Having an open mentality and branching out of your comfort zone are important when attending school. At Danville High School, Intersession is an opportunity for students to experiment by taking classes that they find interesting or want to learn more about. These classes are not usually taught in a high school setting. One example is this year’s Mindfulness course. In this class, students made gratitude journals, completed yoga exercises and participated in different forms of meditation.
The class was created with the knowledge that students can experience high amounts of stress in and outside of school. Students utilized tools in order to gain an understanding of how they can de-stress for the betterment of their mental health.
Cheyenne Garcia is a junior who took the mindfulness class. She joined in hopes to acquire a better understanding on how to remain calm in stressful places or situations. Along with that, she learned the activities were very freeing.
“Everyone participates and takes the class seriously,” she said. “It feels very welcoming.”
The teachers of the class were Ms. Blossom Brosi, who is an English teacher, and Ms. Shelly Stinnett, who is an art teacher. Ms. Stinnett’s favorite part of the class was the guided meditations that used natural imagery and sensory awareness. She said she believes mindfulness is a transformative practice, and witnessing her students’ growth has been a very rewarding adventure.
“My biggest takeaway is the profound impact of mindfulness,” she said. “It also reminds me of the importance of slowing down and practicing what I preach.”