Nazareth Yoga Programs Earn National Recognition
Nazareth College’s yoga programs are gaining national recognition. The College’s Yoga Revolution on Campus won a 2014-2015 Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Excellence Award in the broad category including International, Multicultural, Cultural, LGBTQ, Spirituality, Disability, and Related. NASPA uses Excellence Awards to recognize the outstanding contributions of institutions that are transforming higher education through exceptional programs, innovative services, and effective administration.
In addition, Nazareth’s yoga leaders presented at the National Yoga Service Conference (YSC) at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, N.Y. in May 2015. YSC board members were so impressed by Nazareth’s yoga programs that they awarded scholarships to enable more students to attend.
Nazareth’s yoga revolution started three years ago in the Center for Spirituality and has attracted participation from hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Some of the many yoga classes include yoga for athletes, outdoor yoga, nightlight yoga, yoga therapy and the Yoga Empowerment Partnership.
The yoga programs utilize a wide variety of high-impact and active learning practices, which research suggests increased rates of student retention and student engagement. Assessment has shown an overwhelmingly positive effect on students, from successful achievement of student learning outcomes to a notable decrease in stress. Yoga has even promoted student leadership development, with yoga students participating in major national leadership programs such as the Clinton Global Initiative University and the National Yoga Service Conference.
The yoga programs represent Nazareth’s long-standing commitment to fostering spiritual growth and development as part of a holistic education. It reflects a contemporary approach to spirituality that includes people from diverse religious and philosophical backgrounds.
For More Information
Julie Long, Nazareth Chief Public Relations Officer: (585) 389-2456; jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
