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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Fitness

Balance & Stretching on Tuesdays in September at River House

$25

with Katie Smith

Calendar Sep 2, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 5 weeks

A low-impact class designed to improve flexibility, range of motion, and stability through a combination of stretching exercises and balance-focused movements, to enhance overall mobility and reduce fall risk. The class incorporates various static and dynamic stretches alongside exercises that challenge balance and coordination across the body. 

Equipment needed: 

  • Yoga Mat,
  • yoga strap (optional)
  • light dumbbells (optional)

Katie is on a mission to empower everyone with the mantra "get stronger to live longer." As an ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor since 2018 she brings her passion for health and wellness to the St. Augustine community through a variety of engaging classes. Specializing in Body Pump, Indoor Cycle, Boot Camp, Core & Flexibility, and Active Older Adult Classes, Katie ensures her sessions are both enjoyable and challenging. Her journey is a testament to the adage that age is just a number, as she achieved her lifelong ambition of becoming a fitness instructor at 44.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 9 to 10 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Chair Yoga on Wednesdays in September at River House

$25

with Rebecca Dawson

Calendar Sep 3, 2025 at 10:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Discover a yoga practice that has therapeutic benefits for seniors who may not be able to stand for long periods of time or may be uncomfortable seated on the floor.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Line Dance on Wednesdays in September at River House

$25

with Ramona Walter

Calendar Sep 3, 2025 at 11:45 am, runs for 4 weeks

Come learn the fun dance art of Line Dance with a lively variety of music including Pop, Country, and Latin.

Wear comfortable shoes, preferably with leather bottoms.

Ramona is the former owner of Mona Gail Dance Center. She studied Ballroom dance under Jack Kalan and became a teacher at the age of sixteen. While working with Fred Astaire she became the Tri-State Dance Director. Ramona is a multi National Championship winner. She has experience in choreography and her local students won first place in the "I Love Dance Competition" at World Golf Village in 2020.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 from 11:45 to 12:45 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Tap Dancing Level 3 on Wednesdays in September at River House

$3750

with Judy Woodruff

Calendar Sep 3, 2025 at 1:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

For the experienced tap dancer with a good command of tap technique and vocabulary this intermediate level class emphasizes choreography. Practice includes a variety of time steps, more syncopated rhythms, developing speed with clarity, and performance quality. Choreography includes new work and some dances from the Matanzas Tap performance repertory.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Functional Body Strength on Wednesdays in September at River House

$25

with Katie Smith

Calendar Sep 3, 2025 at 2:45 pm, runs for 4 weeks

This class focuses on building real-world strength through functional movement patterns using dumbbells. You'll work through full-body exercises designed to improve muscular strength, stability, mobility, and coordination. Target every muscle group and mimic natural motion—helping you move better in everyday life, prevent injury, and boost overall daily performance.  

All fitness levels welcome. Modifications and progressions are offered for beginners and advanced clients alike.

Perfect for anyone wanting a stronger, more functional body without the need for machines or heavy equipment.  Build strong, stable, and efficient movement patterns that carry over into your daily activities, sport, or active lifestyle—one dumbbell at a time!

Equipment needed: 

  • Dumbbells (anywhere from 2-15 pounds),
  • yoga mat,
  • sneakers,
  • towel,
  • water bottle

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 from 2:45 to 3:45 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Chair Yoga on Thursdays in September at River House

$1875

with Rebecca Dawson

Calendar Sep 4, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 3 weeks

Discover a yoga practice that has therapeutic benefits for seniors who may not be able to stand for long periods of time or may be uncomfortable seated on the floor.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, September 4, 11, 18 (no class session on Sept. 25) from 9:00 - 10:00 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Belly Dance Basics and Beyond on Thursdays in September at River House

$25

with Gina Marie Newman

Calendar Sep 4, 2025 at 9:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Welcome to Level 2 Belly Dance, the next step in your dance journey with Gina! This class is specifically designed for students who have successfully completed Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class and are ready to build on their foundational skills. Please check class requirements for additional requirements.

In Level 2, we will shift our focus towards learning to perform choreography, integrating the movements and techniques you have mastered into beautiful, fluid routines.

What You'll Learn:

  • Choreography Integration: Learn to combine various bellydance movements into seamless choreography.
  • Performance Techniques: Discover how to enhance your dance with expressive gestures, emotional engagement, and stage presence.
  • Group Dynamics: Practice dancing in synchrony with a group, honing your ability to perform in unison with others.

Class Structure:

  • Warm-Up: Gentle stretching and conditioning to prepare your body for dance.
  • Technique Review: Quick recap of key movements from Level 1 to ensure a strong foundation.
  • Choreography Breakdown: Step-by-step instruction on new dance routines, with a focus on mastering each section before moving on.
  • Drills and Repetition: Practice sequences to build muscle memory and precision.
  • Performance Practice: Opportunities to perform the learned choreography, with constructive feedback from Gina.

Requirements:

  • Completion of Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class or equivalent experience.
  • Comfortable dance attire and a willingness to explore and express through movement.

Barefoot or dance shoes. No sneakers. Comfortable clothing such as yoga wear or something you can move freely in. A coin belt or hip scarf is fun to wear if you have one.

Gina Marie is Director of Blue Lotus World Dance and is a certified SharQui Belly Dance Fitness Instructor.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, September 4, 11, 18, 25 from 9:30 - 10:30 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Tai Chi and Qigong on Thursdays in September at River House

$25

with Sharon Infante

Calendar Sep 4, 2025 at 10:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Tai Chi Easy™ for Health and Vitality is a simplified method of Tai Chi. If you have tried other tai chi forms and couldn’t stick with it give this one a try. It is readily accessible and adaptable for anyone, even those who are dealing with chronic pain and other conditions. Developed by Dr. Roger Jahnke, O.M.D., Tai Chi Easy™ incorporates elements of both Tai Chi and Qigong. This method is easy to learn. There is no need to spend years learning the 108 traditional movements of long form Tai Chi to reap the benefits of the practice.

Key Principles: Do the practices as best you can. Have fun. Practice in your personal comfort zone. Modify and adapt for your body’s needs. Practice the “Three Intentful Corrections” of body, breath, & mind: Posture & Movement Breath Mindful awareness, Meditation and Massage.

Dress comfortably and wear sneakers or any rubber sole shoe and bring a water bottle.

Sharon Infante is Medical Qigong Practitioner (MQP), an IIQTC and UHT certified in Tai Chi, Qigong, Daoyin Yoga, meditation and Sound Frequency. She has been teaching for more than 20 years. She enjoys bringing Tai Chi Gong and Sound Healing Meditation to communities, hospitals, schools, health festivals so that they may benefit from the combined benefits of the body, mind, spirit connection.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, September 4, 11, 18, 25 from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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