Summer Sunshine Yoga series offers free yoga to employees; practice mindfulness in upcoming Digital Detox Challenge

Marquette employees can access free yoga classes during the summer at the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility as part of the Summer Sunshine Yoga series. Classes are open to faculty, staff and students.

Registrants should arrive on the third floor of the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility before class; sessions will be held on the terrace, or indoors in the event of rain.

Yoga for Wellbeing will be offered Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and Aug. 4. This class emphasizes gentle movement, grounding and mindful awareness in a trauma-informed setting that welcomes all bodies and abilities. The class focuses on cultivating relaxation, connection and inner strength.

Slow Flow Yoga will be offered Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. on July 6, 13, 20 and 27 and Aug. 3. This practice features a steady, unhurried pace with attention to breath and alignment. With longer holds and smooth transitions, Slow Flow Yoga supports strength, flexibility and balance while providing a grounded, meditative experience suitable for all levels.

Registration is available through the Campus Recreation Member Portal. Once signed in, participants should:

• Scroll down to select "Fitness + Well-Being"

• Click "Group Fitness + Well-Being"

• Select their desired class

Yoga can positively influence both physical and mental health. Physically, it helps improve muscle strength, joint health, flexibility and posture. Its emphasis on quiet focus, controlled breathing and present-moment awareness also supports mental well-being, promoting a sense of calm that can enhance concentration, increase mindfulness and reduce stress - benefits that may, in turn, further support overall physical health.

Digital Detox Challenge

The Digital Detox Challenge is a wellness challenge for employees and their spouses that will run July 13-Aug. 9, with registration opening Monday, July 6, following the Gift of Time. This challenge encourages participants to purposefully choose to have less screen time and instead engage in activities that support mindfulness. Attendance at a yoga class can be recorded as an eligible activity for the challenge.

This will be the final challenge of the My Wellness program year, which ends on Aug. 14, and provides the final opportunity to earn 25 My Wellness points for the wellness challenge activity. Registration opens July 6 in the My Wellness portal.