Two Ossining Schools to Offer Morning Yoga for Students

Dozens of children at Claremont and Roosevelt schools will start their mornings learning downward facing dog, warrior and cat poses as part of a new yoga program funded by the Ossining MATTERS Education Foundation.

The two schools will have three sessions of 10 weeks each this school year, starting Sept. 26. Families gathered at Roosevelt Sept. 8 to learn more about the program, meet instructor Kendra Rossney and practice a few poses.

“We’re really excited about this yoga program,” said Kate Mathews, Claremont principal, who plans to attend the classes at her school. “There have been a lot of studies that show yoga has a positive impact on focus in children.”

Other benefits of yoga for children include helping them become attuned to their bodies, learn about themselves, and calm themselves when they are frustrated or agitated, Ms. Mathews said. The hope is that they will be able to transfer those skills into the classroom. Children who attend before-school programs typically have excellent attendance, she said.

“We want to get kids ready for school and eager to start the day on time,” she added.

Roosevelt Principal Stephen Hancock said research has shown that students who are physically active in the morning are more focused during the school day. The yoga classes also further the district’s mission of educating the whole child, he said.

“Yoga is one of those exercise programs that has yielded good results and will really be powerful for our students,” said Mr. Hancock, who also plans to join the classes.

Ms. Rossney, a district parent and owner of Dragonfly Wellness Yoga Studio in Ossining, will teach the free classes. Students can sign up for one or two classes a week. They run for 35 minutes before school starts. The Ossining MATTERS grant also includes funding to provide each student with a yoga mat.

Ms. Rossney’s goals for students include helping them identify how they are feeling and how their actions can help shape their emotional environment, as well as providing them with some tools to self-soothe and focus on the positive around and within them. The course will help students build self-esteem and teamwork, and practice kindness through yoga.

“Kendra has such a positive energy to her that I really think it’s going to be contagious,” Mr. Hancock said.

The classes will run from 8:15-8:50 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Claremont and Mondays and Wednesdays at Roosevelt.

For more information, contact the main office at the schools. The number for Claremont is 914-762-5830, and 914-762-2682 for Roosevelt.