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Yoga Yodas create calm and improve mental fitness at UFS

20 August 2019 | Story Valentino | Photo Pexels

Are you always anxious and exhausted? Consider for a moment what you can do to break your hectic routine. Maybe stay in bed and binge-watch a series? Or what about joining a yoga class? Let us imagine for a moment that you have opted for the latter. What could possibly be the results of such a choice?

According to Psychology Today, there is a growing body of research to back up yoga’s mental health benefits. “Yoga increases body awareness, relieves stress, reduces muscle tension, strain and inflammation, sharpens attention and concentration, and calms and centres the nervous system.”

Since the beginning of the year, a group of students has been practising yoga on the lawns of the Bloemfontein Campus at the University of the Free State (UFS). At first the group comprised students from the Office for International Affairs’ Umoja Buddy Programme, but it has since expanded to include the general student population.

Strength and stamina from body to mind
They call themselves “"Yoga Yodas”. Their instructor, Dominique de Kock, says she has witnessed an increased level of calmness and relaxation among the group, which has had a positive effect on their academic performance and mental wellbeing.

Given the anxiety academics can create among some students, yoga is a proven method of achieving a state of positive mindfulness. “Yoga is great for when you are stressed out. Give yourself an hour to just be at peace, relax your mind and practise meditation which is not spiritually tied to any religion,” says De Kock.

Mental health and self-care go hand in hand. Find out more on yoga's positive benefits on mental health and wellbeing, by watching the video below:

News Archive

The best black and white learners must come and study here

2009-09-17

At the meeting, arranged by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, were from the left: Mr Tshdiso Makoelle, Clocolan High School; Mr Braam van Wyk, St Michael's School in Bloemfontein; Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS); Mr Izak Coetzee, Dr Blok Secondary School in Bloemfontein and Mr Okkie Botha, Witteberg High School in Bethlehem.
Photo: Stephen Collett

“I want to make this university one of the best universities in the country and in the world. For this I will need the support of principals and teachers.” These were the words of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS) during a recent meeting with school principals held on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein, which was arranged by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

“I want the best black and white learners to come and study here and therefore I am going to visit schools in the region to find out how we can attract the best learners,” he said.
The most important influence on learners is their teachers and principal. “This why I need the support of teachers and principals to guide their learners to come and study here,” said Prof. Jansen.

Prof. Jansen said that it was of no use to work with Grade 11 and 12 learners only as it was mostly too late to change their minds. He wants to work with Grade 10 learners and make them excited about university life so that they will know what the UFS can offer them. He will also visit poor and rural schools and tell them about the UFS.

“When a Kovsie graduate walks down the street something must distinguish him/her from other graduates. Our graduates must be able to work anywhere in the world,” he said.

“Students must have the ability to live with other people and to be comfortable around people who look and speak differently than them. I want our students to be multi-lingual and to be comfortable around other students and people in terms of religion, race, language, etc. Students who do not have this added value will not be successful in the market,” he said.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
16 September 2009

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