Education Edge » EdD Students Finish Summer Studies with Yoga

 

EdD Students Finish Summer Studies with Yoga

by UM School of Education on July 27, 2019

Left to right: T.J. Walker, Gladys Peters, Joy Shideler, Sarah Sapp, Nicole Lewis, Christina Steube, Natasa Novicevic, Toni Avant and Phillis George.

On Saturday, June 29, SOE Assistant Professor Phillis George and several students in Seminar on the Learner and Learning course (EDCI 703) participated in a yoga session at Southern Star Yoga Center in Oxford to celebrate the end of the course.

“I think a communal yoga class was the perfect opportunity to energize students while also exposing (and in some cases reintroducing) them to a holistic learning and developmental activity,” George said. “The practice of yoga is beneficial to all of us, but it can be especially beneficial to graduate students and faculty who often ignore the need for self-care. Although simplistic, the notion of self-care is powerfully transformative, as it promotes greater academic- and self-efficacy (not to mention productivity).”

George notes the core focus of the course is to introduce and explore learning and developmental theories while also encouraging students to think about critical processes involved in learning something that is different and entirely new in content. “I wanted students to be placed in a novel learning environment and to experience the associated challenges and apprehensions along with the joy and exuberance of mastering and learning something new, particularly as a cohort,” George said. “My hope was that students would walk away with a renewed understanding and enhanced appreciation for the learning labyrinths or complex pathways faced by today’s college students.”

A common thread throughout the conversation with students, who participated in the class was a need for activities such as yoga to reduce stress and promote self-care.

“Sharing an experience of self-care is important,” said EdD cohort member Sarah Sapp. “Yoga fixes most things and scheduled yoga means we make time for it and the camaraderie in an activity [is what] we all needed!  It is something I would like to see offered every semester.”

“I was a first-timer and found it very relaxing,” said EdD cohort member Tommy Walker. “It was a strange idea at first because of my ignorance to the art, but I think it was very thoughtful of Dr. George to offer it. I would encourage others to be open-minded and let’s make it a per semester activity to lower our stress levels.”

By Veronica Crawford