This week the new SUU T-Fit program began yoga classes and opened regularly-scheduled aerobics classes to faculty and staff. "The health and wellness of the faculty and staff is important to the administrators," said Julie Taylor, an SUU T-Fit committee member and assistant professor of physical education. "Most other universities about this size have similar programs, and it's about time SUU caught up." The aerobics classes take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. in room 303 of the Sorenson P.E. Building. Currently, the only class offered specifically for faculty and staff is a yoga class, which takes place Monday evenings in the P.E. Building, room 303, at 5 p.m. Rachel Smetanka, assistant professor of biology, teaches the classes. "Yoga is one of my passions, and one of the few classes that I would be qualified to teach," Smetanka said. "Also, the stress relief and therapeutic benefits of yoga are numerous, and many of us on campus have pretty stressful and busy jobs. It is a great place to unwind, challenge ourselves, and reap huge benefits alongside others interested in doing the same." Associate professor of secondary education Deborah Hill said it is important for faculty to be fit, and to set good examples for students. "Our responsibility to students is to prepare them for the future - and that includes being a role model in all ways," she said. "If you saw your professor take the 'warrior pose' prior to class, I wonder what you'd think." Hill also said that she appreciates having the classes available for faculty. "It is great to have yoga classes back and available here at SUU," she said. "Yoga gives a sense of calm and peace in our hectic lives. It can heal the body and mind. With the lives most of us live, we need some time to focus on the 'self' and remind ourselves of who we are."
Southern Utah University suunews.com > News
T-Fit program offers yoga
New fitness classes provided to faculty, staff
Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Updated: Sunday, November 22, 2009
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SUU faculty and staff attend a yoga class at the Sorenson P.E. Building in room 303. The class is taught by SUU faculty members and is open to anyone interested in yoga.
SUU faculty and staff attend a yoga class at the Sorenson P.E. Building in room 303. The class is taught by SUU faculty members and is open to anyone interested in yoga.
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