CampusYoga in the University of Bayreuth’s Anniversary Year

From sunrise to sunset: Yoga for everyone – and for the UBT community

The day began as early as 7am with an open “Wake-up Yoga” session at the central campus Rondell – a new format that, for the first time, explicitly welcomed members of the public from the city and surrounding region. Despite the early hour, many yoga enthusiasts gathered on their mats and started the day together with breathing exercises and gentle stretches.

Three further sessions – exclusively for staff and students – followed throughout the day in the idyllic setting of the Ecological-Botanical Garden: “Gentle Yoga for Digestion” during the lunch break (held in English), a guided meditation in the afternoon, and a relaxing “Evening Flow” to round off the day.

The sessions were led by Mirna Al Masri, a research associate at the Chair of Planetary and Public Health in the Faculty of Law, Business and Economics, who is also an experienced yoga teacher.

Around 200 participants – and space for more than just movement

Over the course of the day, around 200 people took part in the yoga sessions – a strong signal of the growing need for mindful movement and mental relief in university life. After each session, participants could recharge with freshly prepared smoothies and healthy snacks provided by the Oberfranken Student Services.

The day concluded with an evening get-together, offering opportunities for conversation and networking, accompanied by live music – a true highlight set against the picturesque backdrop of the garden’s outdoor area.

Dr. Philipp Laemmert, Head of University Health Management, emphasised: “For us, CampusYoga is more than just a movement programme – it’s an invitation to pause, reconnect with ourselves, and strengthen the sense of community on campus. Especially in an anniversary year, we want to show how vibrant and holistic health promotion is at the University of Bayreuth – for staff and students alike.”

With lots of positive feedback and fresh inspiration for everyday routines, CampusYoga is sure to return soon.