In School Initiative

The "Yoga 101: In School Initiative" is still in the development stages. However, we have decided that there will be two options, being 1) Yoga 101 for Physical Education and 2) Yoga 101 for the academic classroom. This program is being developed to fit into any curriculum as it focuses on the study of Yoga without the inclusion of Hinduism. Thus, making it appropriate for both private and public academic settings.

The idea for Yoga 101 began to develop while YogaJen was working at Indian Hill Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio. YogaJen stepped in to volunteer for the schools activity period Yoga class. When she took over the class there were 15 students. The following semester around 30 students signed up and in the current semester the class has grown to 44 students. This is a voluntary elective class that has received a great deal of attention and interest within the student body. This was not unnoticed by the administration or YogaJen. Shortly after the semester began there was a meeting of the minds. Discussed was the possibility of integrating Yoga into more of the schools curriculum to serve more of the student body. The initial desire is to bring Yoga into the Physical Education program. While this has still not been finalized, the administration has set up a couple "test-drive" classes. YogaJen will teach a few days of the Physical Education: Fitness classes to see the student response, and then discuss full integration. While there are a few other yoga for the schools programs that have been developed, YogaJen feels that it is desirable to make Yoga 101 a program that is simple and practical for the schools to embrace.

Both YogaJen and the administration have been looking into why these classes have been so successful. It is our belief that this population of student is hungary for the skills used to relax and de stress from their daily lives. This period of time in a child's life can be intimidating and even scary. Their bodies, minds and environments are changing at such a pace that they often feel confused, scattered and out of control. Most have a difficult time even simply defining who they are. It has proven that the techniques used in Yoga 101 give these students the tools to continue on their journey to adulthood and participate in their community in a more productive and healthy way.

Yoga 101 for Physical Education: This program is being designed to bring the practice of Yoga into the Physical Education arena. The use of Hatha Yoga postures, breathing techniques and relaxation/meditation techniques will make up the curriculum of the class. The Hath Yoga postures will develop the students physical strength and flexibility along with awareness of their body. The breathing techniques will teach the students how to control and use their breath to affect their bodies in given situations. The relaxation techniques will teach these students the skills to de stress and give them the time to "chill out", which in our current society, they rarely have. The meditation techniques will begin an inner dialogue with themselves and help them discover who they are and get in touch with what they think and feel. This will also be a space where they can discover and learn how to deal with emotions and outside influences in a positive way.

Yoga 101 for the academic classroom: This program is being developed to give the teachers tools to bring the students from "hallway mayhem" into the mode of being ready to learn. The use of simple Yoga postures, breathing techniques and mind clearing exercises will help the students be more productive learners. The Yoga postures will be simple and ones that can be performed by anyone within the confines of the classroom. The breathing techniques will slow the students autonomic nervous system bringing the body and mind to a present state of readiness. The mind clearing exercises will un clutter the mind so the student is in a focused state where they will be able to absorb, understand and articulate information that is to be presented.

If you have any questions or interest in either of these programs please contact YogaJen through the "contact" tab above.