Audrey Williams
Staff Writer
Amanda Cross lives a double life at Costa, running around instructing girl’s soccer and lacrosse as well as teaching the relaxing yet academic yoga program, previously taught by Theresa Towers.
Cross has worked as a substitute in the district for many years. Because she not only enjoys teaching yoga, but also believes spreading the importance of physical fitness, as soon as it became available, Cross decided to apply for it
“I have always been a big believer in the importance of physical fitness and the benefits it can have on one’s health and well being,” Cross said. “After being a collegiate athlete, I began broadening my horizons by finding other forms of physical fitness that weren’t as strenuous to keep me healthy and active.”
Because Towers had a different method of teaching yoga, many students were introduced to a new way of taking yoga PE at Costa. Towers had more of a relaxing view while Cross has a goal in mind to teach students not only the academic parts of yoga, but strategies for students and need for attribution to their futures.
“At first I didn’t expect the class to be so hard but eventually I got used to it,” junior Rubie Amaya said. “ Overall I really like the class. She trains not only our bodies but our minds and informs us on what we need to know about different types of yoga and what they do for your muscles”
Yoga is available to take as a P.E. credit from sophomore to senior year. According to Cross, her main focus is making the most out of the class and encouraging students to take what they learn in the class and apply it to their daily lives.
“My goal is for students to apply these strategies I teach them in class for a healthy and active lifestyle,” Cross said. “High levels of stress and obesity have become an epidemic for the American population as a whole. My goal is to supply students with knowledge so they can make an informed decision on how to achieve a healthy lifestyle.”
Gaiam, a fitness brand, claims that yoga provides people with a lasting transformation by improving their strength, flexibility, and reducing stress. Taking yoga decreases the pains and aches in the body.
“There is a lot of opportunity to introduce the students to skills such as mindfulness, meditation, breathing, and relaxation techniques which are beneficial to reducing stress, something all high school students experience,” Cross said. “It is rewarding to see the students apply these new skills into the rest of their life.”
Cross and Towers have different philosophies, and students have responded differently to the chanve in teachers. According to most students, Cross’s style of teaching has opened the door to a wider perspective on yoga.
“Our teaching methods are different from one another, just like every math and science teacher has different methods,” Cross said. “My philosophy on teaching is to give every student a good basis of knowledge and experience with yoga and physical fitness.”
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