The Nevada Sagebrush

Participants take part in the last day of the University of Nevada, Reno Art of Living Club’s weekend-long yoga course. Casey Durkin/Nevada Sagebrush.

One at a time, the participants began to remove their shoes and grab a mat.  Name tags ensured some degree of familiarity, but some of them acted as though they had known each other for years.  Then they laid out their mats and prepared for three hours of breathing exercises.

The University of Nevada, Reno chapter of the Art of Living began a course on Thursday with the aim to reduce stress through meditation and advanced breathing techniques.

The Art of Living Foundation is a U.N.-recognized nonprofit organization that does work all around the world to reduce stress and violence in communities through teachings that stem from yoga.

“(The club has) been going on for eight years in Reno,” Alex Miller, a club member and course participant, said. “I’ve been doing it for a year and a half.  It’s a relatively small thing; we have about 300 members.”

Frances Arnold, a 2008 University of Nevada, Reno graduate and former president of the club, co-leads the course.  She has been involved with the Art of Living in some capacity or another for 13 years.

“It is a life-changing experience; it gives you the tools to deal with the negativity in your mind.”  The course, however, isn’t just for the mind.  “Taking care of your body and connecting with others can do good things for your life,” she added.  “Our course really builds a solid, caring community of really diverse people.  They work to serve and uplift the community.”

The first phase ran from 6 to about 10 p.m. in the conference room of the Harry Reid Engineering Laboratory.  Most of the about 40 participants were students; some were club members, others weren’t.  There were first-timers and veterans.

The introduction phase took a great deal of time, as everyone introduced themselves, formed groups and began trust exercises such as closing one’s eyes and falling backwards while their partners caught them.

The rest of the session consisted of breathing exercises to release tension, the most prominent technique being “pranayama,” which originates from the East.

This Art of Living course, however, is a big commitment.  At the session’s conclusion, Arnold laid down the rules for the four days: no caffeine, alcohol, smoking, drug use or meat.Though these commitments are daunting, Arnold is optimistic about this group following the course.

“I think it went well,” she said. “There are a lot of positive people in this room.”

Among the first timers was student Jeanette McGinley, who received a scholarship to take the course.

“It was really insightful and really inspirational,” she said. “Every student could benefit because everyone has daily stresses. I want to learn how to juggle all of life’s challenges and issues.”

Her friend, Amanda Beer, was also excited about the rest of the course but was less than enthusiastic about the no caffeine rule.

“It’s going to be a real challenge,” she said.

Kyle Wise can be reached at news@nevadasagebrush.com.

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts