Located upstairs of general surgeon Larry Peebles Kealakekua office is Big Island Yoga Center, a serene, welcoming space for those seeking peace, self-discovery, balance and fitness. For more than two decades, its been a sanctuary for those who share a passion for yoga.

On a recent Monday morning, instructor and former director Julie Benkofsky-Webb led a class. Her calming voice guided students through a series of positions, performed with precision and seeming ease.

Benkofsky-Webb, who has taught yoga for 12 years, has found it enhances her roles as a massage therapist and therapeutic touch teacher. She believes yoga can benefit everyone, helping expand ones body, mind and spirit, while also allowing a fresh sense of self-awareness and discoveries.

The physical practice always leads us inside, she added.

The fun part for Benkofsky-Webb is seeing how students transform, whether its mastering a pose, sleeping better or overcoming an injury. She likes that the center is a volunteer-fueled grassroots organization that is like a second family for many. She said the center would not be able to function without the volunteer efforts not only of its teachers, but also its students.

We have student volunteers in a variety of areas at the studio who make it possible for us to thrive and stay in touch with our community. We so deeply appreciate their service, she said.

For 25 years, Big Island Yoga Center has served the community, offering classes and workshops for the study and practice of yoga. It is believed to be West Hawaiis oldest yoga center.

The center is celebrating this milestone at 6 p.m. Saturday at Christ Church Episcopal on Konawaena School Road in Kealakekua. The evening includes a dinner catered by Lotus Cafe, entertainment and a tribute to those who have made an impact on the center. The dinner cost is $25 per person and reservations should be made by today.

The center is also launching its membership program. Membership starts at $50 and has tax-deductible benefits and other perks. The first 25 people to sign up receive a complimentary 25th anniversary tote bag.

In its database, the center has about 1,000 people who have taken classes, but only a few hundred are regulars, said administrator Karin Shaw.

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Yoga center marking 25th anniversary with special dinner