From Class to Calm: Building Balance Through Yoga
Yoga is a powerful and accessible way for college students and staff to care for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, especially during busy days.

At RRC Polytech, yoga is offered as a welcoming pause in the middle of the day: a chance to step away from screens, deadlines, and stress, and reconnect with your body and breath. Our lunch-hour yoga classes are open to all levels of experience, whether you’re brand new to yoga or returning to a familiar practice. Mats and blocks are provided, so all you need to bring is yourself and a willingness to try something new.

Research shows that yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and mood, support physical strength and mobility, while encouraging emotional balance. These benefits are especially meaningful in a college environment, where mental load and long hours can take a toll.
Our current offerings reflect this holistic approach to well-being. Both instructors create inclusive, supportive classes that emphasize mindful movement, breath awareness, and accessibility.
- Monday Hatha Yoga with Philip Rosario, in-person only at the Exchange District Campus downtown.
- Wednesday Gentle Flow Yoga with Jaimie Bristow, in-person, live streamed and recorded at the Notre Dame Campus.
Whether you’re looking to manage stress, move your body gently, improve focus, or simply take a mindful break at lunch, our college yoga classes offer a supportive space to prioritize your well-being, on and off the mat.
Monday Hatha Yoga with Philip Rosario

Meet Philip Rosario, your Monday Hatha Yoga instructor at EDC downtown. Teaching since 2015, Philip brings a calm, welcoming style that makes yoga accessible for beginners and experienced students alike. His classes focus on steady movement, breath, and mindful pauses that help students and staff slow down, manage stress, and reset during busy college weeks.
With experience teaching across Winnipeg in studios, community spaces, schools, and workplaces, Philip’s approach is inclusive and trauma-informed. Drawing from Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, and Restorative practices, his classes support mental health, focus, and overall well-being, offering students a supportive space to recharge, breathe, and feel more balanced.
Wednesday Gentle Flow Yoga with Jaimie Bristow

Take a midweek pause with Wednesday Gentle Flow Yoga, designed to support your mental and physical well-being. Led by Jaimie Bristow, this class blends slow, mindful movement with conscious breath to help ease tension, improve focus, and restore balance. Gentle Flow is accessible for all levels and perfect for students and staff looking for a calming, supportive practice.
Attend in person, join the live stream, or access the recorded class, whatever fits your schedule. This flexible, inclusive yoga experience offers a steady reset for your body and mind during the week.
Further Reading
- Harvard Health – Yoga for better mental health
- Healthline – Yoga for stress relief and anxiety management
- National Holistic Health Partners (NHPC) – Research on yoga benefits
- Johns Hopkins Medicine – 9 Benefits of Yoga
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) – Yoga for Health: What the Science Says
