There’s no doubt that May is a brutal month in Palo Alto. From performances, to championships, to final exams and projects, it seems that everyone in is in a mad dash to pack it all in before school ends. No wonder some call it the “100 Days of May.”
Jordan choir students have the answer to spring stress: yoga
But at Palo Alto’s Jordan Middle School, free yoga classes have helped the choir students sail through May feeling relaxed and refreshed. Offered by Angie DeGeronimo, owner of Noxcuses Fitness Club and a Jordan parent, the yoga classes are designed to help students de-stress and breathe during the busy season.
Jordan choir teacher Monica Covitt and yoga teacher Angie De Geronimo
As Angie said, “The students are transported during the yoga classes. They report feeling more calm and physically connected to music and themselves. They consistently ask if it can be more frequent in the school year.”
“A unique and valuable experience…”
Echoes Jordan choir teacher Monica, “These kids get stressed out, even in middle school. While music, the arts, sports, and any passion can be a relieving outlet for stress and anxiety, bringing more tools and experiences into their daily lives like yoga and movement can really add to the ways they are able to thrive as 
young people in stressful situations and environments. We feel lucky to be able to offer such a unique and valuable experience to our community.”
young people in stressful situations and environments. We feel lucky to be able to offer such a unique and valuable experience to our community.”
Yoga creates a safe place to make mistakes and keep trying
Palo Alto Pulse tagged along to observe one of Angie’s choir yoga classes recently, and it was a wonder to see the students go from being itchy, silly and a bit nervous to becoming relaxed and truly in the ‘flow’ of yoga.
With a combination of calm, encouragement and humor, Angie created a safe environment for all of the kids to try different poses, make mistakes, fall down and keep going for almost 45 minutes (it helped to have a padded floor!). It was clear that her classes are a wonderful community service to Jordan and are beneficial for the students who are lucky enough to participate.
A chance to unplug and re-connect
In fast-paced world of Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, everyone- but especially young people- need a chance to turn off and tune out- and yoga is the ideal way to do just that.As Angie said, “I am passionate about supporting our youth in their journey inward. In their busy world of social media, school and technology, I hold hope for a deeper, more meaningful connection to themselves without judgement. Each of them being worthy as they are; mind, body and soul.”
All photos by Palo Alto Pulse
