Ms. Cash's Yes Prep Yoga Class
Yoga: A four letter word that has many
different meanings and connotations for everyone. The Merriam Webster dictionary says that yoga is “a system of exercises
for mental and physical help.” This definition does not do yoga justice,
especially in terms of my personal experience with the practice and everything
it has provided me.
The reason I started practicing yoga was purely out of curiosity. I saw Mr. Houston teaching a class and I was in awe and fearful at the same time. Given my experience in dance and gymnastics, I figured that I would be able to do yoga, but I never considered that it was anything more than just stretching.
The gift of chaos within my class schedules allowed me the
chance to actually take this elective yoga class. I admit that I was initially reluctant
because I preferred to enroll in dance or something else, but I needed a PE
credit and yoga was my only option. While our class is packed now, there were
only five students on that first day.
Just as soon as Ms. Cash started preaching about the Four Agreements,
I was hooked. I tried everything in my power to keep the school from changing
my schedule, and lucky for me they didn't!
I have come to realize that, as people in a constant moving society, we
never get the chance to really stop and just feel the stillness. The hypnotic sensation of air
coming through my nostrils was (and is) pure and utter bliss. This amazing
sensation was something I was totally unaware of. I am a very hyperactive
person and I rarely had a chance to intentionally be forced to sit and breathe.
My everyday routine used to mean I was always on the run. And,
as a high schooler, I juggle multiple commitments: my classes, dance, and my desire
to truly define myself. This constant juggling act created a lot of stress
throughout the years, which eventually caused me to develop frequent panic
attacks starting in the 8th grade.
I haven’t had one single panic
attack this year, which really surprises me, and leads me to correlate yoga with
the sudden extinction of my episodes. The Four Agreements were somewhat an emphasis of what I
have already believed in. I just could not really put these ideas into words. I
used to carry around baggage that really held me back from realizing my true
identity. Now, as a junior in high school, I’m beginning to understand who I REALLY am. Through our class sets of Four
Agreements meditations, I came to realize the true colors and hues of Amy
Garcia.
This eureka moment lifted a heavy confusion on my
shoulders. I accept
my flaws, my circumstances, my upbringing, my quirks, and, most of all, my
body. I ponder everyday how majestic a body is. It does us so much good, yet we
hurt it and poison it and deprive it. I learned to appreciate my body and all that it does for me,
rather than all the things it does not do for me or how I want it to look.
Body image should not be created based on social media and pop culture,
but rather the inward gratitude it deserves. I acknowledge that I am still working on this idea. I also
acknowledge that I have reached a greater sense of confidence beyond my bubbly
personality.
I do plan on doing yoga for many, many more years, and I am
forever grateful that Ms. Cash and Mr. Houston brought yoga to Yes Prep through
In-Powered. As I reflect back on my junior year, I’m so grateful that this
class was here for me. I have had
the chance to meet great, genuine people through the class. More than that…I
had the chance to meet my truest self! I’m pretty sure a P.E. class couldn’t have facilitated this
type of change in me.
Namaste.
Amy, Yes Prep - North Central High School Yogini
