by Ruby LaBrusciano-Carris
I know that I this isn’t the first time that I’ve mentioned the campus rec programs at our very own Living Well yoga studio in the Davis Center…BUT it’s a new semester and a new year, and there are a whole new round of programs which it is the perfect time to sign up for.
Another bonus: this semester, all of the Living Well classes will be free of charge! So there’s really no excuse not to try something out. The options this time around include Pilates with Samantha Boymer, Core Vinyasa with Rachel deSimone, and Beginner Yoga with John McConnell. If you’ve never tried pilates or yoga before, don’t worry about being a beginner, because you certainly won’t be alone, and the teachers and classes are geared towards all abilities and levels. It’s an unbeatable opportunity to keep your mind and body healthy while beating those dastardly winter blues and the infamous second semester slump.
Pilates with Samantha is the only class that has already started, but newcomers are still welcome to join in on Tuesday or Thursday mornings. Samantha’s class involves a wide range of movement for everyone from beginners to those who have been practicing for a long time. It fuses mindfulness and flow-based core exercise to tone muscles, improve flexibility, and calm the mind. We also begin and end the class with a meditative rest to refocus and realign before we start the rest of the day. It is one of the most positive environments that I’ve found at UVM in my time here, and I always leave feeling one hundred percent more inspired, motivated, and invigorated.
Neither of the yoga classes have begun yet, but since they will be kicking off in mid-February, it is the perfect time to sign up. Rachel’s vinyasa class describes itself as, “This series will combine the principles of vinyasa yoga with an emphasis on finding balance and center in the body, mind, and spirit.” Vinyasa is a flow based yoga class that is both a wonderful introduction to yoga as well as mindfulness and body awareness, and this one is also particularly focused on building strength within the core. The class is midday on Mondays, so would be a great way to make the most of your lunch hour, and will run for ten weeks of the semester.
John McConnell’s class would be the best option for anyone feeling timid or unsure about beginning a yoga practice. Because it is specifically geared for beginners, everyone will be starting out in the same place, and will cover all the basics and more for anyone who is interested in yoga but hasn’t quite made it there yet.
Whether you want to uphold that New Year’s Resolution, keep your spirits up with exercise, or learn more about yoga and pilates practice, there is simply no better opportunity than the one that Living Well has been able to offer. Their beautiful new studio is fresh out of construction and just waiting for your yoga mat. So wherever and whenever you get there, I hope that your experience is just as positive as mine as been so far. Keep up the good energy and Namaste! ॐ
TO SIGN UP: Stop by, call (656-0441), or email us ([email protected]). Include your full name and the class you’d like to sign up for. All classes at the Living Well Studio in the Davis Center.
- WHAT: Pilates (Begins Jan. 21st & runs 14 weeks) WHEN: Sign up for Tues, Thurs, or both 9—9:45am INSTRUCTOR: Samantha Boymer
- WHAT: Core Vinyasa (Begins Feb. 17th & runs 10 weeks) WHEN: Mons Noon—1:00pm INSTRUCTOR: Rachel deSimone
- WHAT: Beginner Yoga (Begins Feb. 20th & runs 10 weeks) WHEN: Thurs 1:00—2:00 pm INSTRUCTOR: John McConnell
(A brief interruption! Freebie Friday Prompt 2/7/14: Hey folks, you’ve found it! We would like to know what you want to see a blog about. So, go back to Facebook, and comment on this week’s Freebie Friday post a suggestion for a future blog post. This will enter you into a drawing for a Bored hoodie. Thanks in advance, good luck! )
