Social releases from classes and work are not always enough to escape from the burden of daily life.

Next week, UW-Eau Claire Recreation will begin offering Acu Yoga, Chinese 18 Postures and Tai-Chi for faculty, staff, community members and students in the evenings.

The Acu Yoga and Chinese Postures are a series for five or six evenings from February to March, and Tai-Chi lasts from February to April. All of the classes have course fees.

Vicki Funne-Reed, associate director of intramural sports, said she organizes the educational courses the department offers by finding instructors and making schedules.

The classes have been offered for three years for both semesters, and Funne-Reed said the idea for the classes came primarily from student requests.

The classes don’t require any equipment, she said. “All they have to do is come in comfortable clothing.”

Both the Acu Yoga and Tai-Chi classes are being taught by certified health and wellness counselors. The Chinese 18 Postures is taught by a certified state-licensed acupuncturist and nurse practitioner.

Funne-Reed said all of the instructors are highly trained.

“They have to have a very strong understanding of anatomy and physiology,” she said.

There are cheaper alternatives for students who want to be involved with yoga.

Senior Liz Rodgers teaches a yoga class that is offered twice a week for students who purchased a multiple-class pass. The pass is $20 for unlimited spin, step, power spinning and yoga. Passes can be purchased at University Recreation in Hilltop Center.

Rodgers said she has taken the Chinese 18 Postures class, which involves different stretches that release tension in your body.

“I think (the classes) help me be more aware of what is going on around me,” she said.

Rodgers practiced yoga on her own, and that is what made her want to teach it to others, she said.

“I think it is something that our students today really need,” Rodgers said.

Funne-Reed said she has gone to all of the classes.

“I utilize some of the techniques almost every day,” Funne-Reed said. “(It) brings about calmness.”

Although these exercises are calming, they have some difficulties.

“It’s all about trying to be right there with the exercise that you’re doing,” Funne-Reed said.

Slowing down, flexibility and clearing your mind are all some challenges in the classes, she said.

“I truly think that any age can benefit equally from each and every one of these classes,” Funne-Reed said. “I think that’s one of the beauties of this type of exercise.”