In a yoga class, downward-facing dog, swan and cobra are not animals.
These commands are different positions practiced in a yoga class.
Yoga is becoming an increasingly popular way of exercising among the students at UF. When positions are done incorrectly, it can lead to students getting injured. Stacy Tasman, a public relations sophomore at UF, takes yoga class two days a week for an hour each day. Our instructor teaches us how we can strengthen our muscles through yoga to prevent injuries, Tasman said. "I have never gotten seriously injured, but with certain positions, I feel more pain," she said. "My instructor tells me not to do those positions." Sometimes her muscles are sore because they are so stretched out. A few of Tasman's classmates have experienced minor injuries because of doing an incorrect position. "Since it is a small class, some people strain themselves to keep up with others," Tasman said. "They don't want to feel embarrassment." Alexandra Tanner, an anthropology sophomore at UF, tries to go to yoga class at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center twice a week. "I am still improving on many things, and still a beginner in most aspects," Tanner said. Tanner enjoys the feeling of rejuvenation she gets after yoga class. "I feel invigorated after because it is relaxing, but at the same time, gives me energy for the rest of the day," Tanner said. Tanner has never gotten a serious injury from yoga, but sometimes experiences soreness in her back and muscles. After stretching out my muscles, the soreness works itself out, Tanner said. Priel Schmalbach, power yoga fitness instructor at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center, has been practicing yoga for six years. Schmalbach has never known anyone to incur an injury in yoga that required them to stop practicing it. Schmalbach finds yoga to be therapeutic on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels. "Physically, yoga will relax tension from your muscles and lubricate your joints so they move freely," Schmalbach said. "When your body is loose, you feel free." Mentally, the breathing patterns help to stabilize your nervous system and make you calmer. Practicing yoga for an extended amount of time will also affect you on the spiritual level. Schmalbach offers different variations of each position to accommodate different types of people. "A big cause of injuries I see is caused by competitiveness," he said. "Listen to your body. If it says stop, stop. Find your comfortable place." | 
