Pretzels, toast, popcorn, and jelly beans. Just like Charlie Brown had for Thanksgiving.

That’s also what the weekly Yoga Flow class had for their event, as snacks were brought.

The event, titled “Friendsgiving Flow,” held in the Group Exercise room in the Rec Center, welcomed everyone, from first-time participants who decided to join at the last minute to usual participants. 

Freshman Emma Carson, who is a special education major, joined on impulse. 

“My friend and I were going to the gym, and we saw the poster for it, so we decided to join spontaneously,” said Carson. “And we were like, ‘Let’s just go to it tonight.’” 

Seven LED candles were spread around the room, with plenty of mats for students. 

Each mat contained a pillow and two blue bolsters for support. 

The instructor, Ryan Ems, is a graduate student and the graduate coordinator of fitness and wellness. Ems conducted and led the group of seven or so student participants in the yoga flow. 

The yoga class kicked off with some more challenging movements for students, before Ems gradually guided them to relaxing movements. 

Ems said that he tries to make the yoga classes more aimed at whatever may be going on in the world, hence the Thanksgiving-themed event. 

After the exercises, which lasted around 15 minutes, the group of students broke out and got some of the snacks that were offered, and came back to watch ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’.

“I did this with my dad as a child,” said Ems. “We would watch this and go out, and get different snacks that Snoopy made in the movie, it’s almost like a homage to my dad.”

The class offers a space for stress relief and community well-being, as well as building a community. 

Umesh Dahal, a junior international student from Nepal who studies computer science, said that it provides a moment of calmness. 

“It gives you a personal space just to relax and think about yourself,” said Dahal. “And it’s a good time to do it before the finals.”

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