THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021
The Power of Podcast: Encouraging Student Voices
~ Regroupement lavallois pour la réussite éducative (RLPRÉ)
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Promote school perseverance and success: Instill in students
the love and desire for learning through targeted interventions
Increase self esteem and motivation: Implement inclusive
activities that strengthen learners’ sense of belonging, self-
esteem, and feelings of competency, collaboration and
engagement
Relieve barriers affecting school perseverance and drop out
rate to help learners succeed: Broaden opportunities for
students to express their opinion be successful and shine
Promote the value of education and the school as well as
increase school spirit and sense of school pride: Increase the
scope and effect of actions that promote school perseverance,
educational success and reconnection with school
CAMPAIGNS/THEMES/TOPICS COVERED
• Health & Wellness Campaign
• Perseverance Campaign; Hooked on School Days:
• Music and Mental Health
• Space and Exploration
• Study Skills
• Things We Love To Do
• Travel
PODCAST CHANNELS
Created 22+ Podcast Episodes on Anchor.FM available on 6
platforms.
Power of Podcast: Encouraging Student Voices
A Talk with Pheleshia
TYPES OF ACTIONS & HIGHLIGHTS
• Developed project Action Plan: Planned and coordinated
perseverance project
• Held motivational events and activities to promote
creativity, expression, confidence and school spirit
• Posted students’ work online to showcase students’ efforts
• Awareness, promotion and outreach: Increased awareness
and provided education
• Supported, educated and informed target population re:
principle activities, information and resources
• Sessions adapted to covid restrictions (e.g. held on Zoom)
POPULATION REACHED
Directly reached: 120+ participants through
sessions, workshops, podcast making, planning and organizing
50+ podcast team participants from targeted groups:
At-risk adults
Youth 25 years and under
Immigrant students
Social Integration Services (SIS )adult students
Specifically, adult learners:
at risk of dropping out
at risk of failure in the core subjects
at low literacy levels
with behaviour and social difficulties
with special needs
lacking self-esteem and/or motivation to persevere
Teachers: participation in campaigns, activities and promotion
Indirectly reached: CDC Vimont adult and youth population
(709 registered students 2020/21):
Via survey invite/input, virtual class visits, promotion, podcast
episode broadcasts, campaigns, social media, awareness and
sensitization initiatives, and access to ongoing online training
General school population & students who have not returned
to school
Reached:
5762 + individuals via FaceBook advertisements of podcasts
• Held workshops and sharing sessions
• Conduct and broadcast podcast episodes and interviews
• Provided resources & information | sustainability
• Awareness, promotion and outreach
• Created online courses
• Provided training demonstration videos | sustainability
• Established a team of students
• Engaged students in the publishing, promoting and
marketing aspects of podcasting
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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

PROJECT SUMMARY
This student-centered project targeted learners 16+ through the creation and broadcast of podcasts to motivate and
empower students to positively impact school perseverance. The project was adapted to meet the restrictions of covid
19 for the duration of the project and helped to address the feelings of isolation, anxiety and stress associated with the
pandemic that some students felt. By involving over 120 students in something meaningful, they experienced a greater
sense of self, school pride and community.

Following the results of a perseverance survey taken by 50 CDC Vimont students, topics for Zoom discussions and events
were selected and a series of podcast episodes were created, broadcast, and shared online. A sequence of online
workshop lessons was created and launched on Ruzuku: 1) Podcast Making; 2) Planning a Podcast (e.g., research,
reading, decision-making); 3) Podcast Interviewing (questioning techniques); 4) Make a Podcast in Anchor (e.g.,
production, recording, editing); 5) Podcast Cover Photo (e.g., publishing, marketing your message). The creation of
student podcast webpages and infographic resources helped to encourage even more students to create meaningful
conversation.

As a result of this project, we have created sustainable resources: will continue to promote the information, podcasts,
videos, workshops, and strategies developed for the project. Participants had the opportunity to access resources, take
workshops, voice opinions, and give feedback and direction that put their skills, expertise, and strengths to good use,
allowing learners to feel a sense of worth before their peers, along with the powerful messages they can deliver. The
podcasts served as a digital platform for making connections, sharing perspectives, insights, and stories that yielded
benefits across areas of the curriculum that directly affect learning, school spirit and overall school success, that resulted
in increased engagement, motivation, commitment, and self-confidence.
Interest Survey Prior to Project
Conducted school-wide perseverance survey re: motivation factors and concerns/issues (especially during covid-19 restrictions) faced by our student population
50 responses https://forms.gle/jqgPP8e2LHoEUA588
Project topics, themes, and activities were based on the results of the survey See highlights below:
responses as well as feedback from project team and participants.

Post Session Feedback

Participants perception of the

benefits of their participation I BENEFITED FROM TAKING THE
SESSIONS
Connected me with a
supportive community strongly agree agree
Improved overall
10% mental health
10% Improved my ability to
40% focus
10% 40%
Helped me manage
stress 60%
10%
Improved overall health
20%
and wellness
Gave me more energy
and brighter mood

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

Activity/Event Date/Time Info./details #

Held a series of 12 skills, interests, and information workshops.
Learn to Podcast in Just One Hour x 3
Podcasting 101 x1
Let’s Make a Podcast Together: Let’s plan
and script your own podcast x 2
Power of Podcast: Things We Love to Do x1
Breath is Life x 2
Demystifying Yoga/ Q&A with Pheleshia
Pack Your Bags to Australia
Make a Podcast with Chris
Hooked on School Days | Perseverance Campaign
1. Hooked on School Days class visits
and promos
2. TLE Podcast Promo Message
3. A Thousand No’s: DJ Corchin Author’s
visit (workshop)
4. Virtual meeting with LDT and guests
5. A Thousand No’s: Author DJ Corchin
live podcast interview
Workshops
March 24/21 3 PM+ Learn the basics to make and publish your own podcast. Join podcaster Chris Shee for a look at how to Podcast in just one hour!
8 PM https://tleliteracy.com/events/learn-to-podcast-in-just-one-hour-sat-8pm/ 11
March 27 8 PM
April 16/21 Let’s plan and script your own podcast. Join podcaster Chris Shee for a look at how to organize everything to make a great episode of
your own! 11
https://tleliteracy.com/events/podcasting-101-fri-10-am/
April 21 Let’s plan and script your own podcast. Join podcaster Chris Shee for a look at how to organize everything to make a great episode of
3-4:30 PM your own!
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8-9:30 PM https://tleliteracy.com/events/lets-make-a-podcast-together-wed-3-pm/
https://tleliteracy.com/events/lets-make-a-podcast-together-wed-8-pm/
April 20 & 29/21 Join podcaster Chris Shee and teacher Darlene Brown as we explore together “Things We Love to Do”. Podcast episodes will be
created, edited, and posted from this fun theme. Everyone will have the opportunity to make a great episode of their own!
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https://tleliteracy.com/events/power-of-podcast-6-pm/
https://tleliteracy.com/events/power-of-podcast-2-6-pm/
April 27/21 When you are worried about an exam, stressed because of an event, or anxious in general, returning to the breath can help return you
May 19/21 to a state of calm. Research is showing that by being in control of the breath, we become in control of our state of well-being. In this
workshop, you will learn various breathing techniques to help you take control of your life! 21
https://tleliteracy.com/events/the-breath-is-life/
https://tleliteracy.com/events/breath-is-life/
May 25 7-9 pm Join Pheleshia, as part of TLE's Wellness campaign for the Encouraging Student Voices project: This workshop will demystify beliefs and
demonstrate how yoga is for everyone. As well, you are encouraged to bring your questions so that together we can get to the bottom
of what yoga truly means and how it can benefit you on your path through life. Join me on this learning adventure! 17
~ Pheleshia Hudson
https://tleliteracy.com/events/demystifying-yoga-q-a-with-pheleshia/
May 27 7-9 Pack Your Bags to Australia with The Learning Exchange! https://tleliteracy.com/ #GDay #Mate
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https://youtu.be/9V29Kyan6NM
May 31 Space Library Zoomers work together with Chris and Mona to take part in creating a podcast episode 15
Activities/Campaigns/Events
Held motivational campaigns, events and activities to reduce stress, promote health, wellness, confidence and school spirit
Feb. 15-19/21 Launched Hooked on School Days campaign and project activities via school promotion and social media
March Take A moment for Them! #JPS2021 #HookedonSchoolDays2021 20
Following the interest survey, a promotion video was created to generate interest in the project to the targeted audience classes
https://youtu.be/sZI9h9FJeJA Hooked on School Days #JPS2021 https://tleliteracy.com/hooked-on-school-days-jps2021/
Feb. 16/21 x 2 Join DJ, as he discusses his journey to being an author, how he had to live the lesson of A Thousand NO’s and work with others to
11:30-12:15 pm change his original idea and introduces creative exercises to be able to practice idea growing. It’s a fun and meaningful session on
1:00 – 1:45 pm growth mindset and the power of wonderment! https://tleliteracy.com/events/a-thousand-nos-dj-corchin/ 34
https://tleliteracy.com/events/dj-corchin-webinar-author-illustrator/
https://tleliteracy.com/a-thousand-nos-by-dj-corchin/ 203 page visits
Feb. 16/21 https://tleliteracy.com/events/virtual-meeting-with-ldt-and-guests/ 9
Feb. 18/21 https://tleliteracy.com/episode-1-dj-corchin/ 38 page visits
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Student generated questions

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

Activity/Event Date/Time Info./details #

Health and Wellness
Wellness through Yoga with Pheleshia 14 sessions x 1.5 hrs Weekly posts with: podcast, journal questions, readings, information, yoga moves, stress-reducing relaxation techniques
March -June 2021 Sessions address breathing, yoga, thought provoking quotes, reflective journaling, personal mantra writing, and sharing.
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This promoted literacy through physical and emotional literacy as well and how to find ways to cope with stress
14 Wellness through Yoga sessions + 8 podcasts + 14 weekly themed web pages
Private Facebook Group ongoing created for Wellness through Yoga participants: 27/36 members joined 27
Journaling Feb. – June 2021 Used Amazon to deliver individual journals to students’ homes during covid-19
restrictions for journaling. Participants encouraged to express thoughts, feelings,
ideas, and emotions in a journal.
30

Workshops
A Talk with Phelisha podcasts
Making Music: Mental Health
Topics and themes of interest
Student Interests
Held discussions, created posts, added links
to student resources and created
infographics. Explored topics of interest:
study skills, space, travel, family, school,
covid, overall health and wellness, etc.
Awareness, promotion, and outreach
Show and Share
Space
Space Library Zoomers
Online Mona
Space Mugs
March – June 2021 Held workshops, discussions, and information exchanges with learners, volunteers, teachers and staff of CDC Vimont and TLE
8 podcast episodes on wellness:
A Talk with Pheleshia: An exploration of achieving wellness through yoga
April - July → An interview with Anthony Leroy of the Stepford Wolves about his mental health journey and making music.
→ Tys Burger Interviews Sable Walsh in front of a live zoom audience about her song, It’s Under Your Couch. They talk about the
music industry, what music can do for mental health, and the process of writing a song.
→ In this episode we meet Laura Bardsley, the musician behind Punctï. Laura has been releasing an album every month for the past 4
years, and has some insightful things to say about making music, not being too self-critical, and letting yourself do what you love.
https://tleliteracy.com/making-music/
March - August Examples:
The Three Different Ways that Adults Learn
https://tleliteracy.com/the-three-different-ways-that-adults-learn/
Class Talk
https://tleliteracy.com/class-talk-power-of-podcasts/
Feb. – August Promoting topics, achievements, events and sustainable resources (online access) Examples:
Resources: ABC Life Literacy: Free materials for students (e.g Upskills)
Ads: An Interview with Laura Bardsley #LauraBardsley #puncti #TLE #RLPRE #CDCVimont
May, June, August Provided opportunities via Zoom and social media to “Show & Share” work, podcasts and experiences with each other 30
April - Aug. 30/21 Regular meetings and communication to bring students and special needs students together. Under the guidance of tutor Mona
Arsenault, students followed the adventures of the Mars Rover aptly named “Perseverance” 15
https://tleliteracy.com/online-mona-april/ https://tleliteracy.com/events/zoomers-club-meeting/
May Used Amazon to deliver individual mugs to participant’s homes during covid-19 restrictions. These were
used as motivational and inspirational items for discussion and communication during covid restrictions.

This mug features beautiful original portraits of our solar system, and every time you enjoy a hot cup of
coffee or cocoa, you can learn about each planet. As 19th century astronomer Maria Mitchell wrote, "You 15
cannot study anything persistently for years without becoming learned..."

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

Activity/Event Date/Time Info./details #

Online Lessons & Resources | Sustainability
Created online training courses with information, videos, and materials via Ruzuku online training platform Resources created for project used on RECIT ELA site
https://app.ruzuku.com/courses/72711/enroll https://app.ruzuku.com/courses/73062/enroll

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

Title Episode Description

Podcast broadcasts + Interviews
Power of Podcast: Encouraging Student Voices TLE’s Podcast channel: https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange
Created and published 22 podcasts + student’s private podcasts
This student-centered podcast targets learners 16+ through the creation and broadcast of podcasts to motivate and empower students to positively impact school
perseverance. TLE Podcasts are available on 6 platforms. Click on images for hyperlink to the following platforms:

BREAKER GOOGLE PODCASTS POCKET CASTS

RADIO PUBLIC SPOTIFY RSS FEED

My 15 Year Overnight Success: An Interview with DJ Corchin
DJ Corchin is an author and illustrator of many children’s books. He uses his unique humor and
wit to focus on socially conscious messages involving kindness and emotional awareness. Some
of his other titles include, Do You Speak Fish? A Thousand NO’s, Half-Cat, and Mystical Rules For
My Magical Daughter. DJ has both illustrated his own stories as well as worked with other
talented artists such as award winning-illustrator and writer, Dan Dougherty.
https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/My-15-Year-Overnight-Success-An-Interview-
with-DJ-Corchin-eqs0p1
March 18/21 | Live interview with students via Zoom
A Thousand No’s: Author DJ Corchin podcast interview

Live Interview with Musician Sable Walsh
Tys Burger Interviews Sable Walsh in front of a live zoom audience about her song, It's Under
Your Couch. They talk about the music industry, what music can do for mental health, and the
process of writing a song.
https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Live-Interview-with-Musician-Sable-Walsh-
e15itus
May 18/21 | Live interview with 8 students via Zoom
Join us for a live, online podcast episode interview with musician Sable Walsh.
https://tleliteracy.com/events/an-interview-with-sable-walsh/

Take Hold of Your Health: A Talk with Pheleshia
Join Chris and Pheleshia as they explore personal health care and adult education during covid-
19.
Pheleshia is a teacher and has a Master of Education in Educational Psychology and Counselling:
Special Needs. She is a Certified Canadian Yoga Alliance-Registered Yoga Teacher | CYA-RYT650
certified.

https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Take-Hold-of-Your-Health-A-Talk-with-
Pheleshia-er08pf

Mental Health and Music with Anthony Leroy An interview with Anthony Leroy of the Stepford Wolves about his mental health journey and
making music.

Warning: discussion about depression and suicide.

If you or someone you know, is experiencing a crisis, there is help. Speak with someone today.
Canada Suicide Prevention Service | Hours: 24/7/365 | 833-456-4566

https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Mental-Health-and-Music-with-Anthony-
Leroy-ev721c

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

Title Episode Description

An Interview with Laura Bardsley & the Creative Process in In this episode we meet Laura Bardsley, the musician behind Punctï. Laura has been releasing an
Music album every month for the past 4 years, and has some insightful things to say about making
music, not being too self-critical, and letting yourself do what you love.

https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/An-Interview-with-Laura-Bardsley--the-
Creative-Process-in-Music-evsh7n

Moment in History with Muhammad: A Personal Narrative
with a CDC Vimont Student
Today we get to know CDC Vimont student Muhammad Amer and learn about his fascinating
background of growing up in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and attending Cairo University to earn his
degree in Civil Engineering. Muhammad discusses his journey to Canada, his keen interest in
reading History and learning English while earning a Civil Engineering equivalency certificate to
continue working as an engineer in Canada.

https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Moment-in-History-with-Muhammad-A-
Personal-Narrative-with-a-CDC-Vimont-Student-evtn1d

Class Talk What do you love to do? What would you love to do? How do you love to spend your free time?
These are some of the questions we explore in today's episode during a CDC Vimont class
discussion with The Learning Exchange.

https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Class-Talk-e10ng46

Class Talk with Asmaa Today we have a conversation with CDC Vimont student Asmaa, who shares some of her
personal story immigrating to Canada and not only the challenges that come with learning the
English language, but how she has become confident and proud of herself for pushing on with
her journey of speaking fluent English. Asmaa we think you are brave!
Asmaa also speaks about her aspirations of looking after her family members in their older age,
and volunteering her time to care for the people she loves the most.

https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Class-Talk-with-Asmaa-e10n81a

Class Talk with Lubna Lubna is an active student of CDC Vimont, who earned her high school diploma in her home
country of Pakistan and is now surging forward in Canada to obtain a certificate for a new career
in Care Taking for the Elderly. Listen to how compassionate Lubna is when giving us some insight
into why she wishes to pursue this career path.

https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Class-Talk-with-Lubna-e102rmp

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021
Title
Class Talk with Carolina
Interview with Adam from Adam Reads Podcast!
Life is BREATH with Pheleshia: an understanding of how
purposeful breathing can change your life!
The Space Library Zoomers with epic discussions, space poems
and stories from another galaxy!
Demystifying Yoga with Pheleshia
Episode Description
In this interview with CDC Vimont student Carolina from Columbia, who shares some of her
experiences of coming into a Quebec winter from a tropical country, how Carolina has her
interior design university degree from Columbia, where she wants to be in 5 years running her
own health product importation business. Carolina, we wish you all the best on your journey and
to wanting to speaking English as fluently as you do French & Spanish!
https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Class-Talk-with-Carolina-e10nfvg
Listen up to experience how Adam was able to create his first podcast episode and publish it
using a great free platform called Anchor!
Creating your own Podcast and making episodes has never been easier! To prove this, we chat
with 9 year old Adam, who attended The Learning Exchange's "How to Podcast in 1 hour"
workshop via Zoom. Adam explains what he learned that enabled him to record and publish his
first podcast episode! Adam says, "If I can do it, you can do it!
https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Interview-with-Adam-from-Adam-Reads-
Podcast-e102qp3
Live interview with Enza and Adam
When you are worried about an exam, stressed because of an event, or anxious in general,
returning to the breath can help return you to a state of calm. Research is showing that by being
in control of the breath, we become in control of our state of well-being. In this workshop, you
will learn various breathing techniques to help you take control of your life!
https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Life-is-BREATH-with-Pheleshia-an-
understanding-of-how-purposeful-breathing-can-change-your-life-e11n5i5
Welcome to this episode where The Space Library Zoomers (start by learning about podcasting!)
have an epic discussion about Space, share a poem on MARS, information on what type of food
astronauts eat, and a galactic Space travel / planet Earth story! (finishing with some more
learning on podcasting!) Join Mona's amazing class and get prepared to expand your mind about
our incredible Universe!
https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/The-Space-Library-Zoomers-with-epic-
discussions--space-poems-and-stories-from-another-galaxy-e12uhvc
After listening to this episode, feel inspired and energized as you gain new knowledge. Become
demystified through learning the true facts about Yoga and how you can implement this new
perspective into your own life.
https://anchor.fm/thelearningexchange/episodes/Demystifying-Yoga-with-Pheleshia-e130c69
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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

Title Episode Description

A Talk with Pheleshia A Talk with Pheleshia: 8 episodes on wellness: An exploration of achieving wellness through
yoga.
→ Wellness
→ Ahimas: Non Violence!
→ Water
→ Flexibility
→ Mantras
→ The Warriors
→ Mudras
→ Pranayama

Demonstration videos | sustainability

TLE YouTube Channel
TLE Video Series Created “How to Podcast“ TLE Video Series videos with Josh Murphy Videography
productions

1. Overview of Podcast Making

2. Planning a Podcast
3. What Makes a Good Interview
4. Recording, Editing and Publishing a Podcast in Anchor.fm
5. Using Canva

TLE How to Videos Created “How to” videos with Chris Shee

1. How to Research
2. Questioning Techniques

Health and Wellness Created Health and Wellness YouTube videos with Pheleshia and Chris Shee

1. Life is Breath: An understanding of how purposeful breathing can

change your life!
2. Demystifying Yoga

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

In collaboration with RECIT and CDC Vimont: Created infographic resources addressing Sec 1-5 study skills and strategies for students. Infographics, such as the following, are also posted on the new ELA Toolbox website.

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 THE POWER OF PODCAST PROJECT REPORT 2020/2021

Participant’s Comments and feedback Do you think there's a relationship between your
wellness/stress level and your overall productivity or
Reason for participating in wellness campaign: level of motivation in your work or studies?
→ I want to improve my inner peace and control my stress.
→ Because of covid there were no activities I was indulged in and this is a Yes Maybe
good opportunity to get myself mentally and physically back.
→ To have a more healthy lifestyle and to be less stressed out to help 10%
with my anxiety
→ …I have a lot of anxiety and negative thoughts
→ …because everyone wants to become healthy all time.
→ It calms me maintaining my health and to improve my flexibility
→ To try something different and explore the inside of my brain
→ It’s nice to have something to do while I'm stuck at home
→ It's relaxing 90%
→ Yoga let my body and my mental relax. I love it!
→ To improve my coping mechanisms
→ I really enjoyed the people I was doing yoga with, I really enjoyed the
→ To re-evaluate my physical wellness and to add another outlet to my
different themes every week, and I very much enjoyed the instructor's
routine to manage stress.
teaching techniques and enthusiasm.
→ I was going through a lot of stress at school and needed to put time
→ …learning it's alright to do poses at one's own level, motto of non self-
aside for myself and I also felt very comfortable with the instructor.
violence, Pheleshia's generosity of time (she did over 1.5 hour sessions
→ It would help me to better connect with others during the pandemic
some weeks).
and health reasons.
→ Honestly, the best, all in compassing yoga course I've taken. The
→ It will really motivates me through getting better shape and releases
breathing workshop was also amazing!
the stress inside my body.
→ I’m really happy that I got to experience yoga with Pheleshia she’s
→ Yoga helps me to release stress.
amazing and it really helped me take time for myself and relax.
→ For a healthy mind and body…it relaxes me
→ It’s easy to follow
→ In the end we get to the relaxing techniques through lying down on
What did you like best about the sessions?
the carpet.
→ I really appreciated the podcasts and the relaxation techniques.
→ The comfort of home… and I could go on my own pace
Additional Thoughts and Comments
→ The entire course was well organized and her attention to each
→ Thank you for giving your time to creating courses such as these. It
student was welcoming.
was great to have yet another stress reducing outlet to add to my
→ Hard to pick just one - sense of community, learning so much… weeks and I appreciated every moment of the course.
→ I especially enjoyed the documents in between classes to help set the → I hope to be able to take more classes with this instructor!
intention for the week's class and outside of class.
→ I would like to participate, again, if possible!
→ It would be great two classes per week :)

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INTEREST SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

Diagram 1: Identified interests: 50 respondents

Diagram 3: Questions and concerns of respondents during covid-19

restrictions

Diagram 2: Ability to focus during covid-19 restrictions

Diagram 4: Feeling of isolation during covid restrictions.

1= Very to 10 not at all

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