Exploring Yoga at Milton
By Molly O ‘Brien ‘26
If you have ever explored Milton’s intramural sports offerings, then you have probably heard of the fall yoga class. But what does yoga look like at Milton?
According to faculty instructor and Milton Academy math teacher Rebecca McCormick, the program, open exclusively to seniors, has existed at Milton for “at least seven or eight years.” McCormick began to instruct the class in the fall of 2021 after completing her 200-hour yoga teaching training program.
The class is taught every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoon from right after school to 5:00 pm while leaving students free to enjoy their Wednesdays. The class primarily meets outside by the quad, weather permitting, but otherwise, it can be found inside the RSG.
As one of the more convenient sports credit options, the yoga program draws many seniors, helping them stay calm and collected during one of the most stressful times in senior year. Mariana Dos Santos ‘25 said she chose to take the yoga class because she saw it “as an opportunity to spend time with fellow seniors while taking a break from the stress of senior year.” McCormick echoes Dos Santos's sentiment, saying that over the course of her time practicing yoga, she “discovered the deeper emotional and spiritual aspects.” For her, yoga “ became more than just a workout—it became a way for [her] to cultivate a sense of inner peace, even amidst life’s chaos.” It “taught [her] how to connect with [herself] on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level, transforming the way [she] approaches challenges both on and off the mat.”
A new study by researchers at the NYU School of Medicine revealed that yoga is the most effective method of treating anxiety when compared to traditional stress management strategies. Similarly, the NHI reports that after only one month of yoga exercise, participants became measurably happier.
Not only is yoga a good stress reliever, it also serves as a mode of exercise. At Milton, the yoga class counts as a physical education requirement under the athletic department. Safina Abramova ‘25 said that she chose to take fall yoga because she had practiced various types of yoga prior to the class and realized that it “helps [her] muscles recover faster if [she’s] doing any kind of strength training workout.” Off-season athletes who spend time doing strength training and conditioning might benefit from the yoga program because it can help them build muscles and get stronger for their sport. According to Ekhart Yoga, “When we practice yoga poses we involve the whole body, rather than trying to isolate specific muscles – like when using fixed gym machines.” They continue that, during yoga, “we recruit other muscle groups to act as stabilizers, as well as the muscles where the main action takes place.”
McCormick said that she appreciates having the ability to teach the fall yoga class and that in her teachings, she “strives to create a supportive environment where students can explore their practice without pressure or judgment.” She goes on to say that her hope by teaching yoga at Milton is that she can “introduce students to the profound benefits of yoga- helping them find their own balance, strength, and inner peace.”