From last semester's Yoga-a-thon to Earth Bound Trading Company's growing line of meditation enhancers, yoga a popular exercise based on meditation, flexibility and strength is everywhere.

UT is no exception to this trend.

TRECS offers at least one yoga class nearly every day, and specialized studios are popping up all around Knoxville.

Taylor Drake, freshman in geology, tries to work some form of meditation or yoga into her schedule around four times a week.

After working on a more health-conscious lifestyle three years ago, she decided to try yoga based on the benefits she heard came with the exercise. After trying it with a friend, she said she was hooked.

Now, she even seeks to practice outdoors, further adding to the element of relaxation yoga offers.

"I used to suffer from extreme anxiety and stress," Drake said. "Yoga has helped me tremendously with that and is a huge reason why I continue to do it."

Minta Chaiprasongsuk, a graduate student in plant sciences, was working in Thailand when she first discovered yoga.

Often involved in sports, she realized that even after a tiring workout, she would be unable to sleep due to stress. After trying yoga, she realized she slept significantly better, a reason she decided to continue on with the exercise.

She also noticed her instructor looked miraculously young for her, and upon further research, discovered yoga improves blood flow, causing skin to retain elasticity and vitality. It was then she says she fell in love with yoga.

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Yoga helps students unwind from school stress | Arts & Culture