By Kiley Krzyzek

Got six bucks and an hour to kill? Take the quick 10 minute drive to West Hartford Yoga and try a relaxing session of Gentle Yoga. A comparable local studio charges $20 per drop-in session, so this is an awesome deal.

It’s BYOM (bring your own mat) or you can buy one there. Ladies, here’s a real excuse to wear yoga pants! Store your shoes and belongings in a cubby and pay at the counter. The receptionist will direct you to a big beautiful studio with relaxing music playing in the background. You can lay out your mat and borrow a block or blanket to help you with your poses.

The class consists of breathing exercises and a routine of classic poses like downward dog and child’s pose. You’ll appreciate that they don’t go into detail about the spiritual meaning of yoga or anything–you get enough lectures at school. It’s a fantastic class for beginners or anyone who wants to go at a slower pace. My guess is you’re going to yoga to de-stress, not to get more overwhelmed than you were in the first place.

If you’re a veteran at the exercise regimen, you can opt for WHY’s signature class “Power Yoga 1” which is only six dollars. It’s a more vigorous class and isn’t recommended for beginners. I must warn you though, instructors in the class may come around and physically adjust your poses, so if you’re uncomfortable with strangers casually touching you, stick to the gym.

Otherwise this yoga class is a way to free your mind from everything for a bit and you’ll finish feeling refreshed, as if you just awoke from a nap.  Check out www.westhartfordyoga.com for the class schedule.