![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and its played such a major role in who Ive become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something Im [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala (21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“Im not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
Yoga’s benefits make it a popular exercise and relaxation method
Wikimedia Commons
Although it is mainly known for its therapeutic and meditative benefits, yoga can help loosen the body, increase flexibility and strengthen various muscles.
The ancient Indian practice of yoga has become more popular more popular with athletes in recent years.
Although it is mainly known for its therapeutic and meditative benefits, yoga can help loosen the body, increase flexibility and strengthen various muscles. For athletes, the forward-bending posture in combination with warrior pose, a deep-seated lunge, can help loosen the hamstrings and calf muscles. Side-bending postures can also help open up the lateral sides of the body, which do not get much stretching on a daily basis.
Different styles of yoga can also have contrasting effects. Bikram Yoga, which emphasizes performing yoga postures in a heated room, can help with weight loss and muscle loosening. Another type of yoga, the Iyengar style, focuses on flexibility and physical extension of the body.
Ashwini Surpur, who is a certified yoga teacher in the Bay Area and directs yoga therapy at the local yoga non-profit Yoga Bharati, believes that yoga practice can help athletes improve in their respective sports.
“Yoga helps [athletes] be flexible, hence reducing the chances of sports injuries and wear and tear related problems with overuse of joints,” Surpur said. “Yoga involve[s] breathing and mindfulness that gives them a way to relax better, faster and to keep themselves free from the stress and anxiety of sports competition[s]. Mindfulness also helps them to focus better and play with [a] relaxed mind which is the key to success in any activity including sports.”
Surpur recommends the practice of Sun Salutations, a dynamic series of 10 or 12 flowing postures, to improve flexibility. She also believes poses such as triangle pose, rotated triangle pose and warrior pose, when done in a rapid fashion, can help loosen the body.
Many students agree with Surpur and believe that yoga can have a beneficial physical effect.
“I think yoga can definitely help strengthen your body and prevent injury,” Katy Sanchez (12) said.
Currently, there are yoga classes being offered after school each semester.
Vedant Thyagaraj is the Science & Technology Editor for Harker Aquila. He is currently a senior and has been on staff for the past three years. Vedant...
