So I left work feeling unusually calm and energized at the end of a long day, almost like I was floating as I walked past the basketball courts and into my car. Why? Because I had just finished 75 minutes of yoga with a professional teacher and eight of my colleagues in a classroom! Yes, that’s fact. My school is now offering a free yoga class every week to faculty and staff. The art teacher at my school suggested it, polled the staff for interest, and my principal listened and set it up! The next thing I know, I’m doing yoga in the Spanish room after school!
It was a truly novel experience–a total departure from any normal school/work experience. Kids were all gone, the classroom had been swept, and we pushed all the desks against the wall. I was facing windows that look out onto a beautiful Brooklyn skyline, and it was still light out (Thank you, daylight savings.)
You may be thinking, who wants to do yoga at work with colleagues? The truth is, I really enjoy practicing yoga, but often don’t prioritize it as I move through my week. This really eliminated all of the logistics of it, and I have colleagues to remind and encourage me to go.
Although this was my first class at my school, I’m sure there will be benefit of this is are going to be noticeable. I wouldn’t quite call it professional development, but free yoga is a real contribution to working conditions, which are notoriously difficult for teachers. And mental, physical and emotional strength are actually very important for successful teaching. Yoga is one way to build and support those things.
I know yoga isn’t for everyone, but I’m very happy about this. If your school offered it, would you go? If you are a school leader, can you imagine this being a good investment in the working conditions for your staff? [image credit: cuppajolie.blogspot.com]
Share this post:
Author
Ariel Sacks
Ariel Sacks began her 13-year teaching career in New York City public schools after earning her master’s degree at Bank Street College and has taught and coached in grades 7-9. She is the author of Whole Novels for the Whole Class: A Student Centered Approach (Jossey-Bass, 2014) and writes a teaching column for Education Week Teacher.
Ariel’s work as a teacher leader with the Center for Teaching Quality involved her in co-authoring Teaching 2030: What We Must Do For Our Public Schools – Now and in the Future. She was also featured in the CTQ book Teacherpreneurs: Innovative Teachers Who Lead Without Leaving.
She is currently working on a book about the role of creative writing in equitable, 21st century schools, and she speaks and leads workshops on the whole novels approach.
Related Posts
September 13, 2021
Pause, ponder, then plan:
Cultivating Communities of Impact
February 23, 2021