Rider ditches stress and starts to stretch
By Caitlyn Sutton and Madison Lewis
ALEXANDER Butti reassured eight students that no matter their skill level, anyone can learn from his class, “Mobility & Mindfulness with Alex.”
For an hour each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., Rider students and faculty can feed off the relaxing ambiance of the class and be at peace within themselves, amid their busy schedules.
The serene sounds of ocean waves and calming instrumentals filled the dark seminar room on the second floor of the Student Recreation Center. Butti’s soothing voice cut through the tranquil noises to guide the class.
To inspire students to take it slow and easy, Butti starts the class with a message reminding them to go at their own pace, making sure they enjoy exercising.
A goal Butti has for each student in the class is to reach a complete state of relaxation and combat the common stresses of college life. The intention of the class is to teach the mental and physical aspects of wellness with deep breathing, stretching and holding poses, allowing attendees to take the techniques home with them, according to Butti.
Angela Mulcahy-Hachicha, an administrative specialist for the Office of International Education, frequents Butti’s weekly mobility and mindfulness classes. She said that his class can help to relieve the physical stress on one’s shoulders and wrists, which is brought on by working with technology.
Rider faculty and staff have the ability to use the exercise facilities as well as attend classes, so she utilizes those opportunities to maintain her health and wellness.
“I joined Alex’s class, and I found that most rewarding,” Mulcahy-Hachicha said.
Going into his sophomore year, Butti had basketball-related injuries to his spine and took about six months to recover. Through the physical therapy techniques he learned, he felt encouraged to get certified as a personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and teach others about the benefits of having a strong foundation in physical and mental health.
“At the end of the day the goal is to help [the attendees] with their everyday lives and provide them with value and support,” he said.
Students, new and returning, are provided with a yoga mat, barring them from the added responsibility of bringing their own.
Butti encourages students to remain mindful of their movements. Throughout the sessions, he aims to target different parts of the body to be moved.
“Sometimes I’ll be fortunate enough to have students come back for consecutive weeks,” Butti said. “I can introduce deeper stretches and also challenges.”
Butti monitors the room and ensures students are comfortable and know that they can return to a resting position and focus on their breathing if a movement or position is too difficult for them.
Mulcahy-Hachicha said that he has a great teaching technique.
“Your mind might start to wander every now and again, but he’ll bring you back.”
At the end of his Mobility & Mindfulness classes, he encourages students to lay down and relax for the last few minutes.
Butti said, “If you ever feel as though stress is piling up and you can’t seem to get away from the everyday stressors of life, then I would recommend maybe taking a chance on [the class].”
