While many university professors are busy with study groups and student meetings in preparation for final exams, Sandi Tenfelde, PhD, RN, ANP, CYI, has turned to sun salutations and savasanas.
Dr. Tenfelde, who is an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, recently became a certified yoga instructor. She will offer a yoga class for nursing, health sciences management and exercise science students during final exams week. Her goal is to help her students reduce their stress levels, enhance their immune system and improve their emotional wellness, flexibility, strength, balance and posture.
"Yoga can provide college students with many emotional and physical benefits," Dr. Tenfelde said. "Regular yoga practice during finals week also can improve mental clarity and concentration making students more likely to excel under pressure."
Dr. Tenfelde also recognizes the long-term benefits of yoga for her students.
"Part of preparing my students to be good health-care professionals involves educating them on how to take care of themselves," Dr. Tenfelde said. "It is easy to lose sight of self-care when you are concerned with caring for others on a daily basis. I hope to instill in my students the ability to reduce their own stress levels to better care for their patients."
The class will take place at noon on Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Halas Group Fitness Studio in the lower level of the Halas Recreation Center. Post-yoga refreshments will be available for Loyola students in the School of Nursing Student Lounge in the Granada Center, Room 360. Admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
"My hope is that yoga will give students a healthier alternative to the caffeine, sugar and adrenaline that often carry them through finals week," Dr. Tenfelde added.
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