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The Rice Thresher
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Lizzie Taishoff features editor HPER, now known as LPAP, has been the bane of many a Rice student's existence. It's always the last time slot to be filled on a class schedule and often the reason for the big "X" on degree audits. Yet, as much as we complain about the physical education requirement, I think it offers opportunities we do not find in any other class. I get stunned looks when I tell people that I take LPAP for credit even though I have already fulfilled the graduation requirement. It makes me feel self-conscious, as if there is something wrong with enjoying exercise or wanting to try a different kind of sport. I figure that I have four years to learn about and try as many diverse kinds of things as I can and, yes, LPAP is included. My LPAP class has helped me to get back in shape and to spend two afternoons a week outside enjoying the sunshine - which wouldn't happen otherwise with my courseload this semester. But even if you are only fulfilling your two-class requirement for graduation, LPAP offers you the chance to meet students from across campus. My ballroom dance class freshman year spawned two friendships I've maintained for four years and led to several others. It also gave me a few random faces to say hello to on the way to and from classes that year. Playing games or learning tricky moves like "thread the needle" is much more fun when done with others. Without fear of embarrassment, you can try something new - everyone else is struggling with the "pretzel" as well. And surely your new friends will see that your interpersonal skills (beyond the fox-trot) override your three left feet. Beyond the aspect of socializing, making a habit of reserving time for exercise builds a good routine for the future. At the same time, the benefits of a physical education class can be more immediate. While many of us come into Rice in pretty good shape, the vast majority do not remain that way. "CK" food and hectic study and extracurricular schedules wreak havoc on any exercise regimen. Choosing a class that offers instruction in weight training, conditioning or aerobics can get you on a program to get in shape. It's all about choosing the right class for your goals. If you want to learn to two-step and have fun without breaking a sweat, think about taking a country-western dance class. When we enter the corporate world, racquetball and squash often replace fencing and martial arts. In his Oct. 13 column ("LPAP does not enrich the lives of varsity athletes"), Michael Nalepa questioned the intelligence of having the LPAP requirement extend to varsity athletes. But I think LPAP can particularly benefit those on a varsity team. Athletes at Rice often do not have a chance to socialize much with students from their own college, let alone those at other colleges, so they can benefit from the interaction LPAP offers. Additionally, athletes devote a tremendous amount of their time to their particular sport without a chance to enjoy an alternative activity. For a varsity athlete, LPAP also offers a break from a rigorous training schedule to try a kind of exercise, like yoga, that can help their strength and flexibility. While some football players might have trouble seeing themselves in the lotus position, yoga is an exercise that uses the body's natural resistance to promote balance, flexibility and strength. Because of the stretching involved, it helps the body tone and relaxes smaller muscles that serious weight training often doesn't reach. And, as an exercise, yoga has been shown to successfully help the body naturally prevent injury. While I have no doubt that a cross country runner would not benefit much from "Walk, Jog, Run," I do think the benefits of a different type of exercise like Alexander Technique or swimming could be a positive addition to any training regimen and also allow for some relaxation time. And the same goes for the rest of campus. We are all busy, but an LPAP class can give us a chance to relax, try something new or get in shape. It is all about the decisions we make in choosing which class to take. Most of us put some thought into our class selection and the same should be true of LPAP. So consider taking an LPAP class next semester, even if you have already fulfilled your requirement. It is a chance to meet new people, try something new and maybe even get those abs you always wanted. Check out the schedule of classes offered under LPAP or even those in the Wellness Program if they fit better. But think seriously about what you want to get out of your class and consider the variety of options offered. Who knows, you just might surprise yourself. Lizzie Taishoff is features editor and a Wiess College senior.
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