The Canton Yoga Loft has launched the “Yoga in the Schools” program collaborating with Canton, Potsdam and Edwards-Knox school districts.

Funding for these programs has been made available through the Canton Community Fund, Clarkson's Lewis School of Health Sciences, and the Northern New York Community Foundation / John and Dorotha Van Ness Family Fund.

The goal of “Yoga in the Schools” is to provide group yoga classes as part of the physical education program and has gained support from school administrators, counselors, Positivity Project Advisors, and teachers, according to Jane Lammers of the Canton Yoga Loft.

This past fall 40 classes were led by yoga loft teacher Lori Dye, in grades 4–12, with over 300 students participating at both Edwards-Knox and at Potsdam schools.

In January & February, a new pilot program for high school students will be available at Potsdam Central High School, taught by Lori Dye; and an extensive series of group yoga classes at Canton Central will be taught by Yoga Loft instructor Sarah Scafidi-McGuire.

Scafidi-McGuire will teach classes for grades 3 – 8, as proposed by the Canton Central staff.

The Canton Yoga Loft's “Yoga in the Schools” Coordinator Jane Lammers states, “The enthusiastic response from the larger community & individual schools has been terrific. With the skilled & energetic Yoga Loft teachers, Sarah Scafidi-McGuire & Lori Dye, we are able to respond to this interest with great pleasure! Congratulations to everyone involved in this innovative program, which extends the type & magnitude of the Yoga Loft's long tradition of community service.”

“Yoga for student athletes is a good cross training activity and can help to prevent injuries,” she said. “Introducing young people to this beneficial practice is a great way to encourage a lifetime of fitness and wellness.

Funding organizations have been quite enthusiastic about the new Multi-District “Yoga in the Schools” program. The Lewis School of Health Sciences' Physical Therapy and Physicians Assistants student group, which hosted the 2023 Raquette River Dragon Boat Festival, contributed funds from this fundraiser.

Christopher LaPoint, from the Lewis School, & the student group have supported other lifetime fitness sports for youth, including “Girls on the Run” in Potsdam.

The Canton Community Fund's generous contribution is enabling a comprehensive program for 3rd to 8th graders at Canton Central, a very impressive & unprecedented program of group yoga for youth in public schools.

The Van Ness Family Fund is assisting in offering “Yoga in the Schools” to 216 4th & 5th graders in Potsdam & the “Pilot Program” for grades 9 – 12 at the Potsdam Central high school. This program will allow students to choose to participate & is expected to provide a template for successful programs in other school districts.

The Canton Yoga Loft is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to health & wellness for all ages and to ongoing community service. A complete listing of current available classes and workshops is online at www.yoga-loft.org.