Grade 1 Connects the Mind and Body in Stage Performance

With a little imagination and creativity, anything is possible including first-grade students demonstrating yoga poses as they took families and fellow Lower School students on a relaxing journey in their performance of I Am Yoga. The idea for the show was based on the book by author Susan Verde.

Under colorful lights that changed throughout the performance, the students gathered on stage in the Taylor Performing Arts center wearing custom tie-dye shirts with a peace sign illustration and headbands. Each student took their place on a different colored yoga mat to begin the performance. In groups of two, the students stood to recite the story detailing how in a world so big to remain calm and relaxed. Each stanza ended with the students stating “I Am Yoga” and demonstrating different yoga poses including mountain pose, bird pose, star pose, half-moon pose, and more.

The performance culminated with a song accompanied by Lower School music teacher Rachael Jungkeit on the piano before concluding with a talk-back. According to theatre teacher Lisa Daly, the students had been working on this performance for about two months and were eager to showcase their yoga poses. In fact, Ms. Daly noted that she and first-grade teachers Beth Messina 1996 and Rebecca Godinez had actually started discussing the idea for the show in August. 

When asked their favorite yoga poses, a few students answered downward dog, warrior, eagle, and tree pose. Ms. Daly maintained that it was impressive that the students were able to remember the exact names of so many of the poses.

Following the performance, students and their families headed down to the Dining Hall for an art show and reception. On display across several tables in the front were three distinct pieces of art the students created in class with art teacher Sue Bennett 1973. The three pieces included a stained glass window watercolor painting with the student’s initials hidden within, a wooden stained glass window piece with a light to illuminate the colors, and an oil pastel village drawing. The art show also served as a cross-curricular demonstration as the students learned about artist Marc Chagall in their art history unit. Mrs. Bennett noted that the vibrant hues and imaginative compositions of the artwork complemented the colors of the stage performance.