“Take your passion and make it happen” are lyrics from the song Flashdance. As corny as it sounds, it’s those lyrics that continue to drive my PE curriculum forward. Fourteen years ago I introduced yoga into a cross-training class. The students embraced the activity so much they asked me to develop a class. The following year it became a semester-long elective course and a few years later became a year long elective course. My students have been involved in the development and direction of this course from the beginning, embracing the content fully. So, let me take you on a journey. If you use your imagination you’ll see it through the eyes of my students. Hopefully, you can begin to understand how my students truly connect with themselves; body, mind, and spirit.

The first quarter builds the foundation. My yoga classroom is a kaleidoscope of diversity. All are welcome and encouraged. We begin by learning the basic skills. Yoga “boot camp” teaches breathing basics, sun salutations (a standard yoga warm-up recognized world-wide), how to use a heart rate monitor, equipment care, and more. Students learn the class expectations and how to work as a team. Each class begins with baby steps, physically and mentally, intended to create a safe, efficient, and fun classroom for all.

Through the physical skills of yoga the students begin their journey of self-discovery. Students discover their strengths and recognize their weaknesses while a non-competitive atmosphere is encouraged. This might sound easy enough, but if a student believes, “I’m not strong,” “I’ve never been athletic,” “I can’t…” or is too busy comparing themselves to others it becomes hard. This is where their self- journey (or personal assignment) begins. Others will have the physical strength but lack the mental discipline or endurance to be conscious of their body positioning and breathing patterns and their journey begins here. Through reflection and goal setting the foundation is set for a uniquely personal experiential experience. I emphasize to my students that what your mind believes you can do and what your body says it can do are often two different things: The goal is to reach a level of confidence to believe you CAN do it.

“Take your passion and make it happen” are lyrics from the song Flashdance. As corny as it sounds, it’s those lyrics that continue to drive my PE curriculum forward. Fourteen years ago I introduced yoga into a cross-training class. The students embraced the activity so much they asked me to develop a class. The following year it became a semester-long elective course and a few years later became a year long elective course. My students have been involved in the development and direction of this course from the beginning, embracing the content fully. So, let me take you on a journey. If you use your imagination you’ll see it through the eyes of my students. Hopefully, you can begin to understand how my students truly connect with themselves; body, mind, and spirit.

The first quarter builds the foundation. My yoga classroom is a kaleidoscope of diversity. All are welcome and encouraged. We begin by learning the basic skills. Yoga “boot camp” teaches breathing basics, sun salutations (a standard yoga warm-up recognized world-wide), how to use a heart rate monitor, equipment care, and more. Students learn the class expectations and how to work as a team. Each class begins with baby steps, physically and mentally, intended to create a safe, efficient, and fun classroom for all.

Through the physical skills of yoga the students begin their journey of self-discovery. Students discover their strengths and recognize their weaknesses while a non-competitive atmosphere is encouraged. This might sound easy enough, but if a student believes, “I’m not strong,” “I’ve never been athletic,” “I can’t…” or is too busy comparing themselves to others it becomes hard. This is where their self- journey (or personal assignment) begins. Others will have the physical strength but lack the mental discipline or endurance to be conscious of their body positioning and breathing patterns and their journey begins here. Through reflection and goal setting the foundation is set for a uniquely personal experiential experience. I emphasize to my students that what your mind believes you can do and what your body says it can do are often two different things: The goal is to reach a level of confidence to believe you CAN do it.