The office of Student Support decided to CANCEL all of the Yoga and Pilates at AUC due to the budget cuts.

We, AUC community, demand that the Yoga and Pilates classes resume (3Yoga classes and 1 Pilates classe per week) due to the following reasons:

The Student Support office provides the "Wellness Program" which aims on promoting a healthy lifestyle and well-being: "Wellness is a process of moving toward personal awareness and a healthier lifestyle... Wellness involves the whole person; mind, body and spirit. A personal wellness lifestyle is associated with good physical health, emotional stability and improved personal relationships, as well as increased career satisfaction. The AUC Student Counseling Center (SCC) promotes a “wellness “ oriented lifestyle. Our workshops and group sessions offer the tools, education and practical tips to achieve a healthy balance among all areas of wellness. " - Student Wellness Program website (http://www.aucegypt.edu/studentlife/Pages/wellness.aspx)

Here are some of the psychological and physiological benefits of Yoga and Pilates as a form of exercise :

-Increases lung capacity and circulation through deep breathing

-Strength and flexibility

-Coordination-both muscular and mental

-Posture, balance, and control of the body

-Core strength is increased (abdomen, back muscles and buttocks muscles)

-Bone density and joint health is improved

-Reduces stress and anxiety

-Promotes relaxation

-Learning efficiency improves

-Social skills increases

These are benefits that the Wellness Program promotes.

2. Classes are high in demand. All the sessions are packed with participants who are students, faculty and staff from both genders.

3. As students, we pay 'Student Activities' fees every semester and Yoga and Pilates classes are part of the 'activities' that we pay for.