When you walk into Gigi Jennewein’s office under the winding stairwell of the Green Center for the Performing Arts, you immediately get a sense of her love for theatre.
Framed posters of past plays line her walls. A copy of the Shakespeare Dictionary sits on a table.
But the DePauw University communication and theatre professor has developed a new passion, one that allows her to find an edge, be present, and discover new experiences: yoga.
“Anything that calms us and makes us more aware of where we are in the moment, is good for us,” said Jennewein, who took a four-week yoga teacher training course this past summer from Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy to become certified as a yoga instructor. “(Phoenix’s) approach is about getting the person who’s experience the yoga to become empowered with regard to their physicality, with regard to their motions.”
Now, Jennewein’s stepping out of her academic field to help DePauw athletes, a crowd her husband and men’s basketball Head Coach Bill Fenlon thinks can benefit immensely from getting that extra stretch and peace of mind within themselves.
Though her main session falls on Thursdays at 7 a.m., the turnouts have been impressive.
“In general, we thought it was a good idea because of the balance and flexibility stuff,” said Fenlon, who also emphasizes the importance of players being aware of their breathing, especially in crucial parts of the game. “Let’s say you’re shooting a free throw. A lot of guys don’t pay attention to how they’re breathing, how they have to slow down with breathing.”
Fenlon also sees yoga as a way to get his players involved early in the season.
“One of the things you’re trying to do as a coach is think of ways to keep your team together,” said Fenlon. “I think we have some thoughtful guys who are pretty serious about working on their bodies and figuring some things out.”
While the yoga sessions aren’t mandatory for players during the preseason, Fenlon has been impressed with their efforts. But Jennewein’s early-bird class hasn’t just brought in Fenlon’s team. Athletes from DePauw’s baseball, lacrosse, and field hockey programs have joined in as well in preparation for the upcoming winter and spring seasons. Senior endurocross rider Rachel Gutish has even used the class as a way to finish recovering from her torn ACL, an injury she sustained over the past summer.
“I’d been meaning to try out a fitness class at DePauw for a while, and I really used to like the yoga days we occasionally did with (Track) coach Megan Mannering,” said Gutish, who noticed a listing of the fitness class schedule in the weight room. “Flexibility is key for injury prevention in athletes, and yoga is a great way to achieve it.”
Gutish hopes to attend other sessions as she reaches full recovery, while Jennewein plans to welcome more sports team as the year goes on.
“Having that awareness of what’s going on in your body can translate to athletes as well,” said Jennewein. “They can have that sensation of ‘Here is where I am present in this moment,’ and then ‘What do I need to do to alter it, to enhance it’.”
