High School's New Yoga Course in High Demand
Traditional gym classes – move aside!
Now…dim the lights, cover the windows, cue the music and roll out the mats. The first-ever “Wellness through Yoga” course is taking over (not entirely, but it is in high demand)!
Offered both as a semester elective course or a daily gym requirement for students in grades 10-12, the Yoga course provides students the opportunity to improve stress management skills, physical fitness, and emotional wellness. HHS physical education instructors Kathy Black and Kristen Lucchino teach the classes, which have already become popular among students. Since the beginning of the school year, many students have tried to switch to Yoga from their regular gym classes. “We’ve had to turn them down because the Yoga classes are filled to capacity,” said Black.
Physical skills to strengthen, align, and balance the body, as well as the philosophy, history, movement concepts, mental awareness, and stress relieving techniques are the main components of the High School's Yoga course. In addition, self-analysis, self-reflections, stress tests, fitness tests, and various other tools are used to assess student progress and goals. Students are also encouraged to work at their own pace. “I find the classes to be both relaxing and challenging. After you do a class, it makes you feel good,” said junor Kaliah Pratt, who has also taken yoga classes outside of school.
Yoga students also appreciate and look forward to the calming atmosphere in the middle of a hectic school day. “It’s a good break between my core classes,” said senior Cara Eckenrod. “I love it. I wish it was available when I started as a freshman,” she said.
Namaste.