You can take yoga in the SRWC this fall but don’t expect your typical daily workout when you go. In fact instructor Mimi Smith said, it’s kind of aloof that yoga would be offered in an exercise facility.

“Even though we are in a fitness recreation center, yoga is not considered a form of exercise,” said Smith. “It’s really a wonderful approach to well being. We work with the physical body, we find the level of flexibility, strength, balance; everything that we were born with that we still have. We kind of recall those by remembering how to do that. Yoga is defined as the union of the mind and body.”

According to the class description, the union of the mind and body is achieved through mediation and breathing techniques. But Smith said, it’s much deeper than that. Those familiar with classes like “Hot Yoga” and “Power Yoga”, may be taken aback by Smith’s class, which gets back to the roots of the original art form.

“We bring that ancient teaching over here to our western civilization, where making money is a big focus,” said Smith. “They take the aspect of the yoga and turn it into a marketing scheme. People say there is no way I can become a pretzel. There’s no way I can do that power yoga stuff. Until you try it, and you find that instructor who touches that part of you where it all makes sense. I think you become accepting of all the natural feel good feelings. It just makes life easier.”

The class is supposed to be an hour long and limited to 20 students but Smith encourages them to show up as often and as long as they can.

“The system here I don’t get involved in. It takes away from the openness of the class,” said Smith. “I think everyone on campus, if [everyone] wanted to do yoga, we would just move it outside and do yoga. What I have found in yoga practice everything happens for a reason, so that everyone can be included. I want to them to come when they can and enjoy as much yoga as they can.”