Pip Gamble, Staff Writer
It is a historical fact that teenagers are under extreme stress levels. But for students at Bethel High School, being stressed about tests, essays and college application is no longer an issue. Instead they stretch into the warrior position, connect with the planet’s energy and focus on their breathing.
Bethel High School is believed to be the first high school in Connecticut to have a state approved yoga program. Twenty juniors and seniors have signed up for the new elective.
Yoga, an ancient discipline rooted from Hindu and Buddhist belief, is known for it is ability to relieve stress and practice of mindfulness.
Yoga is not just a way to stay limber and help your posture. It also helps with decision making, stress management, concentration and acceptance to name a few mental health benefits. Scientists have proven that yoga has a positive effect on high school students, such as improving test scores and curbing substance abuse.
Overall the new yoga curriculum at Bethel High School is improving their students stress levels and ability to cope with school work. Yoga is known to help teenagers cope with the daily stress and the stress that comes along with school and its many activities. So should Newtown High School have a yoga curriculum?
“Teens these days are under tremendous pressure to succeed academically, socially and extracurricular. They rarely, if ever, slow down to allow themselves to just be. This can lead to what I like to call "auto-pilot" behaviors and thought patterns,” said Newtown resident, yoga instructor, physical therapist and mom Wendy Verga. “Yoga combats that by asking one to connect to their breathing, to move mindfully and with purpose, and to make conscious choices in patterns of movement and thought. This leads to self-trust and valuing one's own internal, intuitive voice--a most valuable asset for teens when making decisions both big and small.” A couple of years ago Verga taught a yoga class for her son’s class before CMT’s. After the teacher said that she had never seen a class so calm and relaxed before a test.
Yoga also helps teenagers with self-esteem and self-image. It is one of the only ways of moving that that encourages a sense of self love and self-compassion. Through the process of self-discovery and exploration one learns to be kind to them and develop a sense of self-acceptance.
Of course there are the obvious benefits of yoga: full body strengthening, developing greater flexibility, healthy spine, improved posture, stronger/ denser bones, increase release of endorphins that aid in feeling more relaxed and happy etc.
“For teenagers this can be the start of a lifelong opportunity to take great care of their physical bodies, while nurturing their hearts at the same time.” Verga said.
Newtown High School teacher and yoga instructor Cate Brainard, runs the mediation club for students and teachers. “Whether you realize it or not, all day long we are bombarded by sensory input and stressors. Lights, noises, homework, tests, navigating our way with our peers and teachers. Life is stressful.” Brainard said. “When you practice yoga, you might start out with a racing mind, but a good practice begins slowly, allowing the body and mind to settle as you begin to focus on your breath and postures.”
There are definitely mental and physical benefits that yoga brings to teenagers.
Photo Credit; yogasuite.net
