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inShape: ‘Yoga Stretch’

Cheryl Madliger, Gazette writer and a campus recreation yoga stretch instructor, sat down with us after Sunday’s class and discussed the different types of yoga and its benefits.

What does yoga involve?

Yoga at Campus [Recreation] is Yoga Stretch. We have Anne, who teaches a very power-based yoga, Gail that is very relaxation, stretch-based yoga and then myself, which I hear a lot from people is in between. No matter what you want — stretching, conditioning, strength, flexibility — you can get it here.

What parts of the body does this class work?
The idea is you get a little bit of everything, but in my class your upper body gets a lot of work. You’re working on strength too, so your lower body is engaged — especially the core and shoulders.

Who should avoid taking this class?
Yoga is for anyone. On campus we don’t offer prenatal yoga, but yoga can be tailored for people who are pregnant. People with high blood pressure and people who are pregnant should be careful when taking the class.

There are just a couple things you have to be careful for when your head is underneath your heart, but people generally know [that] and come and talk to us. If you have an injury, such as in a shoulder or knee, if you come tell us before [the class] then we can usually modify it.

What would you say to someone is hesitant to try the class?
Come out and try it. We ask that you leave all competition and judgment at the door.  Yoga is a really personal thing. Out of all the classes, yoga is a good one to start with. We dim the lights and make it a comfortable atmosphere.

How did you get involved in fitness/teaching yoga?
I started as a spin instructor. When I couldn’t get a bike in a class I decided that I was going to be an instructor so that I can always get a bike. I really liked that, so that got me into kickboxing and all those types of classes, and then yoga. At home over the summer I got into yoga and it changed what I thought of yoga — before, I always found it kind of boring. My instructor told me of a really good certification so I went for it.

What should someone wear to yoga?
[You should wear] something comfortable that you’re able to stretch in. Pretty much anything — you could wear your pajamas if you wanted to.

What do you teach?
Right now at Campus Rec I teach triple threat, spin and yoga as well as personal training and bootcamp, and step. A little bit of everything besides pilates and aquafit.

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