As sunlight streamed in through white curtains onto a wood paneled floor, Elizabeth Busby and Sue Anne Kalkus leaned forward and extended their arms out into deep stretches atop rolled blankets serving as yoga mats. The two Roman women took part in a yin yoga class with instructor Jessica Payton at SpringStone Yoga on Broad Street in March.

Active throughout her life, Busby delved into yin yoga where poses are relaxed and held for minutes at a time when high-energy classes became too taxing. She said practicing yin yoga gives her more energy during the week, increased flexibility and helps to ease her aches and pains.

“I can sit on the floor and get up,” Busby said with a laugh.

With several local options for yoga classes from gyms to small studios, Romans are feeling the benefit of yoga practice. From active classes that test muscle strength and balance to gentle classes that promote deep tissue stretch, there are many options from which to choose.

According to SpringStone owner and instructor Lynne Jacobs, yoga is for everyone. You don’t have to be flexible or fit a certain criteria to become involved.

“If you can breathe, you can do yoga,” Jacobs said. “It’s much more than just physical movements.”

Yoga consists not only of certain movements and stretching but also focused relaxation, breath work and meditation. Jacobs said a common misconception about yoga is that you have to be a certain personality to enjoy it. Even those with a high-paced and stressful lifestyle can experience a renewed sense of well being and peace through yoga practice.

Yoga 4 Rome is a family-oriented yoga space located at Healing Hands at 423 Broad St. that accepts donations per class. Attendees are welcomed into a carpeted room with orange and yellow walls with a painted flower decorating one side.

Instructor Beth Hughes said the center caters mainly to beginners and those who can’t usually afford extra expenses. She sees many college students, retirees and people between jobs come into the studio to seek a refuge from the stress of daily life.

According to Hughes, yoga helps to improve one’s mental state and physical state. The center offers various classes such as power yoga for those seeking active exercise, child-oriented yoga play time and also chair and floor yoga, which caters to the elderly and those with rehabilitation needs.

“Sometimes people have to be physical to reach that place of calm,” Hughes said. “They have to move their bodies and get that moving energy out of it. For some people who are struggling, working multiple jobs and keeping families together, this is their time for themselves.”

For more information on classes at SpringStone Yoga and Yoga 4 Rome, visit www.springstoneyoga.com and www.yogarome.com.