Delta Explorer - Spring 2008 - (Page 20) even kids experience the benefits of yoga My name is Charlotte Paige McAfee and I am in the fifth grade. I go to Riverview Middle School and I am 10 years old. Some of my hobbies are playing soccer, doing yoga (of course), singing, swimming, playing tether ball and art. I have been doing yoga for 2 years, soccer for 4 years and swimming for 2 years. When I first started yoga in the 4th grade, I wasn’t so good at some poses; but Mrs. Trujillo, who was teaching yoga, really helped me learn. She inspired me to keep trying, but don’t hurt myself and if I couldn’t stretch far enough she told me to go as far as I could. Then at each yoga session, I tried a little harder, stretched a little further and became tons more enthusiastic about yoga. My favorite pose at that time was Arrow because it made me feel strong. Though that is not my favorite pose now, I still enjoy it. As I did yoga I completely let go of everything troubling or discouraging in my mind. After a day’s hard work, yoga was a good thing to look forward to. Now I am in the fifth grade and I love yoga more than ever. I didn’t know we would even do yoga in the fifth grade. I am now more flexible with my body and mind all thanks to Mrs. Trujillo, who still inspires me to do my best. Now my favorite poses are elevator and double dog because they remind me how much more balanced and flexible I have become. I do yoga every Monday and I always love it. I hope she keeps on teaching so she can inspire many more people. CHARLIE (Charlotte’s Nickname): YOU TEACH YOGA? WHY DO JUNIOR WRITER Charlotte McAfee Charlotte McAfee and her little sister, Cameron, incorporate the “Downward-Facing Dog” pose into their yoga session (above). Charlie and Cameron demonstrate the “Warrior” pose (below). it when the boys realize it’s not as easy as it looks and that it’s a cool thing to do.” CHARLIE: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING? Tammy: “I teach yoga because I wanted to share the benefits of yoga with people and I thought it would be great to do something I love doing myself. I really believe in the benefits of a healthy body and a peaceful mind and I want to share this with as many people as I can. CHARLIE: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Tammy: “I’ve been teaching yoga for nearly eight years now. I started practicing almost twenty years ago.” CHARLIE: MENT? which includes the Chief of Police, the school nurse, a bay area business executive, the director of the California Immunization Coalition, a community leader from Trilogy and a local secretary.” CHARLIE: WHAT IS YOGA ED? WHAT IS CENTER OF MOVE- Tammy: “I love watching you and your friends and all of my students grow and discover things about themselves. And I just love Tammy: “Center of Movement is a non-profit I started about 6 years ago. It’s simply a business I put together that allows us to teach people that can’t always pay for it. By becoming what is called a 501(c) (3) non-profit, it allows us to receive tax-deductible donations so we can teach classes like the one you take at Riverview. Besides myself, Jenna Maggard, Lacey Douglas and a few others, there’s also a board of directors Tammy: “Well, Yoga ED is a program designed just for kids (k-12) that meets state and national PE standards. That’s what’s so great about it really – everyone recognizes that this program helps kids get physically fit. For the past two summers I’ve traveled to Chicago and Los Angeles to attend week-long Yoga ED training workshops. I’m a certified Yoga ED instructor.” CHARLIE: DOES THE SCHOOL PAY YOU? Tammy: “No. Someday that might change but until then we rely on donations from people and businesses in our community. We’re always looking for ways to raise money but I mostly volunteer my time.” CHARLIE: DO YOU STILL WANT TO TEACH WHEN YOUR KIDS GRADUATE? Tammy: “All over the place! Let’s see… besides here at Riverview, I’m still teaching three days a week at White Elementary where you and your friends started and if we can get the funding, we want to make it available to the kids up at the high school too. I teach three early morning classes each week at Trilogy and I travel to Napa each week where I run the New Beginnings Teen Parenting Program. That’s a program I also really believe in because it gives young mothers a chance to make better decisions and gives them a chance to better their lives. That’s what it’s really about for me, Charlie, sharing the things I’ve learned so others can improve their lives. Most people don’t know I also have studio in downtown Rio Vista and in the winter I teach in LaVentana, Mexico. I’ve also taught classes at San Mateo Juvenile Hall, a drug treatment program in Berkeley, and at studios in Berkeley and Napa.” Here are some questions Charlotte presented Mr. Lake, Principal of Riverview School CHARLIE: WHY DO YOU SUPPORT RIVERVIEW’S YOGA PROGRAM? Tammy: “Good question. Right now, Maddie’s in fifth grade and Tillie’s in second so I have about ten years to decide. I know I’ll always teach somewhere. The only question is where.” CHARLIE: WHERE ELSE DO YOU TEACH YOGA? Mr. Lake: Yoga is an excellent process for students to learn self control and the many personal strengths related to it. (Continued to page 24) Lori Makabe delta explorer / 20 Lori Makabe
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