Yoga is perhaps the hardest class to get into at Gannon University.
This is because of the high demand and small class sizes.
The class is offered once per week with as many as 20 students per class.
Brittany Myers, a senior social work major is scheduled to take an Intro to Yoga class during the Spring 2012 semester. “I’m eager to start,” she said. “I’ve heard that it’s a great chance to really gather your thoughts while working out, in a sense.”
She said the university offers a couple of yoga classes per semester that are two-hour sessions.
“I think it will be a great opportunity to take a break from class papers and tests yet still be getting credit,” she said.
Seth began practicing yoga in 1993 and completed her 200-hour Integral Yoga teacher training in 2004. Now she is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She also teaches multi-level classes for UPMC Hamot Health Connections and is the facilitator of the Erie Yoga Teachers Network, which is dedicated to the support and encouragement of yoga instructors in the Erie area.
“Each yoga class I teach, every training or workshop I attend, and every yoga book I read teaches me more about myself and how to become a better person,” she said.
She said she is inspired by all of the instructors she has had in the past, as well as her fellow Erie yoga teachers, friends and her students, who continue to return time after time.
“I am so grateful to be able to spread the joy and benefits of yoga,” Seth said.
She said she really enjoys teaching yoga at Gannon.
She said she began teaching at Gannon in August 2008 and currently teaches three two-credit classes, each class with 20 students.
“I especially love teaching at Gannon because I know how much the students need this type of program,” she said.
She said along with the many physical benefits yoga offers – such as strength, flexibility and balance – it also teaches stress management techniques, patience, confidence, acceptance and contentment.
“We become stronger physically, emotionally and spiritually when we practice yoga – something we all need; children, teens and adults, every age, every body.”
Seth enjoys teaching yoga at other locations, as well.
“I really enjoy the variety of ages and abilities of the students I teach,” she said. “Yoga truly is for every body and can be modified and adapted for every age.”
You don’t need to be nervous about taking Introduction to Yoga at Gannon. For the most part, everyone in the class is starting out at the same level.
Describing her very first class, Seth said, “I was nervous about taking the class because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it. I never did gymnastics or took dance classes and I didn’t think I was strong enough or fit enough to do yoga. The wonderful instructor that I had taught me that I could.”
Casey Rogers, a senior pre-med major, is currently taking the Introduction to Yoga class at Gannon and said it’s relaxing.
“It helps take the stress away from class and work,” he said, “and it’s at a time during the week when you can forget about anything that’s troubling you.”
Rogers said he appreciates what Seth teaches in the class.
“Ms. Seth obviously has a great background in yoga,” he said, “and does an excellent job informing the students how to take advantage of and utilize the full yoga experience.”
