In a bid to combat anxiety in the lead up to the final exams, students and teachers from All Saints College, St Mary’s Campus in Maitland, are learning a range of yoga techniques to help them relax in the weeks ahead.

“Studies show that yoga is a benefit for teenagers struggling with body image issues and stress management,” Newcastle yoga teacher Anamari Becker said. 

“And certain breath techniques and exercise obviously lower the levels of cortisol in the system.”

And according to HSC student Dominic Howell yoga has helped him become “all Zen master”.

“Yoga definitely helps you focus when you have to study for long periods of time,” Dominic said.

“It also helps with flexibility when you are sitting around all the time and I’d like to send a little shout out to the yoga teachers because they have been amazing.”

Ms Becker is encouraging other schools across the Hunter region to adopt a yoga-based program for their students and staff.

“We’ve also found yoga is a great outlet for some students who don’t necessarily fit into the other cohorts within the school,” she said.

“There are always situations where certain students get pigeonholed out and we provide an environment that is safe and non-competitive.”