Around school lately, there’s been much buzz about a new activity: yoga.
Once a week, during March Wellness Month, students filled up the new health and wellness center to take part in a yoga class taught by Spanish teacher Mrs. Kearns. Students, both regular yogis and those new to the exercise, have been raving about this yoga experience and the woman behind it.
14 years ago, while living in NYC, Mrs. Kearns was looking to take on her exercise routine from a new angle. After one yoga session, she was hooked. “I fell in love right away,” she said, and inconsistently ventured to different classes throughout the years.
While she was on her two-year maternity leave, raising her twin boys, Mrs. Kearns delved further into her yoga journey by taking a Yoga Teacher training course. She began studying yoga, it’s history and philosophies. During this time, she consistently practiced both at home with her kids and during her travels to Australia and Brazil. She was inspired. “Every step was a new discovery, a new experience.”
Yoga didn’t become overly prominent in her life until she became pregnant with her twins in 2008. When she found out she was expecting, and began doing yoga regularly, Mrs. Kearns had an epiphany. “I realized how yoga really made me more aware and accepting of my body and mind in the present moment as it. I became more connected to myself, and to my babies.”
During a pregnancy, it is important for a woman to be in touch with herself, to cope with all of the changes she is going through. Yoga helped Mrs. Kearns do that. “By learning to listen with compassion to our body and mind speak to each other, all while breathing effectively, we learn to make conscious choices along the way. Then, all of a sudden, we find ourselves doing these pretty cool poses we never dreamed of doing.”
Other than greatly aiding her during her pregnancy, Mrs. Kearns realized that yoga helps people deal with all of the anticipation in our every day lives. She has taught classes to all types of people: new moms, kids, teens, and adults of all ages. “I feel like this is an unending and wonderful journey of exploration,” she said. “Instead of telling my students what to do and where to go, I focus on asking them where they want to go, and help them pack well for their life journey.”
With the help of the director of Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts and a psychologist, Mrs. Kearns has developed a class designed specially for teenagers. Aware of the insecurities that many teens face today, she is determined to help teens cope with pressure to fit in, their packed schedules, and the fear of unknown futures. “In my teen class, we learn breathing techniques and how to focus, and laugh while getting a really good and relaxing workout, toning pretty much every muscle of the body.
For those who’ve been inspired, and want to get a taste of what Mrs. Kearns is talking about, look into attending her class at Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts on Tuesdays from 5 to 6. ALL are welcome! Next year, she is hoping to get a Yoga Club started.
For more information, go to www.hamptonsyogahealingarts.com or drop by and ask her about it in room 224.
