There’s aerial yoga in Mashpee, Bikram yoga in West Barnstable, and even yoga for teens in Centerville. Something’s definitely going on. Yoga‘s growth can be seen all over the place; companies like Lululemon sell clothing to those who don’t even practice, and influential celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Michelle Williams, and Gwyneth Paltrow rave about the wonders yoga does for both mind and body.

Yoga actually dates back thousands of years. It’s not necessarily meant to be a workout, but instead both a physical and mental rejuvenation. Yoga’s benefits are numerous, and can include improved blood circulation, muscle toning, decreased blood pressure, and a strengthened immune system. Unlike some forms of exercise, yoga can be tailored to all body types and ages, another reason it can be popular among a wide range of people.

Yoga has been an integral part of BHS senior Maddy Childs’ life. After starting sophomore year, she went through  a rigorous 200-hour training to become a certified teacher.

“They were really long weekends. It was tough; it was all day, and you had to sit for hours and take what you could from it,” said Childs. “But, it was worth it.”

Childs teaches her teen class at Centerville Yoga and Wellness Center, where BHS Nurse Kathy Vendola also takes an adult class organized for school staff.

“I had done different types of exercise, but nothing that directly exercised my mind and well being. I can feel the benefits immediately,” said Vendola. “I feel it’s a great stress reducer and core strengthener.”

Vendola was encouraged to try yoga by her daughter, who has loved yoga for years. Around the time her daughter gave her gift card to Centerville Yoga and Wellness Center, the staff class began. “It was perfect timing,” said Vendola.

Childs also believes that teaching and participating in class are two wholly different situations.

“In class, you’re relaxing, not worrying as much about if you’re doing something right. You’re in the moment.

Teaching is definitely different, because you’re concerned with what’s next and more aware of any mistakes you could make. But, it’s very validating,” said Childs.

Mrs. Karen Gauthier, House E Counselor, first attended a yoga class when she wanted to try something new for herself.

“It was a little hard to relax at first. I was anxious and curious about what would come next,” said Gauthier. “We don’t get a lot of times in our lives where you can sit in a room in total quiet.”

Childs’ yoga class, which is on Fridays at 3 p.m., is usually full of Barnstable High School students. Junior Madison Harrington recently attended her second yoga class taught by Childs.

“I went for the first time this summer. I was bored and thought it would be a good way to take up an afternoon, but ended up liking it more than I anticipated. It’s so calming you almost lose track of time,” Harrington said.

Adults new to the practice feels similarly. “You have to have the mindset that you’re learning to practice it [yoga], not ‘taking it,’” said Vendola. “You can never perfect it.”