When Professor Leslie Sikes first began teaching yoga at the University of Cincinnati’s Recreation Center, she never imagined the practice would evolve into a transformative academic offering. Today, she leads the university’s Yoga Studies Certificate, a program that weaves together mindfulness, health, and wellness, with Modo Yoga at its core.
Leslie’s journey to this point is as grounded as the Modo sequence itself. She first encountered yoga as a college student at Indiana University. Years later, as a mother seeking balance and purpose beyond the corporate grind, yoga became a lifeline—eventually leading her to become a certified yoga teacher.
But it was her experience at Modo Yoga that changed everything.
“I remember taking my first hot yoga class at Modo Yoga. It was such an incredible sequence—I loved the heat and how it made me feel. The practice was challenging but not punishing, and it was accessible to all kinds of bodies. That’s when I knew I had to bring this to more people.”
In 2016, Leslie completed her Modo Yoga teacher training in Nicaragua and began integrating Modo into her university courses. The response was immediate and powerful. As she puts it, “Yoga was no longer just a gym class or an easy A—it became a lifeline for students navigating the stress and pressure of college life.”
The Power of Practice: Modo Yoga in the Classroom
The Yoga Studies Certificate at UC isn’t about mastering postures or earning credentials to teach—it’s about helping students thrive. Over seven weeks, participants are introduced to Modo’s foundational sequence and its Six Pillars: Be Healthy, Be Accessible, Be Green, Be Community, Live to Learn, and Be Peace.
Each week, students practice, reflect, and write about how each pillar impacts their lives. The course is fully online and asynchronous, allowing students to learn on their own schedule—while still building a deep personal connection to the practice.
“Many of my students had never done yoga before,” Leslie shares. “The Modo sequence met them exactly where they were—physically, emotionally, and mentally.”
Yoga as a Tool for Resilience and Growth
The testimonials from students say it all. One student wrote, “Modo Yoga reminded me that I don’t have to strive so hard to be enough. There is strength in stillness, power in softness, and wisdom in simply being.”
A counseling student described how she unlocked peace for the first time in years, learning to flow with her body instead of resisting it. Another student found that releasing perfectionism on the mat helped her let go of anxiety off the mat too.
Whether it’s helping a freshman recover from life changes or giving a senior student the tools to process uncertainty, Modo Yoga is becoming an essential part of how students at UC build resilience—and reconnect with themselves.
Modo Yoga: A Movement That’s Growing
As Professor Sikes looks ahead, she sees room to deepen the partnership with Modo Yoga. She envisions more integration with faculty and staff wellness, and more opportunities for students to pursue their teacher training certifications after completing the course.
“Yoga and mindfulness help people of all generations feel connected,” Leslie says. “It’s a way to fill the gaps—to move from isolation to belonging.”
It’s clear that Cincinnati is ready for more. And as Leslie continues to inspire a new generation of students, we’re reminded that the power of yoga isn’t just in the poses—it’s in the community, in the pause, and in the quiet revolutions happening every time someone unrolls their mat.