Fitness during a pandemic: give yoga a try
By Britta Miller
October 24, 2020
As norms are changing due to COVID-19, the way we work out has also changed. Many in- person classes have moved online, and new modifications have been made to better suit a home environment.
While home fitness videos have always been popular, the pandemic has created a huge surge in people using workout videos. There are videos for whatever interests you have—dance, yoga, barre, booty workouts, you name it!
Many miss the group aspect of fitness classes, but Zoom has also changed the way people view fitness. While staying in separate spaces, a group of friends can do a fitness video together by sharing one screen.
While home fitness videos have always been popular, the pandemic has created a huge surge in people using workout videos. There are videos for whatever interests you have—dance, yoga, barre, booty workouts, you name it!
Many miss the group aspect of fitness classes, but Zoom has also changed the way people view fitness. While staying in separate spaces, a group of friends can do a fitness video together by sharing one screen.
Image Credit: Britta Miller for The Campus Trainer
Yoga is always a great exercise to start with because it relaxes the body and allows for self -reflection.
Connie Bowman, a registered yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance, has been teaching for over 5 years and practicing for over 30. She says that “yoga is healing for the mind, body and spirit” and that with breath and body movement, we “increase circulation, calm the mind and the nervous system.”
This week, some friends and I watched a yoga video by Yoga With Adriene that focused on releasing tension.
Sophomore kinesiology major Kaitlyn Hannigan said she “enjoyed doing the yoga workout online because it was more encouraging to participate in the group setting.”
Since many in-person workouts have been cancelled, it can be hard to find the motivation to attend these online sessions, but doing it with a group makes it much better, Hannigan said.
Personally, I have found it harder to find motivation when my fitness classes aren’t in person. However, having a group to do it with definitely helps us motivate each other. I really struggle with knowing when to take a break from work, so making a plan to meet with a group helps me clear my mind from whatever I’m working on.
Bowman also recognizes that while Zoom meetings are very different from in person, that it allows us a chance to try new teachers and still meet with friends.
“It can be a daily opportunity to destress, to center, and remind ourselves of our true nature, which is, ultimately, love,” Bowman said.
Freshman Zoe Lebovic, undecided, said that while she misses in person classes, working out online allows you to “have your own space and be able to feel more comfortable. People often feel gym shy or don’t like to work out around others and Zoom allows everyone to do their own thing.”
Connie Bowman, a registered yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance, has been teaching for over 5 years and practicing for over 30. She says that “yoga is healing for the mind, body and spirit” and that with breath and body movement, we “increase circulation, calm the mind and the nervous system.”
This week, some friends and I watched a yoga video by Yoga With Adriene that focused on releasing tension.
Sophomore kinesiology major Kaitlyn Hannigan said she “enjoyed doing the yoga workout online because it was more encouraging to participate in the group setting.”
Since many in-person workouts have been cancelled, it can be hard to find the motivation to attend these online sessions, but doing it with a group makes it much better, Hannigan said.
Personally, I have found it harder to find motivation when my fitness classes aren’t in person. However, having a group to do it with definitely helps us motivate each other. I really struggle with knowing when to take a break from work, so making a plan to meet with a group helps me clear my mind from whatever I’m working on.
Bowman also recognizes that while Zoom meetings are very different from in person, that it allows us a chance to try new teachers and still meet with friends.
“It can be a daily opportunity to destress, to center, and remind ourselves of our true nature, which is, ultimately, love,” Bowman said.
Freshman Zoe Lebovic, undecided, said that while she misses in person classes, working out online allows you to “have your own space and be able to feel more comfortable. People often feel gym shy or don’t like to work out around others and Zoom allows everyone to do their own thing.”
Image Credit: Britta Miller for The Campus Trainer
The yoga itself was also very helpful. I was able to unwind and be with friends while doing something for myself. Many students are busy, especially with midterm season upon us, but even a short 30 minute video, like this one, is helpful and doesn't cut into your schedule.
Lebovic also said she was happy to destress with yoga since she has been feeling very overwhelmed recently with work.
According to the CDC, managing stress and coping with it during the pandemic is essential. Connecting with others and taking care of our body is so important.
Taking deep breaths, stretching, and meditating are ways the CDC suggests for coping with stress, all of which are practices used in yoga.
Skip the gym and jump on YouTube! Find a workout video that interests you and get to it. Stay active, Terps!
Lebovic also said she was happy to destress with yoga since she has been feeling very overwhelmed recently with work.
According to the CDC, managing stress and coping with it during the pandemic is essential. Connecting with others and taking care of our body is so important.
Taking deep breaths, stretching, and meditating are ways the CDC suggests for coping with stress, all of which are practices used in yoga.
Skip the gym and jump on YouTube! Find a workout video that interests you and get to it. Stay active, Terps!
