As researchers continue digging and finding information on the benefits of mindfulness and yoga for athletes, Amy Rollins does a fantastic job of bringing this knowledge to the athletes at WHS. Rollins has been a yoga and mindfulness instructor for the girls varsity soccer team for five years and has had a positive impact on this team’s dynamic on and off field. The athletes and coaches of this program agree on the importance of Rollins’ instruction to make athletes more well-rounded and enhance on-field performance. Head coach Alex Schmidt said, “Ever since she joined us, it has changed our program and I don’t know if we would have the same success without her, she is definitely a large piece of it.”
Rollins began her mindfulness journey years ago after connecting with a particular yoga class. She explains that she was in “shavas”, the final resting place in yoga, and she discovered the power of truly finding her breath and tranquility. She performed this practice more frequently for herself and decided to pursue it after having three daughters. Rollins said, “There is so much anxiety in this world and everybody needs to know the power of breath and how to manifest that to find their calm.” Her influence extends past just her daughters, but to all of her clients and the WHS athletes.
Rollins works with athletes to reduce stress, build confidence and mental strength, provide focus tools and most importantly be present and aware in their daily lives. Through many different exercises, movements and breaths, she implements the significance of being in touch with oneself and entirely aware of one’s surroundings through the five senses. She said, “It is important to find your balance and have the ability to find your calm no matter where you are.” Her exercises allow athletes to momentarily disconnect from their life stressors and reconnect with themselves individually and assess their state of being.
Schmidt said, “The most beneficial aspect of her work is that she is a different voice for the players. We don’t have a say in her work. We give her some information on the vibe of the team and she takes it from there.” Schmidt also values that, “the girls’ sessions with her are completely separated from the coaching staff which is an awesome way to start off our sometimes long weeks.”
Rollins meets with the girls soccer team every Monday for the teams ‘Mindfulness Monday’ hour during the fall season. Each week has a different theme that teaches a different skill. First she takes members of the girls soccer team through yoga poses to get them moving after a long day of school. Then she moves onto exercises such as breathing, mind-body awareness, connection, listening skills, confidence skills and methods to ease anxiety. Throughout her weeks with each year’s team, she impresses important life skills that are taken onto the soccer field and into the rest of the athletes lives. “My hope is that [they] can bring it onto the field and just be aware of [their] surroundings and be able to tune out the noise in life,” Rollins said.
Her tactics help student-athletes in school, in problem solving situations and in athletic competition. Senior co-captain Erin Hazard said, “The breathing she teaches can be used in any stressful situation to calm our body and mind, and she always gives us more subtle options so we can use them in a classroom or anywhere else.”
Rollins’ practice, Yoga My Mind, works to encourage community, improve self-esteem and ease tension and anxiety through personalized class options for any group or individual. The WHS girls soccer team is a prime example of how mindfulness and stress relief are crucial for student-athletes.
Hazard said, “The team loves working with Mrs. Rollins. We all feel like the things she teaches us are so helpful on and off the field. And the majority of the team actually implements her practices into our daily lives.” The girls team collectively believes that every team at WHS should have a coach similar to Mrs. Rollins to help with their off-field mental health and focus.
