Tracey Ulshafer, the owner of “One Yoga Center” in Hightstown, NJ, serves as one of the instructors at Mercer’s free twice-weekly yoga classes. She teaches a style of yoga known as Hatha. It is one of the main branches of yoga that includes physical practices, such as postures and breathing techniques.
“One of the main benefits is the increase of flexibility and range of motion. Also, at the same time you gain strength and tone. So it’s creating a balance in your muscular system, gaining flexibility where you need it and strength where you need it.” Ulshafer says.
While all forms of yoga help with the overall calming of the mind and strengthening of the body, the health benefits go beyond than what people might imagine.
Ulshafer says, “There have been many many studies on the benefits of yoga…The endocrine glands secrete hormones that we need and each one is different, from the thyroid to the pancreas…We know by twisting and squeezing these organs they are getting massaged.”
The act of squeezing and twisting assists our internal organs, as well, she says, benefitting every system in the body.
Suzette Stoffard, another yoga instructor from “One Yoga Center,” has 20 years of experience and takes her students through steps of self-healing with her techniques.
Stoffard says the benefits of practicing being mentally present in the moment are numerous. This is accomplished through mindful movements, overall breathing, and thought pattern improvement.
Present moment awareness specifically focuses on letting go of the past and the anxiety that the practitioner feels towards the future so that they can enjoy the moment that they are in.
Anjali Patel, a second-year student at Mercer stated, “Taking these yoga classes helped me a lot. Between school and my internship I barely have a moment to myself. Yoga gives me the mental clarity that I need to get through the week.”
According to the instructors, yoga helps to decrease people’s respiration rate so it induces a state of relaxation. The actual systems of the brain are able to switch into a more sympathetic system so that the body is able to relax.
Even professors attend and participate in the free yoga classes.
Shelly Botwinick, a Wellness Professor at Mercer says she brings her students to some of the yoga sessions,
“It is nice to move the body in a nonvigorous way but really get results. You’re holding a pose for even 10 to 15 seconds and your body is working. I think people who have never taken yoga before do not understand how hard the body and mind work together.” Botwinick says.
Helen Tanzini, a Chemistry Professor at Mercer has also been a yoga instructor for 10 years and teaches the Vinyasa, a more active form of yoga than Hatha. Vinyasa connects all movements and breathing in motion.
Tanzini states, “Yoga keeps you present at the time that you are in. Most students get that stress of the next exam and all that, and it’s good to calm down. You learn better when you’re calm.”
No experience is necessary to participate and all equipment needed, such as yoga mats, are provided during the class, though participants can bring their own and are encouraged to dress in comfortable attire.
Yoga classes are held in the PE building on the West Windsor campus, Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. All students and staff are welcome, free of charge.
