Despite the rainy and blustery weather Skidmore has been facing this week, there is an oasis to be found with skidMORE MINDFULness. Wilson Chapel, right behind Tisch, is a calm space where students can take a break from the stresses that haunt the campus. Kim Beekman, Skidmore’s Coordinator of Spiritual Programs, runs this program, and also teaches some of the courses. There are student-lead classes as well, with students who have been certified to teach Yoga, and are prepared with their own routines and perfect playlists that create that relaxing atmosphere.
“a calm space right where students can take a break from the stresses that haunt the campus”
On Wednesday, Daphne Feller (’17) instructed the class to let go of anything that we might be thinking of that had happened before, or what was to come after the class, so that we might be present and focus on how the air felt as we inhaled and exhaled. Although students are constantly balancing all of their schoolwork, social obligations, as well as their mental and physical health, the only balancing that this class focused on was warrior and downward dog. Daphne constantly had us in positions that opened out hearts, and released any tensions that had been adding stress, and get fresh air into our lungs.
For those tests and stresses that always come too soon and in plenty, these courses range from an hour to an hour and a half, and off students reprieves from the storms outside. Yoga and meditation classes are offered multiple times throughout the week, and the schedules are available at the Chapel. When you go from week to week, class to class, essay to essay, test to test, and never stop for air, Wilson Chapel is right on campus and is a great place to stop and breathe, and do some killer yoga.