Salem Hartley

It is crunch-time at Griffith University.

Stress levels are high!

What day is it? Is the assignment due at 4pm or 11:59pm? How do I reference?

Let’s take a deep breath in and release at least some of that tension.

Yeah that was NOT enough…

Good thing the GU Yoga Lifestyle club hosts weekly yoga and meditation classes Mondays at N11 – Student Lounge (next to Sammy G’s).

The Yoga Lifestyle Club is turning 10 this month. To celebrate, they are holding a dinner after the yoga session (23^rd September). Did I mention it was free?

I talked with Kirby, the yoga instructor about the club and how yoga has helped her, and club members.

“The physical aspect of yoga, I didn’t have an appreciation for it at the time because my body was young, I didn’t feel any pain in my body, I could do anything. But as I get older, when I start working, sitting all day, that’s the time when I had the appreciation for the yoga and physical aspect of yoga will really help someone” – Kirby

Kirby was a previous treasurer of the club, her husband being a previous president, and her friend was the founder of the club 10 years ago.

Apart from the weekly sessions, they hold occasional outings such as the Mt Tambourine hike in July. The event opened Griffith students to connect with each other outside of assessment and classes.

The club set the start time of the hike later in the day for the students that love a sleep in AND provided carpooling.

This connection to nature, “touching grass” and connecting with people is essential to reset during the stressful period to clear our minds and feel refreshed when we go back into word mode.

Some students told us how the club had enhanced their experience at Griffith.

“As a PhD student I tend to do a lot of sitting at a desk. I imagined I could end up as a weird little ball of human with tyrannosaurus rex arms. Then I came across the Griffith Lifestyle Yoga Club… The weekly experience of yoga class calms my mind, and I’ve learnt to breathe more deeply.” – JT

“Joining the Griffith Yoga Club was one of the best decisions I made for my mental and physical health and well-being as a PhD student. Yoga has enhanced my flexibility, strength, and balance, contributing to better physical health. In addition to physical health, Yoga has been effective for me in reducing stress and promoting relaxation when I feel overwhelmed with my research work. Beyond these benefits, I have been fortunate to expand my network with our talented Yoga teacher, Kirby and some wonderful Yogis who were very kind and lovely to share each Monday evening with” – Sammanie

“Since I started doing yoga at Griffith, I have found it incredibly engaging. Natalie – and now Kirby – and her team arrange the yoga sessions exceptionally well. As a student, I personally believe that yoga is one of the best therapies to release academic pressure.” – Praveeni

Thankyou Kirby and The GU Yoga Lifestyle Club for providing images and interviews.