Wasilla High students find solace in yoga

WASILLA — During the past several months, Wasilla High School students, parents and staff have come together to practice yoga. Students yearned for an outlet to reduce their stress and asked Wasilla High School teacher Deb Haynes for help.

“It’s really hard to keep everything organized and remember what to do. I feel like I’m forgetting things. I just want help coping with stress,” one of the students stated.

They wanted and needed a way to relax so that they would feel happier at school and be able to be more productive on a daily basis.

With a grant from the Mat-Su Schools Foundation, we were able to purchase yoga mats, straps and blocks. Students and staff just needed to bring themselves to the weekly sessions. They didn’t need to purchase additional equipment to learn yoga.

We’ve had classes as large as 20 and as small as three. The yoga practice has facilitated camaraderie between staff and students, lessened stress and has helped build confidence.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Mat-Su Schools Foundation for the grant. We will continue to use the yoga props this upcoming year and hope to grow the program so that more students and staff are able to experience the benefits of yoga.

Jill Showman is an English teacher at Wasilla High School.