Whether it’s badminton, basketball or even kickball, South’s P.E. Department promotes many ways to be healthy and stay fit; however, South has made an impact for a number of its students recently by offering Yoga, a meditation activity focusing on training the body and mind to withstand static poses, and Zumba, a Latino dance workout program.

According to an Oracle-conducted survey of 264 students, 72 percent believe that teachers should offer them the opportunity to participate in Yoga and Zumba in class more often than they do now. The survey also indicates that these activities have become a growing trend at South.

Junior Ellen Hirsch has decided to take her passion for Yoga to the next level by registering for a two-week intensive yoga teacher certification program this summer in Hawaii. Her agenda is packed, including the required 200 hours of instruction and 20 hours of teaching practice with activities ranging from presentations by motivational speakers to studying textbooks on anatomy.

“There are different activities to benefit the soul,” Hirsch said. “It’s a chance to meet a bunch of really cool people who are interested in bettering themselves. You get a lot of exercise, and at the same time it’s really relaxing because it makes you feel refreshed.”

Junior triathlete Jillian Metzler attends a Yoga class with her chiropractor in Winnetka to stretch out and relax in order to recover from a difficult week of training.

According to Metzler, the mental effects are even more powerful than the physical benefits.

“I’m able to conquer things that used to bother me,” Metzler said. “With stressful situations, you focus on your breath in order to take control of your mind. It puts everything in perspective.”

Zumba is another activity that various South students participate in to get exercise while still having fun. Junior Alison Mah practices Zumba at home with her little sister using the Wii video game program, while junior Nikki Karwowski regularly attends a Zumba class at XSport Fitness. Karwowski explains that the similarity between Zumba and dance makes it feel as though it is not even a workout because it doesn’t take a strenuous toll on the body.

But senior Katie Albrecht argues that it’s difficult for Zumba to have a positive effect on the South student body because students are unwilling to fully participate.

“Not a lot of people give 100 percent effort in gym and a big part of Zumba is looking stupid,” Albrecht said. “A lot of people aren’t willing to look stupid in gym classes when they’re not just with their friends.”

Junior Kristina Tomasic agrees and says that partcipation is definitely lower in Yoga and Zumba during P.E.

“Not many people are devoted enough, and it seems like most people are annoyed by it,” Tomasic explained. “Students just talk with friends instead of following the [Yoga or Zumba] videos.”

In contrast, junior Isana Pogosov believes that the mentally rewarding aspect of Yoga and Zumba makes students more willing to participate.

Patricia Moulakelis, Aerobics and Dance teacher, became certified in Zumba in order to bring these trends from the health clubs to the high school. According to Moulakelis, the implementation of these activities has added another dimension to the physical education curriculum.

“The kids really like the dance aspect of it, and the kids that can’t dance still end up moving anyway,” Moulakelis said. “It’s also low impact. Kids who don’t want to jump or run would choose to take Zumba over any other type of exercise class.”

Junior Hannah Pellouchoud took Moulakelis’s Aerobics class last semester. Pellouchoud believes that Yoga and Zumba positively impacted the attitude of her class.

“I could see the immediate effect [Yoga and Zumba] had on the class,” Pellouchoud said. “Everyone was happier and calm, and any activity that makes that impact is so worth it.”