The birds are chirping in the air so it must be Spring. The snow has melted and the beautiful warm days are right around the corner…right? Lets face it, Iowa’s springtime is typically not as warm as places in the south or even out west during this time of year! For those of you who enjoy indoor activities, you’re in for a fabulous treat.

Yoga:

Why is yoga good for you? That’s simple, it makes you feel better. Yoga channels your mind and body. It’s often described as very relaxing and energizing. It can include breathing exercises, meditation, physical postures and more. Many people enjoy the increased flexibility as a result from doing yoga.

There are many benefits yoga can offer, here are a few:

• lowers stress and improves your mind
• helps you lose weight
• improves sleep
• lowers risk of injury
• boosts confidence
• increases immunity

Ignite Yoga, located in Ames, offers heated hatha yoga classes, hybrid  pilates/ yoga classes and regular pilates. If you’re interested, make sure to have:

• yoga mat
• beach towel or yogitoes towel
• water bottle
• sweat towel

You can also rent towels, mats and water for $1 each.

Bowling:

What can be more fun than getting a group of friends together over good food and a few games of bowling? It’s a great opportunity to hang out and… get a little exercise! Whether you’re a pro or just a beginner, Ames offers two great places to showcase your skills: The Underground and Perfect Games. The Underground is located right here on campus at the Memorial Union. Perfect Games is located off campus in west Ames at 1320 Dickinson Avenue. There are so many reasons to bowl and have some fun indoors.

The great about thing about this activity is that you can enjoy it whenever you feel like it. Most bowling alleys are open everyday of the week. They also typically offer Cosmic Bowling; usually on Friday nights, in which the lights go off and they have black lights up with disco balls and music. It provides a very energetic and fun atmosphere.

College students are all about stretching a dollar. Although prices have gone up, it’s still an affordable option, especially if you go on a day that has specials. Prices vary at each center, but some places offer discounts (keep your student i.d handy!).

So the next time you’re looking for an activity indoors, consider bowling.