West Bloomfield High Schoolers Benefiting from Yoga in the Classroom

As midterm exams have historically shown West Bloomfield High School students what it really means to be stressed out, teacher Molly Marshall saw a learning opportunity.

Marshall, a yoga instructor with over a decade of experience teaching the popular exercise alternative, led a small yoga class of students on Tuesday at the high school. As it is believed to be the first of its type of after-school activities offered, Marshall said that students had a chasm between experienced yogis and beginners.

Ultimately, Marshall added, the plan is to help current students create good work habits while exercising away stress from school, work and social situations.

"As a teacher, you see so many kids stressed out and think, 'we haven't taught them how to deal with it yet,'" Marshall said after class. "You hear so many times that people don't tend to our stressors until something gets serious and we're trying to break that habit before it starts in the kids."

Britney Birr, a junior who attended the class, said that while she "just doesn't get nervous during finals," that her participation offered its own reward in continuing her education.

"I've been a dancer for more than 10 years, but since I started doing yoga with my sister last summer, but I've really enjoyed it," Birr said. "It's interesting for me to hear from a new instructor."

Midterms at the high school will take place next week, between Jan. 22-24.