As spring semester rolls around and New Year’s resolutions are in full swing many students are looking toward developing a healthier lifestyle. The AU Recreation and Fitness Center and the AU Wellness Center offer free and helpful programs for students to achieve just that. Check out some of their programs below:
Group Exercise Classes:
The AU Recreation and Fitness Center offers free group exercises during the first week of every semester. This semester, the free classes will run from January 17th through the 22nd.
After the first week, AU Recreation and Fitness provides a free ‘happy hour workout’ class every Friday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you’re looking to jump in on a class, single classes are offered for $9, while the unlimited semester pass is $75. The classes come in a variety of choices like yoga, barre, cycle, zumba and tabata. For more information on group classes and passes, check out AU Recreation and Fitness’s page here!
Triathlon Challenge:
This semester, AU Recreation and Fitness will be offering a $15 Triathlon Challenge throughout the month of February. Kathryn Lundberg, the Fitness Coordinator at AU Recreation and Fitness, said students can register in person at the Cassel gym and participation includes a t-shirt. The challenge will require participants swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles and running 26.2 miles throughout the entire month of February. This program will allow students to take fitness into their own hands and strive toward a goal.
Women on Weights:
Women on Weights will run throughout February. The free program will be held in three sessions, Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.. In each session, students will be taught different skills and are expected to attend all three sessions. The program’s goal is to expose women to the weight floor and teach them how to the master resistance exercises and become more comfortable lifting . To sign up, please visit the Cassell gym.
Wellness on Demand:
Wellness on Demand is a request-based program that brings fitness to you. In this program, AU Wellness Ambassadors can be requested to teach fitness topics to a class, group or organization. Wellness Ambassadors will give information on basic exercise, physical activity, sleep/stress and nutrition. To request a workshop for your group, please register here.
Mindful Eagles:
This wellness program is hosted by the Kay Spiritual Center. It is a weekly program that will start Jan. 24 and meets Tuesdays at 3 p.m. in the Kay Chapel for an hour. The program is taught by members of the Office of Campus Life and is free to undergraduate and graduate students.
These weekly sessions help students find ways to lower stress, practice meditation and breathing, learn about self reflection, find ways to cope and develop resilience skills. Students will practice everything from basic yoga, gentle movement and walking meditation, to simple sound and sight meditation. This program is perfect for students who carry a heavy workload, especially during midterms and finals week, to find a way to escape from the pressures of academic life. No need to register, drops ins are welcome!
Insight meditation:
This wellness class is led by monk Bhante Katugastota Uparatana, one of the three buddhist chaplains at the Kay Spiritual Center,. The meditation class is free and offered to all students on campus. The class will teach basic meditation, breathing skills and how to handle stress and anxiety. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Kay Chapel. No need to register, drop ins are welcome!
Interfaith Chapel Service:
The interfaith Chapel Service focuses on spiritual wellness. The service meets the first Wednesday of every month, however for January an MLK service will be held Jan. 18. This program provides a safe environment for reflection, prayer and healing. It is open to all students on campus.
The AU community gives students a chance to develop their fitness and wellness skills, along with their academic skills. Stop by at one of these classes or programs this semester to start living a healthier, well-balanced lifestyle.
