THE
PEACE ISSUE Cypress Bay High School • 18600 Vista Park Blvd. • Weston, Fla. 33332 • Vol 17, Issue 2 • November 2017
By Katherine Gibson Opinion Copy Editor
For students like sophomore Alexa Bieber, being in school is a constant stressful situation. Between participating in multiple after-school clubs, taking numerous Advanced Placement classes and dealing with the monotonous class schedule, Bieber said she feels it is hard to catch a break from her worries. “I believe that having a balance between stress and fun must be made,” Bieber said. “Even though I have such an intense load at school, I always make time each day to take a break from the stress.” After school ends each day, Bieber commonly finds herself doing short meditations and connecting to her spirituality by reading Tarot cards. “Doing a five-minute meditation every day is vital to your mental and spiritual health, which is proven to destress and rejuvenate,” Bieber said. “Being spiritual just allows you to have a higher level of thinking, which helps me to look at the bigger picture of a stressful situation.” Bieber said she notices the difference between her own stress levels and those of her friends and wants everyone to be able to achieve self-peace in the same way she does. Through consistent practice, Bieber has found many successful strategies to relieve her . “Sometimes stress comes from overthinking situations,” Bieber said. “Before taking a test or presenting a speech, take a deep breath and reassure yourself that everything is okay. Even making sure you get enough sleep decreases stress levels because it reenergizes you and puts you in the right positive mindset.” Sara Schlorf, parent of sophomore Claire Schlorf, said she understands the
necessity of students finding inner peace. As a certified pilates and yoga instructor, she said she is a true advocate for students incorporating mindfulness training into their daily lives. “I believe mindfulness is important because it connects to the true essence of who you are,” Schlorf said. “It allows you to live your life with purpose and meaning. Instead of being caught up in the external world, you are forced to draw inward. It makes you want to help others more, and you are able to empathize on a deeper level.” Schlorf practices meditation every day and encourages her children to practice alongside her. She took mindfulness training courses through Balanced Body University and the Chek Holistic Lifestyles Certification Course. She said these courses have opened her eyes to how much training would be beneficial for students. “Everything about that course brings mindfulness to everything you do,” Schlorf said. “Starting with preparing for sleep, how you eat and what you eat, to how you move your body, this course really has trained me to slow things down by being mindful at all times. By connecting the two, through concentration and being present in the moment, in the exercise, you will have better results.” Schlorf said making small changes in daily routines would greatly help students achieve more self-peace. “The best strategies for students is to buy a yoga mat and find a studio close to them and try different classes,” Schlorf said. “Something will stand out and resonate. Then, make a commitment to go. Put it in your calendar. “
Junior Isabella Proano is an advocate for this advice and practices it as secretary of Yoga Club. As a newly established club this school year, Proano said she hopes she can encourage more students to practice yoga to help them achieve selfpeace. “At meetings, we provide a safe space for members to practice different yoga routines and mindful meditation,” Proano said. “Through their individual practices, members have the ability to connect to their internal emotions and find inner peace.” Proano said she feels that although anxiety is normal for students to experience on a day-to-day basis, it is important to find ways to cope with this pressure and understand that everything will have a positive outcome. “In my personal experience, Yoga Club has helped me forget about and be able to better manage stress,” Proano said. “Although yoga is a great tool, students shouldn’t feel like yoga is the only way to feel less stressed out. Anywhere you are, you have the power to close your eyes, quiet your mind and simply be present in the moment.” According to Proano, one way students can have more access to achievements in self-peace would be if teachers incorporated stress-relieving activities into their curriculum. “Teachers being empathetic towards students and allowing them to feel safe and peaceful in the classroom would be an amazing thing,” Proano said. “Students
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would definitely Rach el feel more ready to Sc ho nb learn and perform in a er ge peaceful space.” r Like Proano, Schlorf said she agrees that teachers and staff at school should take on a bigger role in incorporating mindfulness training into lesson plans for the benefit of the students. “By incorporating mindfulness, the students will retain more, improve in tests and, in turn, the teachers will have higher scores and grades in the class,” Schlorf said. “They will be more relaxed and at ease, and the teacher will benefit from the same.” Proano said as long as students are aware of the fact that mindfulness exists, fulfillment in relaxation is possible. “I would strongly advise all students to practice finding self-peace in their own unique ways,” Proano said. “Techniques could include listening to music, picking a space in nature to relax, going for a walk or listening to meditations. I just think everyone should be able to experience the wonderful benefits that I have and find their zen.”
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FEATURES SPORTS
School mascot Mr. Lightning takes off her mask.
Exercise methods reach past the usual gym, field and court.
A&E
Tri-M Honor Society officers induct new musical members.
OPINION
Recent shootings provoke discussions regarding gun laws.