OCR Text |
Show Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 Page 5 AggieLife Power of a stretch Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com do yoga," Hayes said. The basic benefits of yoga should be intereststaff writer ing to stressed students. "The first thing people notice after a yoga Most freshman students begin their academ- class is how much better their body feels and ic careers in the same frame of mind: excited, clearer their mind has become," Hayes said nervous and eager to begin a new chapter in and listed other benefits: better sleep, ability their lives. to focus, faster recovery for athletes, helps with One thing most don't count on, however, back pain, reduces anxiety. is the sheer amount of In addition, more stress: bills need to be than a few students agree paid, social obligations with her assessment of "Yoga is a practice that are expected, scholaryoga and say they have can benefit anyone and ship requirements have learned, from personal everyone. I know that to be met and, to top experience, the benefits sounds like a big and it all off, grades need of continual yoga exerto be excellent. Many cise. cocky statement, but I watch in horror as their "Yoga has allowed truly believe it. I am not easy-going lives begin to me to explore both my saying that everyone will be pull away from them mind and my soul," said love it, but it will help from 12 different direcChristian Seiter, parttions. them. " time USU student. "I That's when many would absolutely recom— Haley Hayes, USU yoga turn to an activity that mend yoga to anyone. instructor does just that: yoga and Yoga is very relaxing, meditation. Now, most healthy and can be a people view yoga as a great bonding experience strange, alternative activity, full of weird poses if done with others." and for people of a certain social caliber. After Tessa Jensen, USU student and long time consorting with USU's second-year yoga instrucyoga participant, said yoga helps her calm down. tor Haley Hayes, however, that could not be "It helps me to unwind and really gives the more wrong. deserved attention to my body," she said. "My "Yoga is a practice that can benefit anyone poor vessel is used and abused so unnecessarily, and everyone," Hayes said. "I know that sounds and yoga helps me to understand what I need like a big and cocky statement, but I truly to do to take better care of myself. We are all believe it. I am not saying that everyone will love so very busy in our lives as we grow older, that it, but it will help them." we rarely give our bodies the attention and care Yoga uses relaxing poses and deep breathing that they deserve." to help the stressed person. It helps with joint Another great advantage of yoga is the ability mobility and injury prevention, the young with to practice it either in a classroom setting or at focus and the old with flexibility, Hayes said. home with a DVD. Many of the students have "You do not have to be young, fit or bendy to differing opinions in which they prefer. By JESS WALLACE "It's nice to have a teacher in the presence with you, and to practice yoga with others, you almost get a sense of unity when you forget who is going out with who, and so and so slighted you in math class last year. Instead you clear your mind and are all working toward somethaing," Jensen said. On the other hand, sophomore Andrea Decker said, "I've tried it both ways, and I think it depends on the instructor. It's effective both ways, but for a tight schedule and budget, I prefer the videos." "I think the perfect combination is a bit of both," Hayes said. "Doing yoga in a class is great because someone is there to help you into and out of the poses, check your alignment, give instruction. But yoga classes can get expensive. Having a home practice is great taught at most community or recreational centers. They are offered by USU for physical education credit and are inexpensive. Hayes said, "All that is needed is a yoga mat. It is specific for yoga because it is a bit sticky so your hands and feet won't slip. Most places have mats that can be borrowed or rented. They are available at any store that sells sporting goods or exercise equipment. Prices start around $12." Hayes said yoga is more than an exercise for new-age enthusiasts and health conscious persons. It is a way of clearing the mind and releasing stress. It is about stretching the body and mind, so they both can function more efficiently. It is a means of escape from all the problems and pressures students face every day. — jess.wallace@ aggiemail. usu. edu because it works with your schedule and economical, but no one is there to help you with your poses and see exactly what you are doing. Invest in a quality DVD and then periodically take a class to make sure you have proper 'I.. form." Yoga classes are Guidelines revised for women's health issues By STOREE POWELL What is a Pap test? features senior writer New guidelines were announced for the Pap test used to find changes in cells of a woman's cervix that could lead to cervical cancer. The test Done in doctor's office during pelvic exam Uterus 1. Speculum used to open vagina so doctor can see cervix 2. Cervix scraped with small brush to remove a few cells Speculum Cervix 3. Cells sent to lab for testing New guidelines • Women should have first Pap test at age 21 • Frequency: Younger than 30, once every two years; over 30, every three years Cancer rate drops Cervical cancer per 100,000 women 1975 2006 • Higher risk women need more frequent screening Source: American Congress of Obstetricians and Gyecologists 14.8 6.5 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently issued revised guidelines for when women should receive cervical cancer and mammogram screening. The new guidelines, changed in 2009, have caused much confusion for women and frustration for their health care providers. The new guidelines recommend women have their first Pap smear test at age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active, whichever comes first. Women under 30 should have the test performed every two years, instead of annually. This excludes those with immunodeficiency factors. The thinking, according to ACOG Web site, is to avoid unnecessary treatment of adolescents, which can have "economic, emotional and future childbearing implications." The guidelines no longer recommends women to receive their first mammogram by the time they are 40, but rather in their 50s. Also, the new rules discourage providers teaching women to do self-breast exams because it can cause false alarms, according to ACOG. "I find it difficult to not teach young women how to do self-breast exam, because I, like other women, know women who have found their own lumps and saved their lives," said Mary Orians, MSN and FNP, employee at the Student Health and Wellness Center. Kami Elwood, MA for Women's Health, said, "I think it is worthwhile because we have a number of women we end up sending for ultrasounds to evaluate lumps. There is purpose for self-breast exams." However, Orians said many women are uncertain of the new rules because they can be confusing. "I think one of the biggest threats to women is not understanding the pap guidelines," Orians said. "It can be misleading because a pap test is only a small portion of an overall reproductive health exam. Women can be placated into thinking they don't need a full exam. There are many other factors that need to be assessed." Orians recommends an annual general assessment no matter what. Also, she emphasized women having a good relationship with their gynecologist. "This is the best defense in navigating the confusion," Orians said. Also, Orians stressed the individuality of each woman's health. "A woman's individual health history needs to be considered in establishing a plan for each woman," Orians said. "Women who have had no sexual partners are at lowest risk I See HEALTH, page 7 TH E D "EAMON D GAL L E &-It-ft.i.a Fret, D. (4.4ft'Let-tetiql YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING SPECIALIST 45 NORTH MAIN, LOGAN UT 753-4870 |