Category: Jamie (CAS’23)

A Student’s Guide to Yoga in Boston

By Jamie Greene (CAS’23) 

As a college student, stress comes with the territory. Juggling classes, club commitments, and spending time with friends, all while keeping yourself fed and your room clean can be daunting at first. As the school year progresses beyond syllabus week and mounting interests begin to compete even more for your time, it is essential to develop strategies to handle stress and achieve a balance between work, school, and social life. So how do you manage? Among the top suggestions to alleviate stress is yoga. However, as a new student, you might not have time to independently research and test your place to practice yoga. Fortunately, after living in Boston for three years, I have compiled a list of the best places to leave your stress on the mat. 

1. Down Under Yoga tops this list, earning praise not only from me but also from Boston Magazine who granted the studio the title of Best Yoga of Boston in 2017. For the past year, I have been religiously attending Meredith’s 6pm class on Mondays and Wednesdays, and to put it simply: I’m obsessed. Situated near South Campus, Down Under is rooted in traditional practices and has cultivated a welcoming space for both lifelong yogis and first timers. With classes spread throughout the day and week, Down Under provides a varied schedule with plenty of unique offerings. Plus, they offer both a discounted newcomer and student special pricing as well as weekly free community classes.

2. Corepower. Boasting two locations near campus, Corepower is a fan favorite for all levels of yogi. Their class styles range from their beginner C1 to higher intensity classes such as C2 which incorporates heat or yoga sculpt which blends traditional practices with cardio and weights. The studio offers a free 2 week trial pass, giving students the chance to test out which class is their favorite. Further with one location on Comm. Ave. and the other in Fenway, Corepower is a great option if you have extra time between classes in West Campus or for anytime near Kilachand.

3. BU actually offers yoga classes through FitRec, with a wide range of classes featuring different specialties of yoga. Not only can you attend a drop in class, you can even take some for academic credit by registering under a PDP. In addition to those offered at FitRec, Marsh Chapel hosts Mind, Body, Spirit, a meditation-based yoga class every Wednesday from 6:45-7:45pm.

4. Athleta Store Back Bay periodically offers free yoga at their Newbury Street location, with most classes. As most classes take place on Monday or Thursday, their in-house yoga can be the perfect way to set intentions for or unwind and recover from the rest of your week!

5. Boston Commons Frog Pond hosts free yoga classes throughout the summer (June-October)! The combo of free yoga and fresh air is truly unparalleled for those of us who want to practice while still sticking to a budget.

Although this list is in no way comprehensive, it includes a variety of options whether you have been practicing for years or just want to try something new. While navigating school, work, and a social life can be difficult, going to a yoga class shouldn’t be. Whether you venture out to Newbury or Fenway or only make it as far as Marsh Chapel, there is a yoga class that fits your interests and gives you the opportunity to alleviate your stress in about an hour.

 

10 Free (or Under $5) Things You Must Do When You Go to School in Boston

By Jamie Greene (CAS’23)

1. Boston Common Founded in 1634, Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States. Today, its 50 acres provides a meeting ground for gatherings such as picnics, softball, tennis, protests, and celebrations. A cornerstone of the Boston Common is the Frog Pond, which holds a carousel and splash pond in the summer and ice skating rink in the winter.

2. Public Garden Located just off of the Boston Common lies the Boston Public Garden. In addition to the manicured gardens and unique botany, the Public Garden is the home of several works of art, including the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues and Equestrian Statue of George Washington.

3. Boston Public Library Straight out of Hogwarts, the Boston Public Library is a must-visit workspace. With free wifi, computer access, and even a cafe, the BPL is a haven for inspiration, serving as the location for several of my own final essays and research papers. Once work has been completed, I would highly recommend simply walking around the Library which houses a collection of over 23.7 million works, including 1.7 million rare books and manuscripts from medieval authors, to William Shakespeare and John Adams.

4. Bunker Hill I know it’s technically in Charlestown, but you simply cannot go to school in Boston without visiting Bunker Hill. The site of the famous command, “don’t fire ‘til you see the whites of their eyes,” the Bunker Hill monument atop Breeds Hill marks a turning point in the Revolutionary War where the Yankees demonstrated their strength and tenacity to the British troops. Feeling a quick workout with a view? You can even climb the 294 steps to the top for unobstructed views of the city. If you have extra time during your visit there is a museum across the street as well as several restaurants and shops to explore.

5. Freedom Trail For a comprehensive history lesson as well as a chance to get out and explore the city of Boston, it's hard to beat the Freedom Trail. Spanning 2.5 miles, the Freedom Trail takes you to key landmarks across downtown Boston. Historic sites include the Massachusetts State House, Granary Burying Ground (the final resting place of John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Samuel Adams), Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, and USS Constitution.

6. Faneuil Hall If you have extra time, spend it at Faneuil Hall, a stop along the Freedom Trail. Created in 1742 and deemed by the Founding Fathers as “the Cradle of Liberty,” Faneuil Hall Marketplace along with Quincy Market currently houses over 70 retailers serving up indulgent world cuisine. In addition to delicious food and snacks, several retailers and vendors sell Boston apparel and goods. If you want more, step outside to be immediately entertained by street performers!

7. Aquarium Penguins! Sharks! Fish! Fun!

8. Gardner/MFA/ICA If you’re craving an afternoon of arts and culture, I cannot recommend any more highly any of the preceding museums, all of which are free with your BU ID. Inspired by her global travels, Isabella Stewart Gardner transformed her home into an intimate museum boasting an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and tapestries from around the world. Art from Rembrandt, Monet, and Degas are scattered along the walls, the backdrop of a stunning courtyard and beacon of light particularly in the winter months. The history of the Gardner museum is just as interesting as the art, the site of the largest (and still unsolved) private property theft amounting to an estimated $500 million. The Museum of Fine Arts and Institute of Contemporary Art are incredible art museums which host an overwhelming collection of priceless art and artifacts. A must see at the MFA is its extensive Monet collection, one of the largest outside of Paris. For newer appreciators of the arts, the MFA also is home to Egyptian masterpiece statues and busts.

9. Landwer Cafe Like coffee? Need to study? Look no further than Cafe Landwer on Beacon Street in South Campus. Rumor has it that if you show your BU student ID and plan to study, the cafe will reward you with free coffee. Or, if you want to upgrade this experience, they apparently have a nutella latte worth its weight in gold (but only priced at $5).

10. Apartment Hours. Look no further than the halls of KHC for this one. My freshman year, I lived across from the Kilachand Faculty in Residence and Professor in the Pardee School of International Relations, Professor Woodward. Every Tuesday night, Professor Woodward hosted apartment hours which quickly became a staple in my roommates’ and my weekly routine. These apartment hours were a place for meaningful dialogue with our peers, Professor Woodward, and even scholars and professionals. Among these academics, we had the opportunity to converse with fellow professors, chief of BUPD, a public health expert working for the City of Boston, and more! Professor Woodward’s apartment hours quickly became a staple for my freshman year not only for these critical discussions, but also for the snacks. As a gal who was not one to frequent the dining hall, I could always count on Professor Woodward to offer nachos, curry, or some other delicacy. A great opportunity to bond with your peers as well as renowned professors, apartment hours are a must!