Cardinal Staff Gets in the Flow with Yoga

posted April 15, 2021

As part of Project Spark, Cardinal Community School District holds weekly yoga classes after school on Wednesdays for their staff members. The classes are meant to provide an outlet for the Comet team to let go of stress and practice wellness both mentally and physically. 

"Mentally,  yoga enhances your mood and it also helps calm your stresses," says Sarah Eakins, Cardinal's elementary and middle school art teacher. "Physically, yoga stretches your muscles, makes you stronger, and makes you more flexible."

The classes are led by Elementary Principal Heather Buckley who leads the class in vinyasa flows (a style of yoga that transitions between poses smoothly and synchronizes movement with breathing). 

"I’m hopeful that with each session our staff can take a moment dedicated to themselves," Mrs. Buckley shares. "Most importantly, I want them to feel less stressed and relaxed."

Mrs. Buckley and Mrs. Eakins both practiced yoga before classes began at Cardinal. They're well-versed in the practice's health benefits and how it improves their own mental and physical wellbeing. 

"Yoga calms me," Mrs. Eakins says. "It makes me feel strong. Yoga helps me focus and just feel better about myself."

Mrs. Buckley has experienced the same benefits and loves that she can now share them with her team members. Educators, in particular, she finds are in need of practices like yoga to decompress after high energy days focused on meeting the needs of others.

"Our staff dedicates their energies to our students each day, " Mrs. Buckley says. "They work so hard to ensure our student's needs are met academically, socially and emotionally and with that comes stress."

She hopes that her team members feel stress release during and after each session. Judging by the number of staff members regularly attending the classes, Mrs. Buckley is achieving her goal.

"Our staff members keep coming back," Mrs. Eakins says. "They love the ambiance of dimmed lights, candles, and string lights."

The weekly sessions consist of a quiet, calming atmosphere with breathing exercises, stretches, and time to reflect and let the day's troubles melt away. 

Mrs. Buckley and Mrs. Eakins encourage any staff members curious about the class to join them.

"It’s a practice that can be done at any age and I love that it provides a variety of exercises that builds strength and flexibility," Mrs. Buckley says. "There are stretches and exercise fitting for everyone and you do not need to be extremely flexible to participate."

Those new to the practice can rest assured that the class provides a supportive environment to try it out.

"If you are wanting to participate in yoga, I recommend you come to class with an open mind and stretchy pants," Mrs. Eakins adds. "If you are nervous, just try it and see if you like it."