This morning I had the honor of leading University of Tulsa student-athletes in a yoga practice over Zoom. Our class was part of their American Athletic Conference Pow6rful Minds programming, an initiative hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to strengthen mental health among college students.
Throughout the week, awareness is raised with the hashtags #POW6RFULMINDS and #EndTheStigma on motivational quotes, impactful statistics, and engaging calls to action.
DID YOU KNOW?
12 Schools, 1 Mission
Each school in the American Athletic Conference has a full schedule of events throughout the school year (and this week in particular) that promote the initiative and educate their campus on improving mental health.
Here at TU, my yoga class was just one of many activities the student-athletes enjoyed this week…
Chitta Vritti Nirodha
The actual definition of “yoga” is “calming the fluctuations of the mind,” and what a perfect theme for a class associated with powerful minds.
The class has a large focus on 3-part breathing which gives us a tool to calm our mind, our heart, and our spirit when the world feels too out of control. We use asana (physical movement) with our breath to release tension and create space in the body which frees the mind.
Our goal is to create a sense of being at one with everything and everyone around us. When we achieve that unity, we find balance and peace.
Before I share the class with you, I have a brief disclaimer: my microphone was not 100% on board and cooperative today. Throughout the class, you will hear it cut out here and there, and once it completely derails, but only for a few seconds. As with everything in 2020, when one hits a glitch, one must trudge through the muck. And that is exactly what we did and continued working our way through that hiccup. Thank you for being patient with me in that moment!
I also want to give you the Spotify playlist I use with the class in case you’d like to have music playing as you practice: YWMM Powerful Minds 2020
So, here is the full class.
It’s 40 minutes long and a great way to begin, end, or fill your day:
I would be remiss if I didn’t use this conversation about powerful minds and mental health to also say that no moment, no fear, no loss, no pain is insurmountable.
We all – me included! – have found ourselves in low spots, dark days, and struggles with self-worth, but we are never alone.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
There are always options. There is always hope. There is always help.
Call a friend. Call a stranger if they are easier to talk with. Just call.
You are dear to me!
With love and hugs,
Ashli
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