Breathe, Relax, Yoga
June 19, 2015
Instuctor Danielle von-Matt demonstrates half moon pose to the students of her hatha yoga class at De Anza College on June 9.
Hatha Yoga looks simple, yet remains deceptively challenging. Students work their way from beginning stretch poses to challenging balance positions, such as Warrior Two.
Yoga instructor Danielle Von-Matt gives instructions through a mic linked to speakers in the room at De Anza College. Her voice slowly guides students through the series of poses, linking each new motion to an inhale or exhale.
Students in utleatasana, or chair pose, a thigh and spine strenghtening pose.
Students move at their own pace. Von-Matt walks through the class, stopping to help students that can’t achieve the pose.
Multiple students struggle with maintaining their balance, and have to stop and start over.
Students practice balasana, also known as child’s pose, to promote whole body calm and restoration.
Calm and soothing music plays nonstop in the background, punctuated only by Von-Matt’s voice.
Students gain more than just credits from the classes. “You can feel relaxed often,” said Uyen Nyuen, 20, accounting major.
De Anza students should take this class “to relax, to exercise. To lose weight,” said Nhi Nguyen, 20, biochemistry major.
