UIndy stretches for health
A certified yoga instructor teaches yoga at the University of Indianapolis every Thursday from 5:45-6:45 p.m., and the cost of the class is $80 for students and $90 for faculty and staff for a 10 week series.
Amanda Markland is the instructor, also known as a registered yoga teacher (RYT). With a master’s degree in public administration, Markland took some undergraduate yoga classes and loved them.
She has been teaching yoga since 2009. She had a full-time job while in school. This is now her second semester teaching a yoga class at the University of Indianapolis. The class is offered to all faculty, staff and students.
University of Indianapolis students, faculty and staff find their center of gravity as they participate in a 10 week yoga class offered through the Koval Nursing Center on campus every Thursday night from 5:45-6:45. Photo by Alexis Mitchell.
The idea to offer yoga at UIndy originated with the university’s Koval Nursing Center.
According to Director of the Koval Nursing Center Barb Kelly, yoga has been active at UIndy since 1997.
“Everyone who takes yoga loves it,” Kelly said. “It’s relaxing and different than just working out in the gym with weights or running.”
Kelly said she is making arrangements with the Department of Kinesiology for yoga to become a one credit hour course at UIndy.
Markland taught yoga last semester to 10 participants. Fifteen have signed up to take the course this semester.
The course is offered in both the fall and spring semesters. The course has also been offered in the summer in previous years, but it is still in question whether summer yoga will be offered and is dependent upon student interest.
According to Markland, the structure of the course is similar every session; it consisting of many different styles and flexibility.
“If you are looking for a stress free relaxed way to exercise, then yoga is the right thing for you,” Markland said.
Markland said her goals are to introduce yoga to the students, faculty and staff. She also wants to build interest in this course.
“In my yoga class, there is something for everyone,” Markland said. “I mainly focus on the more physical side of things.”
Markland said that no previous yoga experience is necessary to attend the classes.
A wide variety of people take her yoga course. She said that some of her regular attendees are cheerleaders, dancers, athletes and weight lifters.
Quinn Henock, a physical therapy graduate student from UIndy, is a participant in the yoga class.
“I love yoga,” Hencock said. “Mobility is the goal, and I am most definitely coming back.”
Although the class already has begun, interested students, faculty and staff can still join the class by contacting Markland via email: amanda@amandamarklandyoga.com or by telephone-317-691-8915.
