Yoga program promotes wellness on MCVTS Perth Amboy Campus

Yoga program promotes wellness on MCVTS Perth Amboy Campus

Yoga is coming to students and staff on the Perth Amboy Campus of the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools.

The yoga program is being funded by Sustainable Jersey for Schools and the state Department of Health. MCVTS has partnered with Balance Yoga in Perth Amboy to provide mats, a wall graphic depicting yoga poses, healthy snacks, and before- and after-school yoga sessions.

A yoga demonstration on Feb. 22 was attended by 250 students, teachers and staff members.

Yoga sessions will be held Thursdays at 7:45 a.m. for students and on Tuesdays at 3:50 p.m. for teachers beginning this month.

Dr. Tracey Maccia, MCVTS director of special education, wrote the grant proposal based on research suggesting that school-based yoga cultivates mind-body awareness, self-regulation, and physical fitness.

“These competencies may lead to improvements in students’ behavior, mental state, health, and performance, as well as teacher resilience, effectiveness and overall classroom climate,” she said.