Hundreds of student athletes at James Madison University traded in their cleats and knee pads for a little relaxation. They took on a new venture to help their bodies and their minds, and they found their centers at a yoga studio in Harrisonburg.

Jeff Newman was excited to welcome the new students at his East-West yoga studio in Harrisonburg. His students, on the other hand, didn't know what to expect from the classes.

"I went in blinded and didn't really know what I was doing," said offensive guard Austin Lane.

Lane also said that to other people not on the team, may not expect these teammates in the yoga studio either.

"The impression is that big people or guys don't do yoga, and I'm close to 300 pounds."

Offensive tackle Erik Buchholz said that he understands why these stretching and breathing exercises are so important when he hits the field.

"Flexibility and balance is good. You always have to have a good core and center of balance when you're on the field, so you're not getting knocked around or anything like that," said Buchholz, "this is going to make me knock around kids even more now."

Newman said that he has seen this program grow beyond his original goals.

"We envisioned having about 200 student athletes and about 12 teams. In a week it expanded to 350 and 17 teams."

East West Yoga and JMU's Athletic Program developed a partnership to hold classes. Jeffrey Bourne, JMU's Athletic Director said that students are often trained in strength and conditioning.

"Sometime within their career they may experience injury, so we did it to keep them more healthy and to make sure they didn't stand a chance of being injured," said Bourne.

JMU students in this class have been only been doing it for a month, and they have already felt it helping.

"It was my first time a month ago, and I'm already feeling improvements," said Lane.

JMU's Athletic Director said he and other coaches will monitor the program for a couple of years. They want to make sure it's helping students enhance their conditioning.

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