By Spencer Weddle
SE has begun to put an effort on the health of its students. SE is offering a number health programs. There is the Commit to Fit competition that is returning this semester, various exercise classes and healthier options in the cafeteria.
Living healthier has a number of benefits besides just being in shape.
Healthy eating and exercise provides more energy, helps people think clearer and helps reduce stress-things that students have to deal with on a daily basis.
There are walking groups and free yoga and pilates being offered classes on campus taught by Dr. Lisa Coleman.
Dr. Coleman is a certified pilates instructor from North Texas Yoga.
Coleman was approached by April Lehr to put on a class that did both yoga and pilates it just built from there.
While pilates is similar to yoga, it differs in that it can be more strengthening and core while yoga focuses a little more on flexibility.
Coleman explains that some of the benefits of yoga are it helps reduce stress and anxiety, mental rejuvenation, and some injury rehab.
“My ankle has been basically rehabbed by yoga”, said Dr. Coleman, who had her ankle wrapped for almost two years prior to starting yoga.
Coleman said the meditation and the stress reducing of yoga is its greatest benefit. “You do it almost the whole time you’re practicing. You’re in a zone.”, explains Dr. Coleman on the calm state of mind in yoga.
Coleman says it’s amazing that SE is offering these classes for free. Yoga and pilates classes at the cheapest can range from $12-$15 a class.
To sign up for these classes all a student has to do is go to one and sign in. Yoga classes are on Mondays at 12-12:45 pm and pilates are Wednesdays at 12-12:45 in UC 215.
Also something else that is being offered to students is a healthier eating option in the cafeteria. All natural and GMO free smoothies are now being offered.
Marketing specialist Olivia Franceskini explains the cafeteria wanted to help with the health initiative so she got in contact with someone to bring these smoothies here.
These smoothies range from snacks to meal replacements and students can put energy shots and fat burners in them. Smoothies start at $3.75 and nutritional are located at the register.
All these factors are going into SE working for an excellent rating from the Oklahoma Turning Point Council.
Also April Lehring says that SE is working on building a track on campus and mile markers.