Many people get into yoga because of its health benefits.

The practice is linked to a lot of positive physical and mental outcomes.

One aspect about the discipline that is often less talked about in the West is its association with spirituality.

Think of spirituality as the search for something sacred beyond the scope of the material world.

A new yoga program by St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church in Vancouver hopes to provide greater appreciation of this side of the ancient system.

“We believe in spirituality, and being able to be spiritual in different ways,” said Diane Mitchell, executive director of operations with the West End–based church, in a phone interview with the Straight.

Amid all the chaos in the world, spirituality could bestow serenity to people.

“It brings us peace,” Mitchell explained. “And it brings an inner sense of self, and a higher awareness of the world and a higher power, however you want to express that.”

Over at St. Andrew’s-Wesley (100-1022 Nelson Street), visitors can explore their spiritual self through prayer. Or they can do the same by walking the labyrinth that is painted onto the church’s floor.

“You can walk the path that has candles all around it, and you meditate as you walk,” Mitchell said about the circular trail.

“You can chant…And the walk can be as fast or slow as you want it to be.”

The yoga sessions are from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will be held every Thursday until June 30. The program will be led by yoga instructor Regina Zhen.

Mitchell recalled that St. Andrew’s-Wesley wanted to find new ways to meet the needs of the community and for the public to use the church more often.

“And so we came up with offering yoga because it’s a calm place, it’s a beautiful place to do yoga, and it’s a bit of quiet in the heart in the city,” the executive director said.

It’s another way for the church to become a part of the spiritual journey of people.

“Some people don’t want to pray but they want to do yoga to be spiritual,” Mitchell said.

“Some people don’t want to do yoga but they want to walk our labyrinth. And then some people want to pray, and so you could do all three of those things. Or you could pick the one that matches what you want to do,” Mitchell added.