A queasiness sinks to the bottom of many students' stomachs when the professor hands out the syllabus on the first day of class. That feeling continues as the weeks progress, through the trunk of the body, until it reaches the neck and then it really hurts.

Stress can hinder many students' lifestyles, but there are several ways to relieve it, such as sleeping, eating, running, screaming or watching television.

Doreen Chemott (junior-science) is bogged down with numerous exams, 17 credits, and volunteering.

"I usually exercise really hard," said Chemott, adding that she might reward herself with a massage for a long week's work.

Chemott is not alone, many others are turning to soft-tissue manipulation as an alternative for releasing stress.

During the summer, Tara Miller (junior-theatre) yearned for a respite from her hectic schedule. She sought relief by receiving a massage from the newly opened Central Pennsylvania School of Massage, 300 S. Allen St.

"It was great, it was just great," Miller said. "It was very relaxing."

Before modern medicine, people turned to the power of hands-on healers for their wellness. The touch of an empowered person was often the only method of curing illness. Today, massage is coming back as a compliment to newer medicinal practices.

Miller received a full body massage that begins with the neck and shoulders and continues with the back, legs, feet, arms, and hands. A full body massage costs about $40.

The school also provides a modality massage, where one part of a person's body is the center oft,he therapist's concentration. For example, a person with an aching back can have the torso maneuvered.

"(The students) make you feel really comfortable," Miller said.

Besides receiving massages at the school, interested people can study the art of massage therapy and eventually become therapists.

"It's a fairly easy thing to do if you're not afraid to touch someone," said Julie Wolin, co-founder and director of the school.

The school offers two programs. For the more intense student who wishes to be nationally certified, a massage therapy program is offered, consisting of 750 hours of study spaced anywhere from six months to two years.

A more basic regimen, the massage practitioner program, takes three months to complete. All students attend anatomy, physiology, pathology, Swedish massage and shiatsu classes.

Although Wolin said she is dedicated to her business, she does not discredit the effectiveness of other forms of healing, such as holistic medicine and yoga.

"We are not a school whose philosophy says this is the only way to heal someone," Wolin said.

An Trinh (senior-molecular and cell biology) said he has always been interested in the power of touch.

"In our society, people don't touch enough," said Trinh, who enjoys giving massages to his friends.

Trinh, who has had no formal training, first became interested in massage for stress relief from reading books a few years ago.

"People who receive massage seem happy afterwards so I must be doing something right," Trinh said.

Another type of healing takes place using yoga and meditation at LifeSpirit Connections, 220A S. Allen St. The organization began five years ago under the direction of Bobby Pfau and offers classes to help every stressed-out student.

"When students want to become involved, it's fairly easy. Our classes meet the needs of students who have busy schedules."

LifeSpirit offers gentle yoga and power yoga classes. For students who wish to have a more introductory class, gentle yoga is best. The power yoga class is for those who want a total flexibility and strength workout. Both classes emphasize an integration of the mind, body, and spirit.

Regardless of the regimen, Pfau asserts that yoga is a wonderful way to relieve stress.

"Relaxation is why they come and why they stay," Pfau said.