Yoga for Grammar students and staff

TO help transitioning back to home schooling a little easier, Ballarat Grammar is offering its staff and students access to yoga and active classes for the rest of the school year.

In association with Absolute Yoga, Grammar has funded a weekly timetable of online classes for students, staff and their families to support its community during this challenging period.

Absolute Yoga owner Tracey Hargreaves said in the previous lockdown period, the school had bought online classes for staff and this time they wanted to take it further.

“We were involved last time Grammar was in lockdown to support teachers and staff through that stressful time of doing online learning,” she said.

“Grammar approached us again to offer our classes to not just the staff this time, but also the students and the families of the students.

“This time we have teamed up with Perfit, which is another gym who offer around 21 classes a week and we have about the same.”

Through the school’s website, Grammar’s community have access to a range of yoga, Pilates and barre classes as well as Perfit’s strength and conditioning classes from the comfort of their homes.

Ms Hargreaves said the program aims to provide a good mix of both energetic and relaxing workouts to suit everyone.

“All the classes can be done live via zoom or they can access recordings to watch later if the time doesn’t suit them,” she said.

“We had quite a lot of feedback from the teachers in the first round saying that they loved it.

“If anything, people are more into this time because they are feeling the effects of isolation and just want to feel better.”

The aim of these online activities is not just about staying fit and active, but also motivate students to be mindful of themselves and their community.

Headmaster Adam Heath said the fitness program as well as a range of other services is currently available on the school’s ‘our village’ website.

“We understand this is a difficult time for many in our community, and when the first lockdown occurred, we put together resources to help our community,” he said.

“This lockdown we increased the activities on offer to include fitness classes, yoga and Pilates as well as a lockdown challenge where students offer to do something thoughtful for someone else during this time.”