Downward dog, tree, lotus and fish: these are some of the many yoga positions students have been trying recently. Yoga Club met for the first time April 13 after sophomore Rosey Nieten decided students needed a way to relax in school.
“I just felt like everyone was super stressed and going through hard times in their life,” Nieten said. “I started doing yoga a couple months ago and it made me more relaxed and happy. I wanted everyone to have access to something like that.”
Yoga consists of various breathing exercises, meditation and assuming postures or poses which stretch and flex muscle groups. According to the American Osteopathic Association, yoga offers many physical and mental benefits for participants. Such as increased flexibility, weight reduction, improved athletic performance, sharpened concentration and stress relief.
The club is student led and meets every Thursday from 3:15-4:15 in A106, club sponsor and French teacher Alyssa Ginter’s room. Students are recommended to wear comfortable clothing and bring something soft to do poses on.
“Just bring something like a yoga mat, blanket, or towel and maybe a water bottle, but you don’t need one,” Nieten said. “Just bring a positive mindset.”
Nieten hopes new members will join so the club can create a real impact on the school environment. Students are encouraged to bring information on new poses for the group to participate in together.
“I think it could really bring a positive impact to the school because of how accepting yoga is,” Nieten said. “It’s for people of all types and you don’t even need to have any experience to start doing it either.”
