Yoga Club Expands Wellness at Manhattan University @MUYOGA.CLUB/ INSTAGRAM
Zeke Jazwinski Sports Editor
Manhattan University (MU) is stretching its way into wellness with the addition of the new Yoga Club this year. This new student-run organization is looking to promote mindfulness, wellness and movement within the university. The club is open to all experience levels, whether one is a beginner or an expert; inclusivity is promoted for all levels of expertise within the club.
The Yoga Club started this year by holding weekly outdoor sessions in Van Cortlandt Park, but due to the colder weather, the meetings have moved indoors into Smith Auditorium. The club meets weekly, on Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m.
One of the founders of the club, Lauren Ficon, a junior public relations major with a minor in business, talked about her passion for practicing yoga.
“My main reason for practicing yoga is because of the benefits,” Ficon said. “It brings not only physical benefits, but mental ones as well. As we all know, school can be a huge stressor, and yoga has played a huge part in de-stressing my everyday life. It allows me to slow down and practice being mindful and present with myself. I think this is especially important in our world today, when we’re constantly seeking quick satisfaction and rarely giving ourselves time to pause and just be.”
Yoga has the ability to offer a wide range of physical and mental benefits, including stress reduction and overall well-being.
According to Hugh Calkins, M.D., director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at Johns Hopkins, “A large number of studies show that yoga benefits many aspects of cardiovascular health … There’s been a major shift in the last five years or so in the number of cardiologists and other professionals recognizing that these benefits are real.”
The demands of juggling classwork, trying to find a job and maintaining a social life are major reasons why it is important to take time out of the day or week to relax. These factors highlight why having the option of a Yoga Club on campus can be beneficial.
Ficon further shared what inspired her to start the club.
“I was inspired to start the Yoga Club because I wanted a space and community here on campus, where we could come together to move, breathe and reset our systems,” Ficon said. “Yoga has become such an important part of my life while being at school, so I wanted to share that with my peers and create a positive, welcoming space where everyone feels supported to take time for themselves.”
One of the beneficial aspects about yoga is that it can help anyone, in simple ways such as getting up and moving your body, in-turn helping improve how you feel. Julia Taffe, a freshman biology major, spoke with The Quadrangle about why she decided to attend the first Yoga Club meeting this semester.
“I decided to come to the first meeting because I’m a dancer, and I thought it was a good idea to join a club that helps with stretching,” Taffe said.
The Yoga Club also offers time for reflection and journaling, giving students an opportunity to take time for themselves during their busy lives. Taffe spoke about how that aspect caught her attention.
“What caught my attention initially was that they offered yoga and journaling,” Taffe said. “So not only was I getting my stretches in, I had some time to reflect on my day and think about all the good that went on.”
Ficon shared a bit more on what the Yoga Club stands for, and its purpose.
“This club is truly for everyone,” Ficon said. “You don’t have to be flexible, experienced or good at yoga to come. It’s a super low-pressure atmosphere. It’s really just a space where you can show up as you are, move a little, breathe a lot and take a break from everything else going on around you. Exist without any expectations and come as you are.”
Join the Yoga Club at Manhattan University @MUYOGA.CLUB/ INSTAGRAM