Mrs. Sarah Shea, an Upper School biology teacher, told her students to listen to their body.

Mrs. Shea challenged students to use their muscles and body to improve flexibility and strength through yoga; however, she did not expect them to be yogi experts in her class, “Yoga, Health, and Wellness.” 

“It’s a nice introduction to yoga, so you don’t have to have prior experience from yoga,” Mrs. Shea said.

The class, which was taught by Mrs. Shea and Upper School science teacher Ms. Lauren Stutts, allows students to be in a comfortable environment.

“It is really relaxing because you can drift off into your own world and think about what you want to think about,” junior Miles Franklin said. “It’s a nice way to calm down through the busy day.”

Besides the movements benefiting the students in this class, journaling is also a way Mrs. Shea helps her students release stress. 

According to momoyoga.com, “when you blend yoga and journaling together, it can not only deepen your yoga practice but also your understanding of who you are and your purpose in this life.”

The website states that journaling can help people become aware of their emotions, thoughts and lifestyle.

“Allowing myself to write and dive into my emotions before a yoga session is very calming,” junior Chanee Woo said. 

Journaling before a yoga session is very beneficial because it “can be a valuable way to tap into something you want to work on for the duration of your yoga practice,” according to momoyoga.com. 

This class’s typical daily agenda starts with journaling to open students’ minds and get them deep into their thoughts. Then, they do group work, which allows them to listen to one another. Students finish with yoga poses to loosen up and stretch their body.

“Learning new poses and being able to stretch always makes my body feel great after this class,” Woo said. 

 Mrs. Shea said that group work forces students to learn how to work together. By doing this, they cover body and mind concepts, including topics such as nutrition and healthy diets.