The Elizabethtown College Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being hosted a Stretch and Glow class on Sept. 25. The event was created by Director of the Bowers Center Whitney Crull, and the class was led by Group Fitness Instructor Cassidy Dunn in the Bowers Center Field House.
The class was created to establish a fun environment that positively impacted the students mentally and physically.
When participants entered the Field House, blue lights and glow sticks welcomed them. A table was set with glow sticks and various fasteners for students to create their own “glowing jewelry.” The luminous attendees then took their place, and Dunn began leading the class. During the session, soft-pop music played overhead, supplementing the already calm environment.
Dunn became a Group Fitness Instructor to teach others about the importance of stretching. Based on her own experiences of injury, she wants others to learn fundamental skills of protecting oneself during physical activity.
“My personal trainer, who helped me when I had my shin injury, inspired me to teach others, too. I have had so many injuries from running and was constantly told how important stretching was. So, I wanted to help others stretch too, while making it fun,” Dunn said.
Dunn described how stretching can improve one’s performance as well. Releasing tension and warming up has proven to enhance a person’s ability in sports or working out.
“There are so many benefits,” Dunn said. “One being that it will help you warm and cool down after a workout. A big one for me is that it will prevent certain injuries, and as a plus, makes you more flexible!”
Apart from physical benefits, stretching positively impacts an individual’s mental wellness. This activity can act as a stress reliever through a person’s mental connection to their body; however, Dunn described that the activity is only beneficial if it is done correctly.
“Stretching is so important before and after working out and is a really good stress reliever. But stretching is only good if it’s done the right way, which is why I love that I can teach people and help people do it correctly,” Dunn said.
Attendees described the experience as enjoyable and relaxing.
Participant Hannah Sohn stated that she was interested in the event due to its exciting description.
“I wanted to attend the event because it sounded like a lot of fun! It also is a good way to relax and wind down at the end of the day,” Sohn explained.
Overall, Sohn found the event beneficial and entertaining.
“It gave me some time to wind down while enjoying the company of others. My body also felt so much better afterwards,” Sohn said.
Attendee Hannah Brown had similar reactions to Sohn for the Stretch and Glow class.
“The event was beneficial as it helped me feel much more relaxed and was a fun activity for my friend group! Cassidy also had a great playlist, so we got to listen to some nice music, too!” Brown described.
Sohn and Brown would both attend another Stretch and Glow class or an event similar. They found it extremely beneficial for their overall wellness.
Dunn believes that the event was a success. She was encouraged by the turnout and the positive comments she received.
Students should expect to see another event like this in the future due to its apparent popularity.
Dunn teaches a stretching class every Monday at 7 p.m. in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being. Any student is welcome to join and experience the mental and physical benefits of stretching.
