Murray Ridge teacher moves yoga class online

ELYRIA — About three years ago, Murray Ridge started a yoga class for its students to help with behavior and other issues. With the school's shutdown for COVID-19, Sam Polcynzki, an intervention specialist for the school, decided to move it online for the students. "When school was closed, that was my first reaction, to figure out a way to continue yoga club," she said. "When we first started it was just my classroom of students and staff that were participating. Over the years that's grown to multiple classrooms." Polcynzki has since become a certified yoga instructor. She said doing the class online has opened up multiple avenues for the students and their families. Many of the parents or siblings have started doing the class with the students. "We're actually kind of excited because doing it in a virtual capacity allows us to offer the same program to countless families, not just the students who are also able to access it," Polcynzki said. "It's a whole family unit, which is one of the main differences of how it looks different online than from school. We've been really pleased with the participation of parents and some siblings, especially just to give them an idea of how the class looks differently to a loved one with special needs." Polcynzki said it's a special thing for students with special needs to be able to have something they can share with the whole family, and something that others can participate in. One mom Polcynzki talked to said the class allowed her a glance inside what her student is doing and how they are interacting with peers inside a virtual classroom. "It's really limited for children with special needs to be included in community clubs and school clubs," Polcynzki said. "And this is something a little different. This club is tailored for them and they have the ability to invite others into their circle." People who participate in the classes have the option to do it outside or inside, and they have the choice to either be on camera or off camera. Polcynzki said the class has helped students with their behavior and emotions, but now parents have a chance to do the same. "One of the things that we talk about is modeling self care for yourself as a parent or as a teacher or staff," Polcynzki said. "We expect the students to do a lot — to use their words, to regulate their emotions, to stay in control of their behavior, but often, we're not able to do those things ourselves." Because the class has gone virtual, Polcynzki said she opened up a Facebook and page so anyone can join if they would like. "It's still a class for the staff. It's still a class for the students," Polcynzki said. "But now it's also a class for the parents and we want the parents to be modeling those healthy habits of self care. So it's just really exciting. It's really been a huge positive in a negative situation, which is sort of what the whole class is all about." Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.