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A time to relax, a time to stretch

Oct. 11, 2002

By Hannah Lodwick

Baylor's relaxation fitness class, one of the most popular human performance classes offered, routinely fills up after the first day of registration.

Right away students begin to morph into victorious warriors and downward dogs -- both yoga stretch positions.

Students have taken the class, which teaches stretching, movement, strength and balance, for decades.

Leah Marbach, a Kingwood senior, said she took the relaxation class to fulfill her human performance credit.

'At the beginning, I loved the relaxation time,' Marbach said. 'But sometimes at the end of the class, I accidentally fell asleep.'

Though originally listed in class schedules as yoga, the class has long been known as relaxation fitness because of initial concern that negative connotations with Eastern religions could shed a questionable light on the program.

John Faribault, director of the non-majors human performance program, said one reason for the class' popularity comes from the non-traditional exercise it provides. Faribault said that much like the tai chi and karate classes also taught at Baylor, yoga provides low-impact exercise for students who prefer not to run or chase tennis balls.

'There are certain mental benefits as well as physiological,' Faribault said.

He said even music instructors, with the belief that yoga may therapeutically improve posture, have encouraged piano students to take the class.

Catherine Duncan, a Rosco junior, said she took Baylor's relaxation class at the recommendation of her cross country coach, who told her she needed to stretch more.

'I really enjoyed the class,' she said. 'I think yoga teaches self control and discipline. It's calming. Even in corporate America, some companies have yoga classes to help their employees.'

Since taking the class, Duncan has continued to practice yoga several times a week in order to maintain flexibility.

She said yoga is also a way for her to prepare for prayer.

'Meditation is a Christian practice as well,' Duncan said. 'Just because you're meditating doesn't mean you're meditating on a certain religion.'

Duncan recommended the class for anyone who wants to improve overall fitness.

'It's a great way for anybody to start getting in shape,' Duncan said. 'My favorite move is the lotus, but I really like the shoulder stand too.'

Rosario Escajeda, an El Paso senior, teaches the Bearobics power yoga class which meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

She said her certification in massage therapy and training in pilates complemented her free spirit, and it prepared her to teach the power yoga, or Ashtanga, class.

'I do power yoga,' Escajeda said. 'It's a combination of all different types of yoga. The class is more sports-oriented.'

Escajeda's sessions focus on breathing and stretching techniques. She said practicing yoga creates a healthy relationship between the mind and body.

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