E X P R E S S I V E A R T S .

When I was asked by Goondiwindni High School to come and teach their students yoga through ‘Expressive Arts Week’ I jumped at the chance. I am a strong believer in giving young people opportunities, chances to try something different and to discover a love or a talent they may have never known they possessed.

After day one i was already totally blow away. Firstly by the fact that ‘expressive arts week’ is even a THING, not only that but it is in its 20th year! I’m so impressed with the opening parade, the dancing, singing, dramatics oh and the teachers - absolutely brilliant efforts from all the teaching staff’s performances.

Now let me get onto the yoga. You never know how teenagers will respond to things especially when it comes to the body & moving the body, but I have never been so impressed. Starting off with a special needs class these kids were unbelievable, they seriously nailed it, so much so that some came back for more at lunch time! A fabulous group signed up for the recess class, a nice mix of girls and boys, infact we had more boys which was excellent to see. Period 3 gracefully moving together, 30 year 12s who were a real joy, a great laugh and I think pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoyed yoga.

For me it is important for teenagers to to have a release from the hectic academic system, competitive sporting arenas and claustrophobic online worlds, to be IN THE MOMENT, present with nothing but themselves listening and learning how their body feels and moves. This is a time of change and growth and incorporating yoga at this time of life is the perfect way to develop emotionally and physically stronger. But it wasnt just the students that took the opportunity to RELAX, RELEASE & RECONNECT, I took an after school teachers practice too, beacuse teachers are basically super heroes and they too need some down (ward dog) time.