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What to Know Before Trying Partner Yoga

By U.S. News & World Report

If you are looking to do something special with your partner this Valentine’s Day — and you’re bored with the same old dinner and a movie routine — try partner yoga for an event you will remember. Partner yoga is a great way to share an experience with a close friend or loved one.

Depending on the people involved and your relationship, this activity can be a leap of faith. It is an intimate, physical practice. Make sure you avoid a painfully awkward position by following these tips:

1. Know what to expect.

Every partner yoga class varies, but one thing is for sure: They are all hands-on. Be prepared to get close to your partner and physically adjust him or her. If you are comfortable and confident with your partner, it’s like practicing yoga with your own personal masseuse. Your partner will help you settle deeper into poses with less effort, which should only feel great. It is playful and fun. You will have moments when you support one another — and moments when you will fall together.

Most partner-based classes offer beginner variations. The poses are not overly complicated. A new student should feel comfortable going to a partner yoga class — if he or she is comfortable with the partner. Keep in mind that when you work as a team, there will inevitably be some confusion, but it is all in good fun.

2. Choose wisely.

When you practice yoga with a partner, you want to make sure there is a good amount of trust and comfort between you. Choose someone whom you have a strong connection with, are willing to get physically close to and whom you can clearly communicate with. A spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend is usually best. Or, you might pick someone you care about and want to be close to. But don’t pick someone randomly. Keep in mind your partner will be in your personal space for the entire class. If you really enjoy partner yoga and just want to have fun, go with a close friend and perhaps share a few laughs.

3. Arrive prepared.

Make sure you are prepared to move around freely and stretch. Wear comfortable clothes that you can work out in. You should also bring everything you would need for a regular yoga class, such as a yoga mat, a water bottle and a towel. If you do not already have yoga equipment, most yoga studios can provide you with everything you need. Besides the basic yoga gear, all you need is a partner who is a good fit for you and has a positive, open-minded mentality.

4. Reap the benefits.

Partner yoga is a great opportunity to get close to a romantic partner or reignite your passion for each other. It facilitates an experience where you can be playful and laugh and smile at one another while you practice. It gives you permission to be clumsy, goofy and, at the same time, see each other from a different perspective. It’s a great way to enjoy one another’s company while making each other feel good, both physically and romantically.

Often, you’re asked to literally support one another in poses, which helps build trust and confidence. While you’ll have a teacher guiding you, it’s up to you to mindfully touch and adjust each other in a way that’s strong, helpful and compassionate. Doing that takes communication and honesty, and helps develop an awareness of your quality of touch and your sensitivity to physical sensations. The art of touching your partner with intention and viewing your partner through a new, interesting lens can be great for intimacy. Above all, it’s fun and it simply feels good.

More from U.S. News

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What to Know Before Trying Partner Yoga originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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