VESTAL (WBNG) – Spouses and partners gathered at the Vestal Public Library on Monday, February 14, for a wellness-focused Valentine’s Day – participating in a partner yoga class to bring them closer together.

Course instructor Ramona Lena says yoga is a great way for couples to bond and be together in the present. She said it’s a unique way to escape the pressures people face both inside and outside of relationships.

“Yoga is really good for three things that are important in life — your physical body, your mental state, and your spiritual state,” Lena said. “I think doing this with a partner or someone you love is a great way to share that physical challenge.”

Certified mental health counselor Kevin Hope said partners who participate in physical activities together can help reduce their stress and lead to a healthier, more stable relationship.

“You do a lot of stressful things with that person every day just to keep the family together and functioning,” he said. “That’s yoga, the attempt to de-stress, reduce anxiety and relax together.”

Hope said yoga is also a good way for couples to build trust and communication with each other.

“One of the biggest causes of divorce is lack of communication or misunderstanding,” Hope said. “This activity – doing it together increases the feeling of trust and communication.”