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The AHP fosters wellbeing for patients, staff, and caregivers both on-site at MGUH and online through Eventbrite courses.
Our movement artist-in-residence Katie Harris Banks provides movement opportunities for staff members, guiding them through stretch breaks and leading weekly yoga classes. She also teaches free AHP virtual yoga classes available to the public, extending wellness and opportunities for movement to the global community.
AHP Program Manager Noni Ford sat down with Katie to discuss her movement journey and methods for yoga instruction.
How did you get into movement and yoga?
I have been a dancer most of my life. As a child, dancing regularly is what kept me feeling happy and calm (a concept that I'm much more intrigued with studying now, now that more and more research shows the benefits of regular movement to balance our body's nervous system). I went to an arts magnet high school where I studied dance, and fell in love with the self-expression and freedom of modern dance. Then, in college, I studied Dance and Choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University. One semester in my junior year, I had the option of taking an 8:00 am ballet class or a 9:00 am yoga class, and since I've never been a morning person, I obviously chose 9am yoga! I fell in love with the practice, and have been practicing yoga for over 20 years now. It has been a wonderful practice, not only because it makes me feel good, but it's been great "cross training" for my career as a professional dancer and teacher for the past 20+ years.
What motivates you? How do you motivate others?
I'm motivated by the joy in sharing with other people that yoga and movement isn't a practice only for a certain type of person- it's not just for the young, fit, flexible, etc. And even by doing a little at a time, the benefits are significant! Also, that body awareness, functional movement, and body mechanics are concepts that anyone can experience, regardless of how much they know about their body to begin with. That's what I love about the 5 minute stretch breaks that I lead all over the hospital- not only is it a chance to refresh your brain, feel good, help build comradery with your colleagues, and help to prevent injury (and workplace burnout!), it also helps create a deeper knowledge of your own body and how it functions.
In your classes, how do you accommodate different skill and fitness levels?
Anyone is welcome in my class! To me, different experience and fitness levels are what make a group class interesting and fun. I like to give lots of options and ways to modify different poses, so that there's something for everyone who's there. There is ALWAYS a version of a pose that is possible for every body. I also like for my classes (and my stretch breaks) to be a relaxed atmosphere, where everyone feels welcome and no one feels nervous.
What are the top three exercises you recommend for any participant?
Doing something, even if it's just 5 minutes, MORE often is better than doing a long practice or big workout LESS often. So even if you can only find 5 minutes to exercise, stretch, or even just close your eyes and breathe, it's worth it!
If I only had time to choose 3 poses, I'd go with:
- Plank Pose (a push up position) for strength
- Wide Legged Forward Bend (feet wide, hands on the floor or the seat of a chair in front of you) for hip and hamstring flexibility
- Apanasana (laying on back, hugging knees to chest)
What exercise or movement challenge would you encourage people to do?
At the hospital, one relatively easy way to get some extra exercise is to take the stairs. Bonus is you don't have to wait for the elevator to come! Also, I highly recommend setting an alarm for every hour or so to do a quick stretch. If you sit at a desk a lot, standing up, clasping hands behind your back, sliding your shoulders back and opening/lifting your chest does wonders. If you stand a lot (nurses, I'm looking at you), do a calf stretch, a quad stretch (grabbing your ankle behind you), or a hip stretch such as a standing Figure 4 stretch. Any simple movement you can work into your day is beneficial. Every little bit of movement counts, and every little bit helps!
Katie teaches weekly virtual yoga classes on Eventbrite and in person yoga classes for MGUH staff on Fridays. Visit our Eventbrite to see what classes we offer and to sign up for Katie's yoga class!
If you are a MGUH staff or faculty member and would like to join Katie's Friday Yoga Classes in the hospital, please send an email to lombardiartsadmin@georgetown.edu.
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