Whether you’re a novice or an expert, the Elizabethton City School system is now offering affordable weekly community yoga classes. Yoga is an addition to the Community Involvement Program which includes a kids swim club, adult water aerobics and a group fitness class.

The yoga classes are held in the West Side Elementary School cafeteria and yoga mats are provided. Classes take place on Monday from 5:45-7 p.m., on Thursday from 4-5:15 p.m. and on Saturday from 9-10:15 a.m.

Certified yoga instructor and registered nurse Teresa Robinson is teaching the classes, which she said have been a success thus far.

“I have been doing yoga for several years in the Tri-Cities and know how important it is,” said Robinson. “It unites the mind, the body and the spirit. It’s good for your joints, heart and mind, and it can be good aerobic exercise — there are so many things that it helps.”

She said it is an excellent activity to improve flexibility, to relax from the stress of the week and to build strength.

“Yoga is for all bodies, and people of all ages and all sizes and all walks of life come to yoga because they know what the benefits are,” she said. “I would encourage anybody with a desire to try it or to see come what it’s all about.”

The classes are structured for those that are beginners or advanced, and Robinson said moves can be modified to accommodate everyone’s needs and abilities.

“Even in the advanced class, we can modify from simple to intermediate to difficult, so if you can stay at step one, you do that, and as you do it more, you can advance. We honor your body,” she said.

She said beyond the physical benefits, yoga is a time to quiet the mind and to focus on breathing and relaxing mind and body.

“I’m excited that people are coming and enjoying it and coming back,” Robinson said. “I hope others will give it a try.”Advanced class takes place on Monday and is designed to challenge yoga practitioners to take their skills to the next level. Thursday classes are for beginners, and Saturdays are a morning flow class in which everyone is welcome to attend and begin the weekend with yoga.

Robinson said the classes are more affordable than most at $8 per class for anyone in the community or $6 for ECS employees and students. Payment may be made in cash or by check, and advanced notice to attend class is not necessary.

Guests are asked to arrive a few minutes early and to bring their own mats if they have them, though mats will be provided to those who do not. Water, lightweight clothing and a small hand towel are recommended.

Robinson said they are interested in hiring another instructor, so if anyone is certified, they may apply online or at Central Office.

The class schedule is posted online, as well as on Facebook. For more information, call 423-297-0093.