Thursday, November 7, 2024
Brock's Only Independent Student Newspaper
One of the only worker-owned and operated newspapers in Canada

BUSU Puppy Yoga sessions, a highlight from the 2023 Wellness Week lineup

|
|

As part of the Wellness Week 2023 event lineup, on March 10, BUSU hosted a series of “puppy yoga” sessions where students had the chance to stretch their muscles and pet English Bulldog puppies.

BUSU hosted two puppy yoga sessions, meaning students could sign up to attend the event at 10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Both sessions were entirely sold out on the BUSU website several days before the event.

Throughout, students had the guidance of Echo Wang, the lead yoga trainer at the event and founder of “Yoga Kawa,” a Canadian-founded yoga company offering various yoga class services, including puppy yoga.

The first segment of the event was mainly dedicated to teaching students what to do and not to do once the puppies came into the session: for instance, not forcing them to stay still if they wished to wander around the room or what to do in case a puppy vomits.

Wang asked all attendees to relax, close their eyes and engage in a puppy-themed meditation session. She asked students to imagine an English Bulldog puppy coming toward them as they meditated and slowly stretched their necks in anticipation of the puppies being released into the room.

As soon as the English Bulldog puppies were released into the room, attendees were visibly happy and eager to interact with the dogs, with many being distracted from the yoga session itself to pet the puppies and take photos with them. For those who were still engaged in the actual workout, Wang guided students through beginner-friendly yoga poses, such as child’s pose and “puppy pose.” Despite most students shifting their attention to the fuzzy companions present in the session, those interested in yoga still were able to get a good yet easy morning workout, regardless of skill level.

Once instructor Wang finished the guided-yoga session, ample time was dedicated for students to take photos with the puppies. Wang gave students instructions on how to carefully hold the puppies for different kinds of photos to not to hurt them or startle them.

Likewise, Wang also offered to supervise and assist in more complex photo prompts, as in the case of students who wanted to take photos doing the “puppy pose” with a puppy standing on their back or students who wanted a photo with a puppy cradled in the hood of their hoodies.

Rebecca Cecchini, a first-year concurrent education student, found great joy in joining the BUSU Puppy Yoga session. “I expected there to be more yoga, but that’s okay because I know when you have the puppy, you just want to sit with the puppy, but it was still very fun. I expected it to be good, and it was very good,” said Rebecca. “I would totally recommend that they [students] come and try it because it was very fun.”

To keep up with BUSU Wellness Week events, make sure to follow their Instagram page and to routinely check out the events tab on their website. As well, to find out more about Echo Wang’s “Yoga Kawa,” follow them on Instagram and check out their website.

More by this author

RELATED ARTICLES

BUSU board talks budget, denies VPUA $3,000 for conference travel in October board meeting 

BUSU’s mid-term board meeting yielded some interesting results, including the first failed motion of the year. 

Ford determined to build Highway 413 despite labour disputes and environmental concerns 

As part of the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act announced on Oct. 21, Ontario plans to speed up construction of Highway 413 and other roadway projects, despite labour disputes that will likely impact its construction and increasing concern surrounding the environmental costs of the project. 

Want to freelance? Brock LINC workshop shares tips for student entrepreneurs 

Many students attend university intending to start their careers, but it is quite possible to start that journey while you’re still taking classes with freelancing.  

Former One Direction star Liam Payne dies at 31 

Liam Payne passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 16 following a tragic fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

Every day is Halloween for the Brock Horror Club 

The Brock Horror Club shows that horror is more than just movies: it’s literature, conversation and community. 

How the Pharmacare Act will change healthcare for Canadians 

The Pharmacare Act finally passed through the Senate on Oct. 10, bringing new medication coverage and increased healthcare access for all Canadians, pointing to the beginning of a universal pharmacare program. 

Trudeau discusses leadership, the upcoming election, electoral reform and more on “Uncommons” 

On Oct. 1, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared on MP Nate Erskine-Smith’s podcast Uncommons to discuss a plethora of subjects from his failures and successes in office to the priorities he is bringing into the next election. 

BUSU approves $46,000 for coffee cup recycling bins, receives a near-final audit report in their August and September meetings 

BUSU has uploaded the recordings of their August and September board meetings. Here are the highlights.