17 June 2019
We’re a little more than halfway done with our study abroad experience, so you can imagine our bodies are a little drained from the miles of walking, exploration, and activities. That’s why it was a perfect day to do yin yoga to become in a complete relaxed mental and physical state.
Yin yoga is not like typical yoga. In this hour session, the instructor, Katrine, directed us into a meditated mental state while holding yoga positions for longer than the usual. The purpose of this is to let gravity work on our muscles to get deeper and deeper into the stretch to complete relaxation.
It’s safe to say that all of us needed this to allow our bodies to recharge for the remainder of our journey. My favorite pose was the last position, shavasana, where we lay in the supine position with a cylindrical cushion to stabilize our knees. Some of us fell asleep, others emptied their mind to have no thoughts or worries for just a few moments.
This practice was extremely useful and valuable. Afterwards, a lot of us discussed the importance of giving our body and mind a break from working all day and every day. We are hoping to find a similar practice back in the states to use during stressful times, especially finals. As public health students, it is our role to learn how to take care of our physical and mental health to be able to help others.
- Brooke Nelson
Public Health Abroad! 