Beginning on Thursday, March 19th, A small group of Milligan students bent their bodies into pretzel twists and said “namaste” as they participated in “Yoga for Stress Management” classes at Milligan.
Milligan’s Counseling Center kicked off the first class in the Gilliam Wellness Center, and counseling interns Corri Richardson and Lauren Ray led the group in various yoga poses.
Corrie Richardson, a 2012 graduate of Milligan, is in her second year of the counseling masters program. As a “yogi,” or someone who loves and participates in yoga, she said she wants to help students find ways to relax.
“I love talking to different people about how they can better manage their emotions,” she said. “We can use yoga in a practical way to stay healthy physically and emotionally.”
Richardson said she first discovered yoga in Dec. 2013 and found it helpful while she was having anxiety.
While many see yoga as an eastern religion practice, Richardson said she tries to focus on Christian spirituality during her yoga sessions.
“Yoga can be perceived as mystic,” she said. “Some people link yoga with having roots in eastern religion, but with the way it has formed over the years, it’s no longer a worship activity.”
What does Milligan’s own spiritual formation program have to do with yoga? Richardson said that it can go hand in hand with Milligan’s Christian values.
“(Yoga) is about being present, and that is an important part of our discipline as Christians. It’s applicable to students, and it fits in within their spiritual formation.”
Richardson said that Theresa Garbe, Director of Alumni Relations and adjunct professor at Milligan, regularly leads yoga on Tuesday nights and inspired her to incorporate the spiritual aspect.
“It’s adaptable,” Richardson said, “And if you want moments of meditation and silence, it’s easy to make those center on Christ.”
Richardson said that students can participate in the “Yoga for Stress Management” classes until April 9th, and a special yoga session will take place next Wednesday, March 25 at 6:15 p.m. in Lower Seeger Chapel.
“It’s open to anyone who wants to come and get more focused,” she said. “Stress management is something everyone can use a little more of.”