A group of girls sit cross-legged in a circle, close their eyes, and collectively take a deep breath in. Sophomores Jessi Ponce Sanchez, Haruna Watanabe, Maya Yamaguchi, and senior Elsa Feng form OVS’ new yoga program.
During certain sport seasons at Ojai Valley School, students occasionally feel limited by the available sports options and desire a new addition to the program. This year, five girls in this situation worked hard to introduce a yoga program.
The idea of adding yoga to the sports program was not approved right away. In previous years, it was thought that students in a sport without a coach would not use their time as productively as they would with one. However, the girls reached a compromise with Hank Pankratz, where the yoga program would be allowed to exist as a combination with the weight room program.
“They came to me with a new idea and I gave them the opportunity to give it a go and it seems like it’s been working out well,” said Mr. Pankratz. “It’s been good to see our students be able to take charge in what they wish to do.”
This has given a particular group of girls the opportunity to do a sport that they enjoy, when none of the school offerings inspired or interested them.
“I don’t see it becoming its own individual sport apart from the weight room because it’s a difficult sport to [supervise],” explained Mr. Pankratz.
For Haruna, the sport has provided a fun way to exercise, as well as something that can be improved upon each day at practice.
“The reason why we wanted to add yoga to the sports program,” said Haruna, “is because it is good for mental health, better flexibility, proper breathing, as well as being meditative to get rid of stress.” Haruna played an important role in the effort to introduce the program.
Overall, the addition of the yoga program this year has been one that is beneficial to students who may not find interest in the other sports offered. Thanks to a group of motivated students, the yoga program at OVS is up and running.