With finals week just around the corner, students need look no further than the ancient practice of yoga to relieve stress.
“To practice yoga involves quieting the mind,” said Dr. Maryanna Klatt. “The practice of yoga was the vehicle that exposed me to thinking that it is critical to be in the moment, fully present to whatever it is you are doing.”
Yoga has been around for thousands of years and has become increasingly popular in America throughout the past few decades.
The word “yoga” means union, and it is a practical method of bringing peace and connectedness back into the lives of those who practice it.
“Yoga has made me aware of how I move through life,” Klatt said.
Klatt received her doctorate in somatics — mind, body and spirit studies — and teaches somatic education at Ohio State. She also finds time to teach yoga at OSU as well as a yoga and spiritual parenting class at Balanced Yoga, located at 3526 N. High St.
Klatt teaches Hatha yoga, or the yoga of postures. It involves holding poses, or asanas, for varying lengths of time while stretching and contracting muscles and breathing deeply. Hatha is just one of many types of yoga.
Yoga is not only known for its mental benefits — there are physical advantages to the practice as well. It has been known to lessen the effects of premenstrual syndrome and seizures. Studies have shown yoga can benefit those living with heart disease, multiple sclerosis and even AIDS.
Yoga has also helped in treating drug addiction. According to a recent clinical trial at Harvard Medical School, people who practiced yoga for 75 minutes per week while receiving individual counseling reduced their drug use, criminal activity and cravings as much as those who went to group therapy once a week while receiving individual counseling.
More people are realizing the benefits of yoga. In California, yoga has become part of the state-mandated program for physical education.
“Anyone can do yoga as long as the instructor knows how to modify the poses for whomever they are teaching,” Klatt said.
Kathy Esson, 62, has been practicing yoga for nearly two years. She works for the state of Ohio and takes a yoga class during her lunch hour that is free to state employees.
“The class emphasized flexibility and relaxation while working my muscles,” Esson said.
Esson had noticed she was losing strength and balance as she got older. Practicing yoga has helped her with the problems that result from aging.
“I have noticed a difference in posture and breathing, and I have gained inches in flexibility,” Esson said. “It’s a matter of going through my day and never noticing any inhibitions in my body that I had before.”
Anna Badgley, a freshman in architecture, is taking a yoga class through OSU.
“I thought it would help me relieve stress, and I have definitely noticed that it helps me deal with my busy schedule,” Badgley said.
Students can take yoga as an elective through OSU, and it is also offered at Larkins Hall.
