Often times, when one hears they have leisure time they automatically connect this with the idea they have a free time period for rest. However, little did you know leisure time has nothing to do with doing nothing! According to Josef Pieper, a German Catholic philosopher, leisure is a time for peaceful learning.
Leisure comes from the origin of the Latin word Scola. Scola in both English and German mean school hence Pieper understands that leisure is similar to doing school work or furthermore learning. Pieper has also made the connection that another Latin word, otium also means leisure. The opposite of leisure in the Latin language, or the state of not being at leisure is neg-otium which translates in the English language to negotiation.
Negotiation is often connected to work, therefore making the clarification that leisure is a time for learning but not a time for work. This clarification shapes my understanding of leisure today because now I further understand that leisure is not just laying down watching TV but actually is the act of learning and doing something such as homework.
Doing homework is considered leisure time because one is at peace learning new things that they may not have known before. Leisure, as it is often misunderstood, is not just a time to be lazy or go on vacation because at these times you truly are not at leisure. Leisure is a time to learn something new whether it is an activity you have been wanting to learn or sitting quietly meditating thinking about and connecting with your inner self.
With the beginning of the school year and the new adjustments I believe it is important for us a student body to realize that we need to fit more leisure time into our hectic schedules, but how? Simple! Just open your ears and eyes and look around campus for an activity or club that truly interests you! Just a few examples of activities that happen weekly and that are perfect for helping you expand your mind and relax at the same time are zumba and yoga! Zumba and yoga are both activities hosted in the hub and are free of charge once you flash your PSU identification card at the door. Zumba is offered Monday and Wednesday with Lauren at seven pm and Tuesday and Thursday at eight p.m. with Lindsey.
According to the recreation section of the Plymouth State website, Zumba “fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away. It allows you to want to work out, to love working out and to get …long term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!”
PSU sophomore and Zumba regular Ashley Blewski details that her favorite part about attending zumba weekly is simply the fact that “afterwards you feel more fit and healthier just from participating.” Another way to spend quality leisure time is by doing Yoga. Yoga is also offered Monday and Wednesday at Eight-Thirty pm with Lili and Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon and Seven pm with Stacey in the hub.
Other group exercise programs such as Spin class, Boot camp, and Core and cardio fitness are also offered for those of you looking for more of a challenging way to spend your leisure time. Specific class times for each of those classes can be found in the recreation section of the PSU website. Another fun way to get involved and have a good time without to much intense activity is to join a PSU intramural team. It’s a great way to get to know new people or to even create your own team and become closer with your friends.
This year PSU plans to offer intramural teams for basketball, broomball, softball, kickball and many more. If you’re interested in this registration is on the PSU website under the intramural sports section. As you can see, these are just a few examples of how you can spend your leisure time here at PSU.
If you’re not a person who really enjoys sports or exercise simply joining any club on campus that interest you would count as leisure time. So forget those day of spending your time lounging on your dorm room bed and find something you’re interested in, get involved and make your leisure time actually leisure time!