A few years ago, yoga and Pilates were strength-training programs offered to Hamilton-Wenham students as electives. Now, that same program is called Yoga and mindfulness. So, what changed? Is it simply a new vision, or is there more behind the subtle switch?
Pilates is a strength training program that focuses a lot on building core strength while incorporating the whole body. Yoga, on the other hand, focuses on your body’s balance and flexibility. However, Yoga was a huge influence in the creation of Pilates.
The Yoga/Pilates elective was a nice mix of strengthening exercises that improve balance and help students focus on the task at hand.
However, in the last few years, the wellness department has discussed this elective, and the decision to change the title of ‘Pilates’ to ‘Mindfulness’ was made.
Mr. Matthew Gauron, a Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School gym teacher, said, “COVID was a big influence.”
“We [the wellness department] felt that because of COVID, the mental state of kids was at an all-time low,” Gauron revealed. “Mindfulness was a way to work on improving this.”
So, the decision was made to change the ‘Pilates’ portion of the name to ‘Mindfulness’. The wellness department received feedback that mindfulness was also trending, and people were enjoying it more than Pilates since they weren’t faced with a relatively intense workout in the middle of their day.
Mr. James LaSelva, another one of the gym teachers at HWRHS, said, “Keep in mind that SEL, social motion learning, was also trending a couple of years ago of reaching out to kids. Scientifically, it’s been proven that mindfulness can help alleviate stress and anxiety and take kids to another place.”
The feedback from the students showed that kids were enjoying this class, and more were more likely to take this elective.
Amelia Lauredant, a freshman at HWRHS who is currently taking the class, said, “Yoga/Mindfulness is a very well-structured class in which you focus on different aspects of yoga throughout the week. We’re learning a lot about the importance of mindfulness, which we can use in our everyday lives.”
Additionally, Lauredant added that flexibility, or its absence, is not an issue for the class.
“We really have a lot of people in the class who aren’t flexible at all, and it’s really not focused on that,” she stated. “It is a way to move your body throughout the day, but kind of at a more low-stakes level. It is a good way for you to unwind and focus on your mindfulness, which you can practice throughout your other classes as well.”
Overall, ”I think for students, it has been a great way to unplug in the middle of the day, when no one is yelling at you, and you’re focusing on yourself. I think it’s quite amazing,” said LaSelva.
This change has benefited all students and attracted more attention to the elective.
