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Yoga for students
Bust those stress balls!
Do you need to shift some stubborn festive pounds? Have you noticed that your stress levels have gone through the roof with exams looming ahead? Or are you shuddering at the thought of knuckling down for your mocks and then the Junior or Leaving Certificate exams hanging over your head?
Well, never fear - one way to bust those stress balls and anxious knots in your tummy is to take up a regular yoga practice. You’re never too young to start yoga; children as young as five have been known to take to the mat to Zen out!
There are many types of yoga styles out there to suit even the worst couch potato. Any style should get you moving and motivated. And you don’t need to look too far in Dublin to find a welcoming, warm yoga studio.
If the stress factor is your bane, then a slow paced Hatha yoga class could be the X-Factor for you. When people think of yoga, it is actually Hatha yoga they are thinking of. It has been around since the 15th century and hails from India, with several other styles of yoga growing from its ethos. This style of yoga is perfect for frazzled student brains and heightened stress levels. It flows in a gentle motion, almost like a living, breathing dance and through yogic breathing it allows your mind to be still and calm.
If you are bursting with anxious or restless energy and are looking for something a bit faster paced, Ashtanga Yoga is for you. It is the most challenging and demanding physically of the yoga styles, but is equally as rewarding. It will leave you sweating. but energised and refreshed. (And you won’t mind eating a big meal after an Ashtanga class as you will feel starving!) The postures flow in quick succession and the breath is tied to each movement – it will definitely blow the cobwebs away and give you a fresh, clear mind for studying and acing those exams!
We all know it is very easy to over-indulge in the biscuit tin after that big Christmas dinner, with chocolate selection boxes coming from every direction from doting aunties and grannies. So, for those teenagers who are thinking of beating the bulge that the festive season brought, perhaps a Hot Yoga class, also known as Bikram Yoga, could be the ticket to a more toned physique. This type of yoga is very challenging and is performed in a hot studio, so there’s no point in dressing to impress – just dress to sweat!! And make sure you have a towel and plenty of water. Hot yoga is great for losing those stubborn pounds and it helps to tone and reshape muscles. The heat also helps to increase depth and flexibility.
That is just a brief dip in the pond when it comes to the different types of yoga on offer. In the summer months, there are some teachers who organise yoga classes in the park, for example the Phoenix Park or St Stephen’s Green. So you could set yourself a goal to help you get through those late spring/early summer months of studying – rewarding yourself for a job well done in your exams by treating yourself to some yoga classes in the sun!
Next summer is shaping up nicely!!
By: Lorraine Flood
