Kristi Miller and Anna Lloyd normally do not use the Union’s Red Room for practicing yoga, but Wednesday night was different.
The two students, along with several other classmates, sat and stretched in anticipation of the group’s second yoga leisure class.
The class is part of the Union’s leisure classes.
The program provides students and community members a chance to learn how to swing dance, construct jewelry or even become a houseplant expert.
“Leisure classes offer a positive way for students to spend their leisure time in the evenings,” said Anne Henry, Union leisure class coordinator. “They are a great way for anyone to learn a skill or develop a new hobby, and it also gives participants an opportunity to meet new friends with a common interest.”
Miller said taking a leisure class is another way for students to relax.
Miller said the classes also are good for faculty and students seeking a fun social activity.
Lloyd, an education graduate student, said students taking summer courses should consider leisure classes.
“I am only taking two classes this summer so enrolling in yoga gives me the opportunity to take something that is different,” Lloyd said.
Students can choose among 400 classes from 12 categories, including health and fitness, money matters and writing and communication skills.
Henry said the classes encourage the community to get involved with the University.
“Leisure classes are often the first link or perhaps the only connection that some community people have with the University,” Henry said.
Toni Rizzo, a student in the One Stroke with Acrylics course and a Baton Rouge resident, said the experience is great because it allows people to get away from everyday stress.
Rizzo has taken several leisure classes in the past and enjoys them because of the laid-back atmosphere.
Stan Campbell, who has taught beginning guitar for ten years and is a Baton Rouge resident, said leisure classes are a great opportunity for students to determine if the hobby really is something worth getting into.
Henry said there are more than 20 classes that haven’t started yet and students can register until the day before the class starts. Henry said the Union tries to offer new classes each semester.
Among this years additions are The People’s Law School, Gourmet Pizza at Home, Personal Protection and Street Survival and Comedy Writing Workshop.
Introduction to Bellydancing and Writing Today’s Novel will be among the additions for the Fall 2003 semester, Henry said.
Instructors for the leisure classes are drawn from University staff, graduate students and outside community members who specialize in areas being taught, Henry said.
Jeanne Cooper, an art history graduate student and drawing class instructor, said teaching a leisure class is interesting because it provides a great opportunity to learn and interact with people.
The price for leisure classes ranges from $18 to $150.
Any profit the Union Program Department makes is used to fund UPC student activities throughout the year, Henry said.
Interested students can call the leisure class office at 578-5118 or check out the website for complete listings and descriptions of the classes at www.lsu.edu/leisureclasses.