Getting bored of your everyday workout? Tired of doing the same old warm-up, workout, cool down and stretch routine? Have you ever thought of trying yoga? It’s not just a stretching class. There’s a lot more to it.

The Drury Barber Fitness Center offers a well-rounded free fitness schedule for day school students and employees with a premium wellness discount. There are classes every day but Friday, and they range from Cardio Tone to B-Fit to Yoga.

Anyone can do yoga

Kiera Herndon, one of the professionals who leads these fitness classes on campus, explained the details about campus yoga. “People usually think flexibility when they think of yoga, which is only one aspect of it,” she stated. “It’s not only a great workout, but it can be a fun challenge to learn new poses, or just stress relief after a tense day. The nice thing is that it can be five minutes or an hour and still be beneficial.”

Herndon admitted that she had little experience with yoga before getting certified and “ended up really enjoying it.” She said, “The more I learned about yoga, the more I saw how it could benefit anyone and everyone especially with strength backgrounds. It’s so different and personal.”

(Photo via unsplash.com)

It doesn’t matter what your goals are. You can be that guy who casually works out once or twice a month. You can be that buff lady in the gym who lifts more than her body weight. You can be a rock-climber or a trapeze artist. Yoga is about setting your own goals, working with yourself and someone like Herndon, and being the ‘you’ that you want to be.

One of the pros of yoga is that you work on more than just flexibility. Herndon says that balance, coordination, strength and mobility are things she strives to achieve in her classes. Learning how your mind and body work together is a big plus too. It’s about figuring out your limits and how you can challenge yourself without getting hurt.

If you’re that person who likes to be challenged with fast movements and intense transitions, Herndon suggests looking into a more power-focused class. These are going to embody those quick motions, and quick transitions while also making sure those muscles feel that burn. If you’re not that person, there are a lot more casual and slower-paced yoga options too! Never fear, it’s a very inclusive workout.

When asked what she would tell students who have toyed with the idea of yoga but haven’t quite decided for or against yet, Herndon took a moment to answer. “I’d tell those students,” she said “that it’s worth trying once. There are a lot of stigmas—especially for athletes or males in particular—who think yoga isn’t working out and just stretching. I’m telling them that they will be challenged, they will sweat, and by the end, they’ll be glad they tried it.”

And come on, who doesn’t want to end a workout with laying on the floor for a while, just taking in the moment and relaxing? If you’re interested, make sure to stop by the Barber Fitness Center during the week to check out a class!

Written by Cheyenne Heavener.