By Joe Duffy

With no expertise required, people of all levels of skill could be found in attendance at The Clarice. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

Group fitness instructor Grace Tietz takes the lead while demonstrating proper technique to the class. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

Hana Bulow, demonstrating the strength and poise of an experienced student. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

Associate executive director of The Clarice, Erica Bondarev Rapach demonstrating herself to be one of the more seasoned yogis in the room. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

Throughout the class, the sounds of the Anacostia String Quartet created a smooth and welcoming atmosphere that lent perfectly to a relaxing yoga session. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

RecWell Group Fitness Director Tami Bergan at the end of a long and patient session. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

In the classes final moments, student return to their initial resting position; an apt bookend to a relaxing hour. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

Amidst the crushing realities of politics, schoolwork and modern life in general, the chance to unplug and unwind for an hour is not one to be passed upon.

Run by this university’s Recreation & Wellness Division and hosted by The Clarice, students were treated to a night of yoga and live musical accompaniment. For a little over an hour, the entirety of the Grand Pavilion at the entrance of The Clarice was covered in a tessellation of yoga mats, making the traversal of this normally enormous space all but impossible.

The event was open to students, faculty and yogi of all levels. While marketing for this event seemed minimal, the turnout of about 40 people could not have been less representative of that fact.

While RecWell staff Tami Bergan and Grace Tietz instructed from the head of the crowd, just a few feet from them sat a four-piece orchestra: The Anacostia String Quartet. In an attempt to make the already soothing act of yoga even more so, the entire hour of instruction was accompanied by the dulcet tones of classical music.

The product of the night was a satisfied crowd and a successful program, one that will hopefully see a return to the university community in the near future.

Featured Photo Credit: In the classes final moments, student return to their initial resting position; an apt bookend to a relaxing hour. (Joe Duffy/Bloc Photographer)

Joe Duffy can be reached at jrduffy5994@gmail.com.