Blog 5a: Science Fair Problem Statement

Content:
1) Yoga
2) A common problem is students might overexert themselves during practices which can result in injury. Common injuries revolve around the abdomen, back, hamstrings, and shoulders. These injuries occur primarily in the more strenuous styles of yoga like ashtanga. If I was able to find a better method to teach these poses, or a better way for people to practice them to minimize the injury possibility on their body, then I would be able to spread the word in the yoga community. I could post research online and make my arguments on a yoga blog in which I can share the word to other yoga instructors and hopefully they could do likewise having the information spread through the yoga community.
3) A problem with yoga is that each studio generally does there own thing. The certification process of yoga is not the same as a UC or Cal state system in which it is distinguished. Some yoga teachers may have their yoga credential while others may not. Generally it has been stated that your degree in yoga is directly correlated to how much a person is willing to pay to get it. There is no organized yoga certification standard or program to teach yoga. To be able to create a better certification method would be amazing. Once the problem is solved, I would try to find the head people in the board of yoga and present them with my system hoping that if it is sold well that they would purchase and adopt it.

Blog 4: Project Reflection and Working EQ

Pentagon:

1) Positive statement: What positive thing happened as a result of what you have completed so far?

I have acquired greater knowledge of yoga and my health has been improved to a certain extent. I am more aware of my posture, of my thought, and of my actions. Due to my greater awareness, I am able to think more clearly and fix situations better than I would have been able to in the past prior to completing my tasks up until now.

2) EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it improved your understanding of the topic?

When Alex described to me his take on yoga and what it means to him it helped me understand that yoga does not just have one layer, it has several layers of depth. Alex described to me how yoga is more than just "flexibility", it is about "mental stamina", "focus", "patience", and "humility". Alex's words helped me understand just how multi-dimensional yoga is. It helped me realize and understand that you just cannot slap one label on yoga because to define yoga in one words would not necessarily do it justice. The best way to describe it in one word would be that yoga is a lifestyle, but to classify it as a lifestyle would still be vague for a person would want to know how that lifestyle is. To put it in short Alex helped me understand that yoga is similar to an onion. They both can be discomforting at times, they both can make you cry, they both are healthy in life, and they both have layers.

3) What has worked so far for you in the senior project?

The research checks so far have worked out for me. The time spent reading research has helped improve my knowledge of yoga. Ultimately my service learning of taking classes has worked out for me the best since it has given me the best results. From practicing yoga I have improved my posture and my daily attitude and perspective towards life.

4) What hasn't worked so far?

I am still looking for a mentor so I suppose that hasn't worked for me. I'm still looking for a yoga instructor I can connect to and is willing to take the time to mentor me. These are the only regards in which the senior project has not worked for me so far.

5) Finding Value: Based on your experiences so far,

• What possible question or questions come to mind regarding what you would like to study this year?

Questions that come to mind are the following:
- What's the most intense inversion a person can do in yoga?
-  Is it normal for a guy to eventually be able to do the splits in yoga?
-  Does yoga play a role or influence in a person's diet?

• What is your end goal this year with your senior project?

My end goal is to ultimately be more healthy. I want to be more fit, more flexible, and more at peace with everything.

• Who would you like to talk to next? Why?

I would like to talk to my yoga instructor Annie next because she is really nice and I like her style of teaching. She surrounds her class with mellow, relaxing music, and really helps her students with their asanas (poses). I would also like to talk to her because Alex recommended her to me, so I would like to honor his recommendation by talking to her.

Blog 3: Interview Preparation

Content:

1) Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan to interview the owner of Yoganette studios Antoinette Contrera because since she runs the studio, I figure she knows a lot about yoga and can elaborate on what it takes to run a yoga studio. She's normally always in the studio so I also figured that it would simply be convenient for her to be the first person I interview.

2) You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask?
Below is a list of the questions I would like to ask (not including the 5 mandatory questions) :

1. What does a typical day running a yoga studio look like?
2. How has yoga made an impact on your health since you started practicing the art?
3. What's the most effective yoga style in terms of creating muscle tone?
4. What is yoga?
5. How extensive can injuries get when someone practices yoga?

Blog 2: Topic Choice

Content

a. What is your topic and why?
            My topic is yoga and I chose this because my parents told me I need to find a way to get more healthy and to improve my attitude, and yoga does just that! Originally me and my friend Darien tried yoga at a 24 hour fitness gym just cause we thought we'd be cool if we did it, but after that one class I realized how much of an impact it had on my stress level, mood, and overall perception of the world. I chose yoga cause ultimately it is good for my physical and mental health. 

b. And what do you plan to accomplish this year with this topic?
             My ultimate goal with this topic would be to improve my health. It has been brought to my attention that I do not have the most nutritious diet and I do not have the best posture, so it is my goal to become healthy and to correct my posture. Yoga helps improve the mental and physical state of people so with this topic I essentially plan on working to be a better person in general. I understand how becoming a better person is hard to quantify, so in quantifiable terms I want to fix my diet, get fit, improve my stamina, flexibility, and posture as a result of studying and practicing this topic.

• Effective iPoly Citizen: I plan to practice yoga on a regular basis, to focus on pushing my physical and mental limits in class, and to always arrive to service learning on time as well as respect each of my fellow yoga piers and teachers in and out of class. This relates to me becoming a better iPoly Citizen because the principle of punctuality and respect towards others in the yoga class will transcend from good behavior in the class to good behavior in everyday life as well. Practicing yoga regularly will help me control my breath more which then directly relates to controlling my thoughts and actions since the "breath" links the body both physically and mentally. This will result in me becoming more interdependent and aware of my own actions, thoughts, and responsibilities in handling situations in the yoga class, at iPoly, and at home.
• Effective Communicator: I plan to listen to my instructor's instructions with the utmost cooperation, to focus on being aware of my distance and position from fellow piers in the studio, and to talk towards my fellow piers or instructors in the studio with respect. This will make me more effective as a learner because listening is a skill that is essential to effective communication. Yoga classes can get pretty cramped at times, but it is important to give each person a decent amount of space for them to practice their flow. By giving each person respectable space, collaboration is being done to provide everyone with the most enjoyable yoga experience possible. 
• Effective Learner: I plan to ask my instructors questions, to dig deeper outside of class and learn more about yoga in its entirety, and to eventually develop my own yoga flow that suits my health best. This will make me more effective as a learner because asking questions and seeking knowledge on my own time will cause me to form my own conclusions, to expand on teachings taught to me, and to ultimately assume responsibility of my own education. 
• Effective User of Technology: I plan to use websites, data bases, and audio pod casts to my sole benefit to understand, learn, and question more about yoga. This will make me a more effective user of technology by expanding my skills in utilizing technology in finding information that is beneficial to my knowledge. Consistent use of websites, data bases, and audio pod casts will contribute to me gaining experience in using technology which will then in turn result in me becoming more effective and efficient for future practices.