Sunday Showcase returns to Kenai Peninsula College this weekend

Is stress getting you down? Can't concentrate on your work? Kenai Peninsula College has just the prescription for you, and it doesn't come in pill form. Best of all, it's free.

The traditional KPC Sunday Showcase series kicks off at 3 p.m. Sunday in the commons with Ann Marina's "Yoga and the Mind-Body Connection."

Marina currently leads a yoga course at Kenai Peninsula College. She has been a part-time yoga instructor at KPC since 1982. Besides teaching yoga at KPC, she is an educator who does presentations on bettering for employee groups and the public. She also is a free-lance writer who specializes in issues related to stress management and wellness.

Ann is active in the community and has volunteered for a number of organizations. She promotes wellness, both spiritual and physical, in as many forums as she can.

The Sunday Showcase lecture will explore the history and practice of yoga and its development in the United States over the last 75 years. Yoga, an ancient philosophy and system of physical exercises that originated in India, is now used in some medical centers for pain management and to complement treatments for heart disease, cancer, arthritis and other disorders. It combines stretching, holding postures, breathing and relaxation.

Although yoga has become an American fitness trend, a few myths surrounding its practice persist.

Marina refers to the "guru-disciple syndrome" that some people have regarding yoga. It is not all about chanting while sitting cross-legged on the floor. She explains that many users report feeling more focused and fit in mind and body after a session of yoga. Physical fitness and relieving stress and anxiety are the desired outcomes one seeks by practicing it.

The lecture will illustrate the varied styles and intensities of yoga practice. There will be time for questions following the lecture. Interested persons will be invited to stay after for instruction in a few basic yoga postures. Marina recommends wearing comfortable clothing for stretching.

College Council

seeks members

Kenai Peninsula College is actively recruiting individuals for several open positions on the KPC College Council.

The council is an advisory board that serves as the community link for a variety of college issues. It advises KPC Director Ginger Steffy on important curriculum issues, administrative actions and a myriad of related details that surround the operation of the campus. All areas of administration make presentations to the council to outline current activities and issues so members stay fully informed about college activities.

The faculty department heads and a representative from student services also report to the council. The council makes many decisions that directly affect college operation and maintain a direct link with the community.

The council strives for representation from a variety of businesses and organizations from multiple sectors of the peninsula. Possible disciplines complementary to the existing board are health care, information technology, small businesses and tourism.

Three open positions need to be filled.

Those interested in becoming a member of the advisory board should drop off a resume at the director's office on campus or e-mail it to insk@uaa.alaska.edu.

For additional information about the council, call 262-0317.