By Miriam Butterman
Middle School English, Humanities, and Yoga Teacher (Certified RYS-200)

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” – Oscar Wilde

In September 2013, when ISB middle school students found out they would be doing Yoga every Friday as part of their new academic schedule, they believed that there would be some stretching and a lot of game playing involved, but certainly no learning. Yet when students practice the loosening up of a downward-facing dog, the strength of a warrior pose, the balance of a tree, the playfulness of an inversion/handstand, they develop the qualities we hope they might draw upon in their lives off the mat. Through play and practice, Yoga requires students to reflect on the experience: what does it feel like to be still, to know oneself, and to find acceptance in all we do and are, even when it feels “weird” or “hard”?

When I introduce these concepts to students in the context of literature or history (I teach English and Humanities in the Middle School), I often get responses that reflect what they think is the right answer – that is, what they believe I want to hear. I hoped that by working through the same behaviors in Yoga, students could draw upon the physical experience of Yoga and bring their new insights into the classroom. Through Yoga, they learn that they are capable of balance, strength, being receptive to and accepting of outcomes, and ultimately finding True Happiness despite the feelings that often arise in adolescence: performance-related stress, lack of motivation, body awareness discomfort, and insecurity in friendships.

So every Friday, we gather on our mats to create joyful memories, learn new “circus tricks”, and become more familiar with our own deep breath; sometimes we even meditate (they are barely aware they are doing it, but oh man they are)! We also talk about the challenges of our humanness – fear, anxiety, staying organized, creating goals. I was never quite sure how to gauge their experience at the end of our 40 minutes, but on the cusp of holiday vacation, I asked students what Yoga has taught them about themselves in the four months they have been practicing. The following are some direct quotes from students:

• “This class has really helped me in terms of concentration. It’s also helped me to not freak out and not get as frustrated when I feel stress, and I can get all my work done.”
• “Normally at recess I’m really hyper, and that carries over to the rest of my day when I can’t calm down. But Yoga helps me to calm down.”
• “At the beginning of Yoga I couldn’t keep still, but now I can.”
• “Now before a soccer game I do Yoga with my dad, and I get less cramped up and feel better.”
• “Yoga takes away my extra energy.”
• “Yoga makes me happy.”
• “Yoga makes me flexible, and I feel like being flexible is kinda cool.”
• “Sometimes when I’m in a pose and it’s uncomfortable, I really want to get out of it. But in a way that’s a good thing, because it’s helped me to learn patience and that has carried over to other things.”
• “Every week I look forward to Yoga because it’s a place to chill and not feel so stressed out. I can’t feel that at home because my brother is around, and I can’t do that in school either.”
• “I feel so lucky to have this class at the end of the week, because it helps me to finish the week smoothly and feel grateful.”
• “Yoga has taught me life lessons in each class.”
• “I’m always stressing about finishing my school work before gymnastics, and I feel that Yoga has helped me learn how to find a balance between them.”
• “Yoga in general has helped me feel at peace with myself.”
• “Yoga has helped me with anxiety.”
• “I use some of the meditations before I go to bed at night, and I’ve been sleeping better.”

I’ve been using articles for years to discuss the benefits of yoga for adolescents, but there is nothing better than hearing and seeing the results both on and off the mat. As adolescents begin to learn about responsibility, (an ability to respond), yoga puts it into direct practice. Students become more aware of their own responses and reactions in the world. In ISB terms, this translates to developing an even greater purpose in their role as a global citizen.

Namaste,

Miriam