The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 5

September 8, 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 9 Sports So, you want to try yoga? By: Alexander Martinie Opinions Editor September is National Yoga Month. Maybe you have been thinking of trying a yoga class or you stopped doing yoga with everything going on in the world and now you want to get back into it. This would be a great time to try taking a class. Things to know before your first class Whether you are doing an in- person, online or a pre-recorded class, there are several things that you need to know before you start your first class. Look into some basic poses, that way you are familiar enough to follow along and not fall too far behind. Do not go in with expectations. Go in with an open mind. Yoga is just as much of a mental exercise as it is a physical one. Know your limits, but be flexible with them and learn to work to push yourself further. There are a few items that you will need. Water is the most important thing you will need to remember before going to any exercise class. Staying hydrated is very important. If you have a yoga mat, use it. Otherwise, there are some things that you can substitute for it. All you need in a mat to do yoga is a cushioning non-slip surface, something comfortable. Try using a rug or a blanket. If you want to do yoga outside, a nice and soft patch of grass is a great place to exercise and get some fresh air. Maybe you want to go to the beach. Slightly wet sand can be a little bit more challenging, but it will give you a better workout than on just a flat surface. A towel is another item you may consider. Where to look for classes and lessons The RecPlex offers yoga classes every day, except Mondays. Try a few of these classes. See which instructor fits you best. Find the right skill level to start with and then work up to the higher levels at your own pace. The Yoga Journal has a calendar for National Yoga Month with daily lessons and tips for those who want to learn more. With current regulations, you might not want to try going to a class in person. You can easily find classes online. Our copy editor, Flor Ana Mireles, suggests Yoga With Adrienne on YouTube. While I don’t use YouTube guides for yoga, I will use the numerous meditation music videos while doing yoga or relaxing. Regardless of how you’re doing it, yoga is a great way to keep both the mind and body balanced. Try some yoga this month. PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM F. MIRELES Copy editor, Flor Mireles finds time to do yoga at home and balance herself Get to know our Shark Athletes On top of the stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic has invariably caused college students across the country, many student- athletes are also facing postponed or even canceled sports seasons. Continue reading below to learn some of the thoughts, hopes and experiences of our NSU Shark athletes as they navigate these uncertain times. How has NSU supported you through the COVID pandemic? “NSU has been doing a great job of keeping us updated throughout the whole process, letting us know what we need to do as athletes to get back to playing and what they are doing for us to be able to have a season. This whole coronavirus thing is unpredictable, so for them to push [the season] back was a smart move. A lot of schools are canceling, so for us to push it back gives us hope. It’s hard, of course, knowing that we aren’t going to be starting on time, but we are hopeful we will get to play in the spring.” RJ Sunahara. RJ is a business management major from Cleveland, OH. He is a redshirt sophomore on the men’s basketball team at NSU. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you as a student-athlete? “Our season is supposed to be during the fall, but it has been postponed to the spring. So, for all the new players coming, it is actually a good thing for us because we get to have more time to practice as a team and the newcomers get to know our playing style and we get to know theirs. It also gives us more time to get stronger in the weight room to prepare for the season.” Kaitlyn Chomko. Kaitlyn is a soccer player and senior biology major from Cape Coral, FL on NSU’s women’s soccer team. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you as a student-athlete? “It affected me right off the bat in the spring having the season canceled all of a sudden. Putting it into perspective to everything that was going on, it wasn’t all that terrible considering we had a season to look forward to. Then, in the summer, things started happening with more suspensions, cancellations and uncertainty. I think the one thing that we tried to focus on was what we can control. What we can control is preparing for whatever comes our way. I’d be lying if I said that it’s not hard to have a season, so much anticipation and for it to be pulled out from under you. That is a very difficult thing, but I think I speak for a lot of people when I say it makes you realize how thankful you are to even play a college sport, how thankful you are to have so many people support you. Even through all of this, there are so many people reaching out, whether it is from NSU or just player to player. There’s a big support system.” Jake Geyer. Jake is an exercise and sports science major with a minor in business and marketing on the NSU men’s soccer team. How has NSU supported you and can continue to support you? “The staff has been doing a very good job of reminding us to do things and being very cautious. Like [when you are] going into physical testing, making sure you wash your hands. I think my teammates have been very supportive if someone isn’t comfortable doing certain things, [letting them know] that that’s okay and just being there for each other.” Madison Cook. Madison is a sophomore pre-nursing major from Orlando, FL on NSU’s volleyball team. How has being on an athletic team at NSU supported you? “I would say having your teammates still be around. We are all trying to get tested on a weekly basis, so I feel like I am in a safe space with my teammates because we know we are doing everything we can to still have a season. We are doing everything we can to not get COVID-19 and spread it to our other teammates. We all want to play, but we all can’t play right now, and we are all trying to figure out how to best deal with that. So, just having that group of people to lean on and still be around [has been really nice].” Brandee Permenter. Brandee is a senior legal studies and sports management major from Orlando, FL on NSU’s women’s soccer team. For a full version of the athlete interviews, be sure to check out The Current’s website at https://nsucurrent. nova.edu/. By: Emma Heineman Features Editor RJ Sunahara Kaitlyn Chomoko Madison Cook Brandee Permenter