Mill Pond Students Find Their Inner Light

Sixth grade students started their school day in complete serenity as they learned how to inhale and exhale through a yoga class as part of their ancient South Asian curriculum.

“This is our second year doing this,” social studies teacher Susan Adams said. “This is an extension activity taking the ancient practice of yoga and incorporating it into modern day.”

The sixth grade recently completed their South Asian unit in ancient civilization, she said. A focus of the curriculum is the study of yoga and the religion of Hinduism.

“With each unit, we always try to bring in art or another way to engage them other than just using the books,” Adams said. “It gives them an appreciation for it and makes it more exciting.”

Mary Flynn, a registered yoga teacher and special education teacher, walked the students through a yoga class.

“I love coming here for the students and the teachers,” Flynn said. “There’s something very special here.”

Flynn explained to the students that yoga is about trust, communication, respect and balance. The purpose of the practice is to “relax for more clarity” and to “get rid of monkey brain.”

The students sat in silence for approximately 60 minutes stretching their arms and contouring their bodies into different positions.

“There was so much respect here,” Flynn said. “We had a true yoga class today.”

One student thanked Flynn for the class and said, “It was truly a wonderful experience.”

When the students learned about ancient Asian civilization, they were taught that Hindus believe they have a light within themselves, student Kayla Vaccaro said.

“I like that it was fulfilling, peaceful and quiet,” she said. “I felt like I really found my inner light.”