Every Thursday during the second part of Falcon Hour, students meet in teacher Anna Maki-Birchler’s classroom to practice breathing exercises, balance and yoga poses.

“We usually start by lying down and focusing on our breathing to get our bodies relaxed,” said senior Ashley Sykora. “Then for the rest of the time we stand up and do simple stretches and basic yoga moves.”

Maki-Birchler said that she saw a need for students to de-stress during the school day. She would tell students to quiet their minds before giving oral presentations, and then took that and added “asana,” movements and poses. Her classroom follows the mantra by an unknown author that says, “Peace: it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”

“It’s for the kids to be able to quiet the noise that surrounds their brain and their body,” said Maki-Birchler. “They do feel relaxed when they leave and they feel that stress dripping off.”

According to Maki-Birchler, the students turn off their phones and connect with higher intuition- with who they are and with creativity.

Sykora likes to go to yoga club so that she can take a break from the stress of school.

“School is stressful and going to yoga club is a quick and easy way to relax and rejuvenate yourself during the week,” said Sykora.

Senior Joseph Bodenheimer said when he goes to yoga club his favorite pose to do is the mountain.

Maki-Birchler said that yoga club is open to any students, whether or not they have yoga experience and that students don’t need to be athletic to attend and relax through yoga.

“We offer a little piece of peace,” said Maki-Birchler.