This year, Mrs.Yousefzadeh, an English teacher, and Mrs. Cannon, a parent of an 11^th grade student, formed a yoga club for students of all ages and genders to participate in. This club is held every Monday from 4:15-5:15 in room L309, and is taught by Mrs. Cannon with the assistance of Mrs. Yousefzadeh.

Mrs. Cannon has been a fitness trainer for the past 27 years, and has been practicing yoga for 14 years. She began teaching yoga six years ago, and believes that, “Yoga has many different benefits. It can physically help you to strengthen your body with low impact, causing no harm if done correctly. That’s why it’s so famously done by many athletes at the adult and teenage level. Many of their leg, back, or other ligament pains can be reduced. Mentally, it teaches the yogi how to have conscious breathing which allows to body to relax, meditate, and release any tension in the mind.”

The main purpose of this club is to allow students to participate in a healthy release of energy. Cannon stated, “I’ve seen many kids under stress at school. And as a mother of a teenage daughter and a substitute teacher, I realized that bringing yoga to Dominion would help not only their mind, but also their body. Yoga is the best way to not only strengthen your body but also to reduce stress.”

During yoga club, students warm up, safely practice a variety of yoga and pilates movements, and stretch all while listening to music. Students are encouraged to bring a yoga mat, wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in, and come in with a commitment to work hard.

Mrs. Cannon is experienced in working with athletes, people with injuries, and people of all ages. She stated, “As a fitness trainer, I’ve needed to learn about every type of exercise and understand its health benefits. But no matter what client I’m talking to, yoga is the one method of exercise I feel most passionately about because it brings something special to the table that none of the other exercises have.

If you’re looking to join a club or engage in physical fitness training, bring a friend with you and come try yoga club, held Mondays after school in room L309.