the endocrine system. Because hormones have a lot to do with body shape as well as emotional status, balancing them will achieve an overall improvement of physical and emotional well-being.

Would you be able to briefly describe the basic principles and origins of yoga for those who are unfamiliar with the practice?

CR: Yoga is a practice that goes back at least 7,000 years, pre-dating most modern religions and philosophies. Its goals were to answer the ultimate questions, "Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose?" In meditation, the masters of the past came to the conclusion that our natural state is happy, truthful and peaceful and that our purpose is to help each other heal so that we may all someday be who we are supposed to be. Yoga philosophy believes that we cause our own unhappiness through our unhealthy choices.

So, through practice, we can improve our physical, mental, and spiritual health, enabling us to be healthy enough to make good choices, helping, rather than hurting ourselves and each other.

A balanced practice of stretching, breathing, relaxation and meditation practices, over time, coordinated with healthy diet and sleep patterns, will allow the practitioner to live life they want and to be the person they truly want to be!

Where can students go for more information on yoga?

CR: There are many books and DVDs out there. Pay attention when choosing these. Be sure the author has education and experience in yoga. Anytime you try a class or education material, like the internet, USE YOUR INTUITION. If it doesn't feel right, it's not for you. There are so many styles of yoga, there's one for everybody!

Do you have any closing advice for students?

CR: Embrace this time in your life! This is a time for discovery and self-transformation. It can also be terrifying and overwhelming. The best thing you can do for yourself is to establish an outlet for yourself, something you can turn to in times of stress that will help you stay grounded and balanced, like exercise, journaling, art or music, faith, meditation etc.

To find out more, you can email Christi at quietheartyoga@hotmail.com or call her at 484-515-8356.

Better yet, come out to a Tuesday night yoga class and talk with her yourself!