The Power Of Yoga

CB students are transforming their life with a 1,000-year old tradition.

Advanced Placement tests and finals are right around the corner and stress levels are going through the roof as students are preparing the final few weeks of the school year.

Some students here at Christian Brothers have found a way to counteract the stress, whether it be by watching movies or listening to music.  For those of you that haven’t yet found your stress reliever, here’s an idea: Yoga

“I really love the fact that for an hour and fifteen minutes the only things I am focusing on are my breathing and body,” senior Lauren Payne (’13) says.  “I feel very at peace and am able to let go of all the stress I am holding on to.”

Lauren isn’t one of those seniors that just takes yoga at school.  She is a seasoned veteran, taking a variety of classes ranging in focusing heavily on mediation to ones that require extensive physical activity.  This form of exercise holds special memories for her as she was able to bond with her mom and “[fall] in love” with the practice.

“I started yoga my freshman year of high school after my mom entered remission after battling cancer,” she explained.  “She thought it would help keep her clean of cancer so I went with her to support her.”

Physical education instructor Mr. Bobby Fresques is a huge advocate for yoga.  He is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching yoga classes here at CB for a couple years now.  He feels that yoga strengthens and develops the mind and body.

“[The benefits consist in a] healthy mind for focus and avoiding distractions and chatter that is in our heads,” Mr. Fresques states.  “[Other benefits include a] healthy body because of the flexibility and strength which gives more integrity to our joints and builds muscles as well.”

Mr. Fresques feels that students can benefit greatly because it takes them out of reality and allows them to relax.

“It’s a great escape from the academics in which they can get a good workout and they’ll see results,” he says.

For Lauren, she believes that students should take advantage of yoga and other forms of mediation to avoid anxiety and the strain of daily high school life.

“I feel yoga benefits students because it is an easy way to get exercise,” Lauren explains.  “On top of that it is a healthy way to release all of the stress that comes with school, especially high school.”

Regardless of whether or not you’re stressed due to school work or not, Lauren believes that everyone can benefit from yoga and should participate in it as some time in their life.

“People should participate in yoga to take the time and align your mind with your body,” says she.  “[They need] to take the time to draw attention to your body and stretch it and let your mind free of daily stresses.”