Yoga classes held in Airlie Gardens

WILMINGTON — You may have taken a walk through beautiful Airlie Gardens or taken a relaxing yoga class in a gym. Now the two experiences are combining into one.

Michelle Crittenden teaches yoga at Airlie Gardens. She said, “Yoga: the definition actually means union and that means different things to different people… The connection between your mind and your body, the body and the breath.”

At eight in the morning every Friday in October you can take the class. Bend near the bottle chapel and stretch in the spring garden.

Yoga class participant Candace Edwards said, “It’s a nice refreshing way to get your day started. Because you have a little bit cooler temperatures can focus on your breathing and relax.”

Crittenden said, “It’s pretty amazing to be on the ground feeling the earth, feeling the breeze hearing the birds.”

Pople of all ages and levels can get a good workout while taking in the scenery.

Crittenden said, “It’s a very multi-level class. I try to offer many modifications so if you’re a beginner or an advanced student you can get a lot out of the practice.”

Edwards said, “It also improves flexibility and core strength. So it makes me feel a little bit more tones without having a very intensive aerobic workout.”

For some the class isn’t just about getting in shape, or getting relaxed — it’s about getting well.

The yoga instructor says as you twist and turn and bend and stretch you become centered and relaxed.

The four week yoga series costs $35. If you want to just take one class, it costs $10 for Airlie Garden members and $12 for non-members.