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Tuesday, 19 February 2008 |
Student spreads yoga’s positive influence on campus
How often do you meet a woman who instructs nine work-out classes a week who isn’t ashamed to eat bar food?
Senior Nutrition major Elecia M. Gider is one such enigma who is startlingly involved in UREC, passionate about yoga, and can still go out a have a good time in Boone.
“I’m not going to be the yoga instructor who doesn’t ever drink,” said Grider, “You gotta have fun.”
Every week, she teaches yoga, power yoga, pilates, yogalates, and spin, but her favorite of all of these
is her beginner’s yoga class. She said that she tries hard to give people a good first experience with
the practice.
“You can either give people a good impression or a bad impression. It’s about moving people foreword,
and not about doing it perfectly.” Grider said, “I would tell anyone to
come try it out, there’s a lot more going on than just stretching,”
Grider became passionate about health club-style exercises because she claims that she is not
athletic. She said that though she never quite fit into team sports, being in the gym fits everyone.
“I like to take care of my body,” Grider said, “I like it to be strong and resilient.”
Grider is currently involved in The Neighborhood Yoga’s Teacher Training, a rigorous 220-Hour Yoga
Alliance Certification Program which will eventually result in an official instructor license.
She admitted that because of her health club exercise background, she was more resistant to
embracing the world of yoga than any of her peers in the program.
She’s been observing the other students transform their lives and personalities throughout the program
since it started in September.
She was hesitant to open her mind because of her personality, background, and due to the intensity of
the training which includes chanting and fasting. She has, however, experienced a change of heart.
“Yoga means to unite,” said Grider, “Uniting the heart, body and mind leads to living a positive
lifestyle.”
She said that, among other things, the lifestyle can positively influence:
• Breath- leads to stress relief
• Muscle tone- from strengthening and flexing muscles
• Balance- affecting precision, especially for athletes
• Sleep- some say it leads to deeper and more restful sleep
• Community- people come to yoga classes and become friends
Interestingly, she also mentioned that yoga can improve sex life and sexual performance. She cited
that because yoga increases strength, flexibility, and confidence in one’s body, people will be happier
to show off their naked body.
On a similar note, UREC will be hosting two partner yoga sessions on Valentines day this week. The
special classes will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. and students can come with or without
a partner, and should try to come a little early to grab a spot.
Students and staff members interested in trying out the practice of yoga should come to Grider’s
beginner’s class on Friday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Her and her assistant will come around and
help you with your positioning and maybe even give you a brief acupressure treatment, if you’re lucky.
For those seeking exercise and nutrition advise, Grider can be found in Café Portifino in the evenings
where she will be playing pool and eating bread and creamy pasta.
If you know a student who should be featured in Mountaineer Spotlight, please send your
recommendations to
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