I can understand why the idea of mandatory yoga classes can sound strange to an outsider. But there’s a reason for it: NHS has extremely high stress levels. The academic environment is insanely competitive, with everyone clamoring to be accepted into Ivy League schools, parents and teachers pressuring students to achieve all A’s, and an increasingly high number of students enrolled in accelerated and AP level classes.

Since 2004, there has been a string of teen suicides in Needham. One major factor in all of the suicides was stress and academic pressure. Still think mandatory yoga classes are a big issue? Needham is doing all it can to maintain a thriving, healthy environment for it’s students.

I’m only a freshman, yet I’m often up late studying, writing essays, etc. I’m on two sports teams – with three or four practices a week, each lasting 1 1/2 to 3 hours, and two competitions a week, that’s a ton of extra time taken up. The mental pressure is insane as well. Just this year, I’ve had two complete breakdowns.

You can’t honestly believe that reducing stress through yoga for forty-five minutes a day is Satanic. Especially in Needham, the uber-liberal, uber-athiest town.

If you still believe that we’re all going to hell, try attending NHS for awhile. If you don’t crack after a couple weeks, then I’ll be much more likely to listen to your rants against Satan.