"Yoga has been a huge success," said Park View Education Centre principal Charles Williamson, whose school is one of six in the province offering the new program.

 "It's servicing an element of our student body that has had traditional disinterest in physical education. … We were having trouble getting them engaged, but now they're in something they like."

 In particular, girls.

 "Yoga 11 addresses government's commitment to gender equity within physical education," said Department of Education spokesman Peter McLaughlin.

 "It helps increase participation rates of female students in physical activity and increasing opportunities for access to the types of physical activities that engage females."

 The department developed Yoga 11 as one of the new courses to fulfill its new physical education graduation requirement for high school students and the program has been a hit provincewide.

 Two hundred Grade 9 students from feeder schools into Millwood High School have requested the course for next year, and Auburn High School, which will offer the course in 2009–10, reports a waiting list of Grade 10, 11 and 12 students.

 "I'm hoping next year we can offer Yoga 12 because I've had interest from a number of students in being able to continue it," said Mr. Williamson.

 The course teaches not only the physical practice of yoga, but nutrition, breath awareness, relaxation and history.

 "Yoga helps me relax and forget about troubles outside of school work," said Park View student Julia Dickison in a press release.

 "I think it's really cool that there is a class that does not involve competition and running around. We have also learned a lot about the culture behind yoga, which is interesting too."

 Student Hailey Hughes said it's more than just stretching.

 "It changes the way you look at life."

 It's also physically demanding.

 "People may be surprised to learn just how much of a physical workout it can be," said teacher Amanda Stuart.

 "[And] how the practice can support other types of physical activity. It is great for athletes from any discipline and will develop body awareness in everyone."