Roll out your yoga mats because the hot new exercise trends are yoga and barre classes.

Yoga, while not exactly new, has always had some of the best benefits a workout can produce according to draxe.com. Several CHS students say that it has also recently gained more popularity across the board but spec. Its sidekick, barre, mixes elements of yoga, pilates and dance, incorporating exercise equipment to create a well-rounded, yet fun, workout.

While yoga and barre might seem less intense than other types of physical activity, they actually have great benefits for your body. A few of barre’s many benefits include that it increases flexibility, tones muscles and works out your entire body. Yoga, while it accomplishes those aspects too, leaves the yogi in a zen state of mind afterward, as it is a spiritual, mental and physical experience.

Spanish teacher Karen Britto attends weekly yoga classes and enjoys the physical challenges and aspects the most.

“I go to yoga to challenge myself to do new poses, not as much to relax. I already feel I’m a pretty relaxed person, but I love to push myself and see what I can do. My ultimate goal is a handstand,” Britto said.

Yoga and barre studios are sprouting up locally, drawing young adults to give this form of fitness a try. Popular studios in Monmouth County include Karma Barre and Yoga in Spring Lake, Pure Barre located in Red Bank, Manalapan and Spring Lake and Inlet Yoga in Manasquan.

These new fitness trends have been appearing in conjunction with sports as well, and students are more than happy to work more to get better effects. Sophomore Mia Gallo of Matawan says she takes a weekly yoga class at her dance studio that she has looked forward to every week since the classes have been implemented. According to Gallo, the classes help the dancers “gain strength, flexibility, and most importantly, lets [them] de-stress mid-week and take a break from [their] rigorous schedules.”

“It’s something I can do for an hour or so and just let go of whatever is bothering me and totally chill out,” Gallo said.

“It’s one of the best things for clearing my mind, not even mentioning all the amazing things it’s doing for my body.”