Wellness Series

In today’s age, where health problems are at an all-time high, taking care of your overall health has never been more important. That’s why the university hosted a three-part Wellness Series last month.

Zumba

Created in the 1990’s by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez, Zumba is an exercise fitness program founded in Colombia. Originally, it was supposed to be named “Rumbacize”, a combination of rumba (party in Spanish and various dances) and Jazzercize. Zumba is a fitness regime which makes you feel like you are dancing at a party with upbeat music while performing a fitness routine.

Tip: Make sure you wear proper sports attire and do not forget to warm up, even if you just jog in place.

“To be honest, I was never into sports or physical activities. I tried to skip physical education classes when I was little. Many times I tried to force myself to go to the gym, even sign up for classes with a personal trainer, but it never worked out for me. I used to have a gym membership without going. Last March, one of my close friends came up with the idea of trying Zumba together, so we got a Groupon and gave it a try. We got so lucky with the instructor. I found her energy so beautiful, attractive, and inspiring, and I fell in love with Zumba. Since then, I’ve been going to Zumba classes and find myself leaving each class happy, positive, and full of energy. Zumba is my happy place. “

Assemgul Nurakhmetova

LU Student

Self Defense Techniques

This workshop was hosted by Narunpak Rajavejjphisal (Dear). Dear has a green belt in Krav Maga, the official defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces. It was only made available to the world in 1981, when the Krav Maga Association of Israel and the Israeli Ministry of Education hosted the first international instructor course for Krav Maga.

My prior understanding about self defense was that you should make a move as soon as a person in front of you makes an aggressive move. But the first step in Krav Maga is to tell the “aggressor” with words and hand gestures that you aren’t looking for trouble and do not want to fight. If you can avoid the fight, then why not. If you can’t, however, Dear taught us several techniques, like:

1) Fight stance

2) Straight punch

3) Palm heel strike

4) Hammer fist

5) Wrist grab

“Are you asking me why I love Krav Maga? Because Krav Maga teaches you real life scenarios. We don’t have fancy moves like other Martial Arts, but Krav Maga has moves to save your life and the lives of your loved ones. Since I took my first Krav Maga class, they don’t just train you physically, but mentally as well.”

Narunpak Rajavejjphisal (Dear)

Students Services Coordinator

Introductory session of CPR and First Aid Training

According to the American Heart Association, 88% of people who suffer from a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die. Learning how to perform CPR may drastically improve the chance of saving a person’s life.

Sandra Sengdara Siharath, the founder of Seachampa, came to our university to give us an introductory training on medical procedures to administer before help arrives. She exposed us to some realistic emergencies, and shared the knowledge and skills needed to respond safely and effectively. She demonstrated the following:

• Basic CPR for adults, children and infants with the help of mannequins

• Using a first aid kit

• Pressure dressing for broken arms

• Legal issues

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) stimulation