Yoga Instructor Leads Outdoor Yoga For Dorm Students

A yoga instructor led an evening yoga session for North Idaho College’s residence hall students in front of the Student Wellness and Recreation Center last Thursday evening. 

Residence hall students take in a moment of silence and meditation during the yoga session. Harbour led the students through multiple phases of yoga.

In one of the first residence hall events this year, Resident Assistant Jestine Lackner invited Jen Harbour to help lead the evening yoga session on the grassy patch between the SWRC and the residence hall.

“I ultimately chose to do this program because of all the benefits yoga can bring,” Lackner said. “It can help you find a sense of balance and calmness and I think that’s exactly what our students need right now.”

Students social-distanced their mats on the grass to stay 6 feet apart, as well as wore masks. 

Students meditate while staying 6 feet apart with masks on. Even during somewhat strenuous poses, the students kept their masks on.

Crimson Willey, a first-year student at NIC, said she felt she wasn’t pressured because the teacher and the people in the class were encouraging and motivating to be around.

“When people leave, I want them to have a greater appreciation for themselves,” said Harbour.

Students hold a downward dog position. For some of the 16 students who attended, this was their first time participating in yoga.

Harbour has been teaching yoga for over 15 years and is a certified Anusara yoga teacher. This semester she is teaching a yoga class for NIC at the SWRC.

Harbour also teaches classes at the Garden Street School of Yoga in Coeur d’Alene. She has been holding hybrid classes, where classes are taught both in-person and have Zoom meeting options. 

Harbour leads the students into a plank position. Some NIC soccer players who live in the dorms joined in on the session.

A raffle was held at the end of the session for a cork yoga mat, provided by Residence Life staff. Elijah Marquez, a student living in the hall, won the yoga mat. 

“I really enjoyed the event,” said Hannah Warwick, a resident assistant. “Between working multiple jobs and taking 17 credits, it helped me relax and get connected. It was a great destresser.” 

Updated: 9/16/2020