RALEIGH, N.C. — A group of senior citizens in the Triangle is aiming to put their health first amid the pandemic. 

Oak Street Health is located off Capital Boulevard in Raleigh. It functions as a doctor’s office but it also provides classes and activities.

Virginia Crowder never imagined yoga would be part of her life, but when the pandemic hit, she knew something in had to change.

“I’m sitting at home watching too much TV, or I’m cooking too much," she said. "I need to get up and out into some kind of activities to keep my mind off of this COVID virus.”

Once a week, Crowder participates in a chair yoga class. She says it gets her in a great headspace.

“I get the spirit, the relaxing spirit of yoga when I do yoga," Crowder said. "My mind - it relaxes my mind and if I feel like I’m going to have a tense day, it relaxes my muscles.”

Participants wear masks and are careful not to get too close to one another. Instructor Dwanda Doughty says it’s important for seniors to pay attention to their health, especially in the middle of a pandemic.

"Something I love to do is help people, this is just a part of that," Doughty said. "It is making me feel complete being able to teach yoga to people in a safe manner.”

The outreach director for Oak Street Health, Kimberly Ross, says they decided to open the community room this summer even with COVID still around because they want to give these seniors an outlet and an opportunity to keep their mind, body and spirit in check.

Oak Street Health says they adhere to all CDC guidelines.