Yoga is becoming increasingly popular among students at DU. In fact, Several DU students are taking their passion for yoga to the next level and becoming certified

yoga instructors. They are registered in various yoga styles, from Bikram, a hot yoga, to Vinyasa, a style focused upon synchronizing movement and breath.

DU students practice and teach yoga

According to the recent Yoga in America study by Yoga Journal, about 8.7% of U.S. adults (18+)

practice yoga, which adds up to more than 20.4 million Americans. Approximately 82.2% of these

yogis, or yoga practitioners, are women.

People take yoga for many reasons. Some want to improve their flexibility, while others take yoga for stress relief and spiritual reasons. Nevertheless, American yogis spend an

estimated $10.3 billion each year on yoga classes, equipment, clothing and other products.

“Yoga is a great workout, and something that everyone should try,” Sam Pihl, a freshman DU student said.

“Yoga is a way of life, it’s a spiritual practice,” Steph Winsor, a junior DU student said. “I can feel it in my mind and my body when I miss a class.”

According to KCFitnessLink, the average yoga instructor is between 30 and 40 years old. However, current participants in yoga teacher training are anywhere from 19 to 75 years of age.

Basic yoga teacher certification requires 200 hours of training. Training includes much more than just attending classes, observing classes, and teaching classes. For

some styles of yoga, training includes taking an anatomy lab, reading about the history of yoga, writing essays, and attending lectures.

Winsor (top), a sophomore double majoring in biology and public policy, is

currently four weeks away from completing her certification in Vinyasa.

Katie Elles (right), a senior at DU, wanted to become a certified instructor because she loves reading about meditation and yoga philosophy, and wanted to teach others about body acceptance. After achieving her Bikram certification through an intense training program, Elles now teaches twice a week at CorePower studios.

CorePower Yoga offers teacher training in a variety of yoga styles. Sam Pihl, a freshman at DU, achieved her yoga sculpt teacher certification through CorePower.

Sculpt yoga is a full body workout that incorporates free weights into the yoga poses.

When Winsor (middle) started her teacher training, she was unsure if she actually wanted to teach. Now, almost done with her training, she offers free weekly yoga classes at her sorority house, Delta Gamma.

Although Elles plans to pursue a career in public health policy and management, she intends to keep teaching.

“Yoga will always be a part of my life,” she said.