Next school year, Yorba Linda High School is introducing a new course for students who are looking to improve their physical and mental health: Yoga for Life, a new class taught by Mrs Salas, coach of YLHS Dance Co. This class offers students the opportunity to learn and practice different types of yoga, along with its health benefits. With the increasing pressure of school, extracurriculars, and their social lives, students often struggle to find time for self-care. This new class provides a solution that helps students relieve stress, flexibility, and overall mental and physical health. With a diverse selection of yoga, such as power yoga or restorative yoga, students will have the opportunity to explore their likes and dislikes within yoga. Sofia Marin (11) says “I love Wednesday Yoga with Mrs. Salas because it gives me an opportunity to relax during the week.”
Yoga has been proven to have many physical benefits. When regularly engaging in yoga students can expect to improve their flexibility, strength, and posture. Yoga exercises often stretch and lengthen muscles which gradually improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury and other physical activities. Many yoga poses require students to support their body weight, strengthening muscles and improving endurance. This also allows for a focus on alignment and body awareness, which helps students reduce strain on their bodies. These exercises can often challenge a person’s balance and stability, which can help body coordination and control. Another benefit that you can get from yoga is boosted circulation. The movements and yoga poses help with better blood flow, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
Along with the physical advantages, yoga is widely recognized for its benefits to mental health. High school can be a stressful time and Yoga for Life can offer students an environment to manage their emotions and mental health. Yoga can reduce stress because of its deep breathing and meditation techniques. These are used to activate the body’s relaxation response, which lowers stress and promotes a sense of calmness. This can also help with emotional regulation. Yoga teaches students how to connect with their emotions and provides healthy ways to cope with problems. By encouraging mindfulness, yoga students can improve their attention and concentration, which is also beneficial for school. These relaxation techniques can help students get an improved sleep quality because if it’s ability to increase melatonin levels in the body. Braylene Easley (11) claims that “Yoga is a good way to exercise without having intense workouts and sweating.”
With mental health becoming an increasing concern among high school students, Yoga for Life strives to provide a supportive environment where students can learn yoga and practice self-care techniques that will benefit them mentally and physically.
