Yoga Sessions at Miami Law Focus on Relieving Tension and Stress

As yoga becomes integral to the health and well-being of people across the country, more and more law schools are offering yoga to their students. While these on-campus offerings are valuable to those with an interest in yoga, some students who are not personally acquainted with the ancient practice may not feel they have enough time for full-length sessions, which typically last 60 or 90 minutes.

By UM News 09-17-2012

To address that, Miami Law has expanded its yoga offering with a new program called the "Short Stretch," a light, 10-minute yoga practice that does not require a change of clothes, a mat, or strenuous poses. Begun at the beginning of this fall term, students, staff members and faculty gather each Tuesday and Thursday at the rear of the Alma Jennings Foundation Student Lounge, where they are led in a series of poses and gentle stretches that are designed to rejuvenate and recharge.

The program is being guided by second-year student Christina Sava, a certified yoga instructor and president of a student organization called the Insightful Mind Initiative. For the past year, Sava has been holding a free weekly class called "Yoga on the Green," open to all University of Miami students. Those sessions take place outside the Richter Library on Thursdays at 5 p.m.

"Christina is a terrific instructor and the 'Short Stretch' is on the cutting-edge, as a creative means to introduce the Miami Law community to yoga in an accessible format that serves as an end itself and invites deeper engagement," said Professor Scott L. Rogers, Director of Miami Law's Mindfulness in Law program, which was developed in collaboration with Sava and Dean of Students Janet Stearns.

Later in the semester, Mindfulness in Law will be offering "Yoga at your Desk," another 10-minute session designed to help staff members and students address the tension and stress that can build in hands, shoulders and posture in general.

A complete list of mindfulness and wellness-related offerings can be found at http://www.miamimindfulness.org/.