Girls on the brink of growing up, but not quite ready for the stress that often comes along with maturing, are called tweens.

The girls are no longer considered a young child but are not exactly a teenager, either. The in-between stage from about 10 to 13 years old can be a struggle for many girls.

A local yoga studio has a program they said helps pre-teens learn to relax and learn to trust themselves.

Family bonds falter, school and sports collide and social pressures increase during the awkward stage before girls become women.

"Sometimes being a girl can add extra pressure on you. Like with popular people and not popular that can be really hard sometimes," Emily said. "You always have to worry about if they are talking about you."

"It's pretty stressful like during school and extra classes," Alanna said.

Jai Yoga in Narberth said its tween yoga class is a chance for girls to unwind.

Instructor Esther Auberbach said she guides the pre-teens during a series of 10 classes. She helps them feel more connected to themselves, which leads to better decision making.

"We want them to listen to their gut," Auberbach said. "So that when they walk out of here and they are in a situation that may compromise what they really believe, that they should listen to their gut and maybe not do what they think they shouldn't do."

Auberbach called the classes a kind of guidebook for girls.

During the workout, non-violence, respecting the body and taming competition is underscored.

"And they can speak up for themselves and say no that doesn't feel right. I don't want to do that and have it be OK," Auberbach said.

She said results could be immediate.

"This is like the only class you're allowed to fall asleep in," Auberbach said.

"I feel like all the stress I had before class is gone away," Emily said.

"It just like calms me down," Alanna said.

"I could have used something like this when I was younger," Auberbach said

A series of new classes starts next week.

The cost is about $120 but you can give the first class a try for $15.

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Jai Yoga