SASKATOON – Yoga is a practice that has taken the world by storm. Now schools are catching on to the benefits it can bring to the classroom, putting yoga instructors in record demand.
One elementary school has taken it a step further with a ‘Yogi in Residence’ to work with students on a permanent basis.
“Breathe in, let’s reach up to the sky, deep breath in reach all the way up,” instructs Yogi Kristine Divall as she teaches a group of grade 5 and 6 students at Bishop Klein School.
She’s their new Yogi in Residence, a pilot program started by Saskatoon based Vinyasa Yoga for Youth.
“We wanted to see what would happen if they had exposure to yoga over a longer period of time so the idea is I’m here for three years so I get to work with the same kids, following them in grade 4, 5 and 6 as they move up,” said Divall.
Students practice yoga for one hour every Wednesday as part of the physical education curriculum.
It’s been known to help students relax and better concentrate, leading to higher learning outcomes and on top of that it teaches respect and tolerance for one another.
“Students are able to use the tools that they learn in yoga to help self regulate their emotional, physical and mental states when they’re in the class, when they’re learning,” said Divall.
Principal Kent Gauthier says it’s a bit different to his day but it’s certainly innovative.
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“I guess we look at it mind, body, spirit, so the outcomes we would like are academic, spiritual as we are a catholic school and healthier living,” he said.
“The kids seem to be in a little bit of a better space after having some time in a quiet, calm environment and getting a chance to move their bodies in a different way than a traditional gym class,” he added.
And the kids seem to love it.
“It makes me feel relaxed, my body is all relaxed and I just feel focused after yoga,” said student, Sherein Laso.
“I feel good because if you’re stressed or worried or whatever you kind of just clear that up after yoga.” said classmate, Danica Miskolzie.
Divall says demand for yoga instructors in schools is at an all time high and they’re hoping to have a Yogi in Residence in at least five schools in the next three years.
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