Having a day full of tests, presentations, and assignments. Stressing over school, sports, and work. Sometimes all a student wants is a break from it all and to temporarily pause all their worries.
Recently, the Wentzville School District decided to add yoga classes as a gym credit. Other schools like Timberland and Holt added the yoga class last year. And this year Liberty decided to add it to their course selection as well.
“Yoga has been added to many schools’ curriculum over the years and finally Wentzville took note of that,” yoga teacher Veronica Kirkpatrick said.
Many students decided to take this new class to try it out. These yoga classes are very popular, as they are almost all full.
All yoga classes take place in the wrestling room while utilizing this space during wrestling off season.
Students who take this course will learn all of the basic yoga techniques as well as trying different types of yoga.
Senior Addison Craven decided to take yoga to fulfill her gym credit as well as have a nice relaxing class in her day.
“It’s super calming and everyone seems to be nice. It’s like a safe space especially if you want to wind down at the end of the day,” Craven said.
Physical education in schools has come a long way.
The selection for gym classes used to not be offered as widely as it is now. In many schools there used to be only one class that would be offered as a physical education credit.
Since then schools have added a larger variety of gym classes. Like fitness walking, weight lifting, team sports, and many more.
“I like teaching the class for the fact that I practice yoga outside of school. It helps me regenerate throughout the day, throughout the week,” Kirkpatrick said.
Kirkpatrick even uses essential oils and LED lights to create a more calming space for her students.
One day a week students take a break from practicing yoga and practice other activities of their choosing. Some classes are journaling on this day while others will be learning how to line dance.
“I think everybody should take this class including males and females flexibility, core, fundamentals that will be essential for all athletics,” Kirkpatrick said. “It’s a lifelong fitness people can use later in life.”
