Yoga comes to Canisius with new hope

By: Cassandra Ercoli, Kevin Fisher, and Matti Mendez, Contributors

With the fall semester now in full swing and midterm exams right around the corner, Dr. Erin Robinson, a sociology professor, is bringing yoga back to campus with the hopes of offering students time to take care of themselves.

For Dr. Robinson, yoga is more than the movement – it is a moment for students to slow down and reconnect with themselves. Her yoga classes offer a break from the rush of classes, midterms and exams. “Given today’s world of modern society, we are so focused on the next thing, we are very rarely in the now,” said Dr. Robinson.

Accessibility and openness are key parts of her teaching philosophy, so whether you're a level one yoga practitioner or as advanced as Dr. Robinson, students can still receive the benefits of yoga. She encourages students to carry the skills they learn in yoga beyond the mat. Romani Hutchinson, a junior majoring in finance, integrates yoga into his life in a more personal sense. "I manage stress by going on walks, watching yoga videos and listening to music,” said Hutchinson. He didn’t initially know about the yoga classes on campus but is motivated to join to create new experiences on campus while trying an in-person structured class for the first time. 

Dr. Robinson says she is excited about the interest in yoga and that she can share spaces with students and give them the opportunity to take time for themselves. Not only is there already interest in her courses from current students, but students who one day hope to be a Golden Griffin have also expressed their curiosity as well. Paige Apps, who is a junior and campus tour guide for the university, stated that when touring the Palisano fitness center, “students have actually asked if we offer yoga or fitness classes, to which I[‘ve had] to reply no.” Now, she can say yes!

Not only are there mental advantages, but physical ones as well. Yoga improves focus, flexibility and helps slow your breathing. This can bring students to a sense of calm during the semester. Each class also allows for modifications as needed per student. “What I really worry about in the [younger] students’ generation is how often you just push through, and don’t even recognize you are doing your body harm,” said Dr. Robinson. “I always invite students to take what we’re learning and apply that to outside of the classroom,” she added. Through these mindful moments, students gain confidence, clarity and calmness.

Dr. Robinson is hopeful that students will do something for themselves and step outside of their comfort zone: “The yoga class that I offer here is really welcoming for just sitting cross-legged and taking that time to be there. Sometimes stepping outside of our comfort zone is what gives us the most comfort.” When pursuing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Robinson was initially interested in anatomy and biology, but shifted her focus to healing the body. Interested in the mindfulness, community and challenge that yoga offers, Dr. Robinson began a career in yoga instruction, specializing in children’s yoga while continuing to be a college professor. “I woke up one day and said ‘wait, I can do both?’” said Dr. Robinson. She added, “because I am a sociologist, I wanted to look at how to make yoga more open and accessible to populations that may not have traditional access to yoga classes.” Dr. Robinson offers yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. in the new studio in Upper Palisano. Classes are free for Canisius students and are open to students of all levels. For more information, students can contact Dr. Robinson by email at robinso5@canisius.edu or by phone at (716) 888-2748.