Riley Anchors Defense for New Zealand

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

As they begin a long and grueling season, Palisades High football players have what they’ve called a “secret weapon” they believe will give them an edge over opponents in the fourth quarter.

Since fall camp started, part of their training regimen has been weekly classes at Goorus, a local yoga studio on Sunset Boulevard, only a short walk from campus.

“We’re delighted to be working with the football team,” said Gretchen Lightfoot, co-owner of Goorus with her husband John, a Pali High graduate. “Our program is based on the belief that yoga is a unifying tool for creating health, well-being and a deep spiritual connection. Our goal is to provide a fun environment featuring a ‘living yoga’ approach to life.”

The football team is frequently trained by Goorus instructor Al Tavera, who enjoys the classes as much as the players do.

“Sometimes it’s big linemen, sometimes it’s quarterbacks and receivers, about 15 at a time but they take turns,” Tavera said. “The first time, a lot of them thought it was going to be easy but they soon realized it’s not. They get better as they do it more and more. I tell them the names of the poses. The feedback has been great and the important thing for them is just getting used to their bodies.”   

Tavera’s classes focus on alignment and breath and are good for all levels His classes are good for all levels, starting with basics.

“I genuinely love going to yoga,” said senior wide receiver, safety and kicker Jake Taitelman. “It gets me more relaxed, in the right frame of mind and teaches me to block out all the extra stuff.”

Taitelman, who played soccer for 10 years, will be asked to do a variety of kickoffs–pooches, squibs and onside attempts.

Senior tight end and middle linebacker Quinn Perry has also benefited from yoga classes.

“I’ve gone several times now and in addition to team bonding  and relaxation, it warms you up for practice,” Perry said. “I enjoy the meditation part most.”

Senior wide receiver/cornerback Pierre Kaku finds the stretching exercises most helpful because they improve flexibility.

“Going to yoga is a big part of our team. Who else does that?” Kaku said. “We think it’s going to be a big advantage, it helps us get mentally stronger and the best part is when you feel that muscle burn and have to hold your position.”

Gretchen trained with Carmen Fitzgibbon, Thomas Taubman, and Gigi Snyder of YogaWorks in Los Angeles and her teaching experience includes YogaWorks, Neutrogena, Fancy Feet Dance Studio, the Palisades Library, the Palisades Recreation Center and she has numerous private clients.

Goorus offers 30 classes a week and John and Gretchen Lightfoot look forward to attending Palisades’ season opener Friday. They have owned the studio since June 2015. Their son Declan is a sophomore at Pali High and a martial artist at Max Impact.

“They’ve donated their time and facility and we’re so appreciative,” Hyde said of the Lightfoots. “It’s all about stretching, flexibility and concentrating. It’s a big part of Stanford’s program and they’re known for their player development. We want our kids to be active in the community and the staff like having us come so it’s a win-win.”