Balance Your Way To Fit

With high levels of stress coursing through a college campus students may seek a way to release the built up tension.  Yoga is known for its stress relieving health-benefits, although many may not know that it can also create both a strong and flexible body.  Marisa Jaroszewski, yogi in training, says, “It’s funny to see how you change in favor to what your body and lifestyle need. A few months ago I was focusing on shoulder stands, head stands, and strength poses. And looking back at that time in my life I needed more strength.”

Yoga is becoming more and more popular as research continues to show its countless health benefits.  Recent studies show that benefits of yoga can include anything from boosting your immunity to reducing food cravings.  Your body doesn’t only gain physical strength and flexibility, but you mentally become more aware of yourself. You can find more about The Science Behind Yoga on the Yoga Teacher Training Blog.

Many forms of yoga exist, which can cause confusion for any yoga beginner.  To minimize your options, ask yourself if you’re looking for a more intense workout or an outlet to relieve built up stress.  Don’t be afraid to try a few different classes to find what fits your goals the best.  Yoga Digest does a great job at explaining a few of the more popular styles of yoga.

West Virginia University offers two very different styles of yoga open for all students and faculty.  The first form of yoga offered is called power yoga.  Power yoga focuses on the combination of movement and breath.  “Students can expect a class that engages core muscles, challenges balance, and increases flexibility.”

The second style of yoga offered is known as restorative yoga.  Restorative yoga is one that will relax your body and help release built up tensions.  This class focuses on strengthening and stretching the body.

Class times and instructors vary month to month.  You can find the class schedule both online or on the bottom floor of the Student Rec Center.

 

Addiction Crisis Continues to Rise

It used to be uncommon to talk to someone who has been affected by drug addiction.  Whether it be themselves, a family member, or a close friend, over the past year it seems that almost everyone has been touched with addiction in some way.  Substance abuse continues to rise as addictive painkillers and heroin continue to increase in popularity across the country.

Drug addiction is such a scary thing man…

— Maddy Mimnaugh (@MaddyMimnaugh) October 18, 2016

In West Virginia, 34 out of every 100,000 deaths are related to drug overdose.  This is said to be the highest in the nation.  An article from the Daily Athenaeum, around this time last year, was reporting the same problem, and it only continues to rise.

Young adults are given prescription drugs not realizing how addictive they are, and before they know it, they have a problem.  When doctors start to cut off on renewing the prescription drug, patients turn to the streets to get their fix.

Drug addiction effects everyone surrounded by the addict.  Although the addict doesn’t realize it, addiction takes a toll on their family that is truly indescribable.

https://twitter.com/BriRoseMiller/status/786968364300193797

drugs are not a joke, and neither is the toll it takes on your family. as someone who's family member is fighting a drug addiction, i know.

— sav ☆ (@savvy_grace22) October 15, 2016

The addict feels extreme pain. Family and friends feel extreme pain. Soon everyone becomes selfish and thinks their pain is the worst. Take a look at The Selfish Truth Behind Addiction, a collaborative post by Emily Arcuri and myself, to hear about our personal experience with an addict. 

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin will be holding an event on Monday, October 24th to discuss the University’s response to the recent addiction crisis in West Virginia. You can find more information on this event here.

West Virginia University is trying to educate students on this topic by offering a 2 credit class in Spring of 2017 for those interested in learning more about illicit drugs.  “The taboo nature of illegal drugs and their illicit use makes for a fascinating story of history, culture, medicine, and the ongoing challenge of identifying the drugs being used and abused by the American populace.  With nationwide deaths from overdose at an all-time high, there’s no better time for everyone to learn about “killer chemicals”.”  If you have any questions about the course you can contact the instructor Dr. Rachel Mohr at rmmohr@mail.wvu.edu.

To learn and understand more about addiction check out the blog The Memoirs of an Addicted Brain.  Marc Lewis does an impeccable job at comparing addiction to other problems around the world. He also shares his own personal substance abuse experience while still shedding light on a problem that is slowly taking over the country.

 

 

 

Crunch Your Way To Fit

This weeks workout is slightly different from the usual group exercises.  The majority of classes offered at the WVU Rec Center are also cardio based.  Les Mills CXWORX is a 30 minute, high-intensity, workout built to strengthen your core and tone your abs, butt, and legs.

Participants will work with resistance tubing and weight plates, as well as the incorporation of body weight exercises. CXWORX can modify each exercise to match your level of fitness.

Not only are you able to attend the class, but WVU is offering a 2-day certification to become a Les Mills CXWORX Instructor! The certification classes aren’t offered until November, but many are advised to sign-up early to be certain you get a spot.

Class times and instructors tend to vary from month to month.  A full class schedule is offered in the WVU Student Rec Center, as well as online.

WELLWVU Thursday?

Did you know that every Thursday WELLwvu sets up a stand across from the mountainlair?  “We set up in front of the lair because that is where the majority of ‘traffic’ will be”, says WELLwvu rep Amanda Lacroix.  The stand includes a very intriguing spinning wheel, and did I mention prizes?? Oh yeah,  you will be rewarded a prize if you provide the correct answer to the question the wheel chose!! Lacroix jokes that people definitely approach the stand because of the wheel.

Obviously prizes are exciting and all, but the best part about the WELLwvu stand is the amount of knowledge standing behind it. The whole pop-up is filled with information along the sides about each program WELLwvu offers.  Any questions or interests you may have can easily be answered by one of the WELLwvu representatives.

Not only is the location one of the busiest in Morgantown, there are also several other stands set up to attract out-and-about students.  A group of diverse students work together to run a delicious taco stand that has everything from classic beef to chorizo and potato.  Make sure you get your taco early though because they tend to run out of the more popular combinations pretty quickly!

An older man runs what seems to be a small farmers market, displaying an array of colorful vegetables and fruits.

A young woman also sets up a freshly squeezed lemonade stand and believe me when I say it is DELICIOUS.

Each booth opens up every Thursday around 9AM and shuts down when students seem to be clearing out of the area around 4PM.  Events like this are what keep students involved with the West Virginia University community. To seek more of  WELLwvu you can follow @WELLWVU on Twitter.

 

Dance Your Way To Fit

This weeks workout is made for anyone looking to burn calories in a fun and effective way.  Yes, you guessed it, ZUMBA!

Zumba is an hour long class that  combines beginner dance moves and high energy tunes from all over the world.  Each class begins with a warm-up and ends with a cool down period. Instructors encourage all participants to make up their own moves, laugh and to enjoy the program.  This class is directed towards those of ALL different fitness levels.

How many people ACTUALLY enjoy running in one place on a treadmill for 30 minutes?  I know I don’t, so I went to a Zumba class to talk to students about what the rave was all about.

Lindsay Berg, WVU junior, says, “You’re getting a great workout while having fun with your friends, what more is there to ask for?”

Another Zumba goer admits that she has tried everything, but she could never stick with it. “I tried everything from yoga to biking, you name it.  I kept getting bored with everything, until I found Zumba!” says sophomore Anna Del Zoppo.

Class times and instructors vary from month to month. An October schedule is provided both online and on the bottom level of the Student Rec Center. Participants are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to class time, due to a first come first serve basis.