sxc.huThe Washington University Yoga Club will begin meeting this semester, open to students interested in learning and understanding yoga, as well as yoga philosophy and meditation.
Jerome Bauer, a professor in the University’s religious studies department, will head the club. In previous years, a Yoga Club existed on campus, but this semester marks the beginning of a new group that will expose students to meditation, philosophy and their cultural aspects. In part, the club will educate students about yoga, demystifying perceptions of the activity.
“Yoga is one of those words everyone hears, but it’s used loosely,” said Bauer. “It’s secularized. It’s not just exercise – it includes restraint and cultivation of good habits; many ignore these first steps. Yoga means disciplined activity. We want to encourage a healthy lifestyle of establishing balance in life.”
Meditation is one of Yoga Club’s primary activities, but other subjects, including yoga philosophy, Zen, Qi Gong and Ayurveda, will receive attention. The Club’s emphasis, however, will depend on where the students’ interests lie.
“Already we have several levels of yoga training,” said Bauer. “Right now, it’s sort of informal and [students] are learning from each other. As far as meditation goes, we have people experienced with teaching meditation. We are interested in Zen too, and we have people with East Asian interests.”
Although yoga has roots in Eastern culture, Yoga Club will remain accessible to any students curious and willing to learn about the practice. College students with tense lives may in fact find practicing yoga to be applicable to relieving everyday stress.
“Yoga is very practical,” said Bauer. “It’s a system designed to restore and maintain balance in our lives and with other people. It’s very practical as a way of relieving stress.it’s about balance, and it’s good for college students and their lives.”
Although a spiritual dimension to yoga exists, the Yoga Club will stay neutral on religious issues, working in that regard only to make other students aware of alternative and healthy beliefs.
“This is mainly academic. it’s important you have a guru that’s right and good,” said Bauer. “Physical yoga can lead to injury if one’s not prepared.”
While some Christian and Jewish practitioners of yoga see little problem with the difference of belief, for others there is a controversy. “Many of my students are Jewish.the more secular-minded don’t see an issue,” said Bauer. “I’m not promoting any belief system. [Instead], ask the rabbi; ask the priest. But classical yoga is theistic.”
Bauer remains optimistic about the future of the Yoga Club. “I think it will fare quite well,” said Bauer. “I think it’s coming together and we’ll do quite well.”
This year and in the future, the Yoga Club will also be working with the University Co-op. Additional information about Yoga Club can be found at washuyoga.com.