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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Fitness

Tai Chi / Qigong on Tuesdays in February at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Feb 3, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Qigong is the art of cultivating our vital energy or life force using gentle movements coordinated with breathing. It promotes health and vitality. Tai Chi is the epitome of qigong. It is a healing art, a moving meditation, and a slow graceful dance. It relaxes the body and focuses the mind. It improves balance and posture. We'll learn a variety of standing qigong methods as well as the famous Cheng Man-Ching (Yang style) Tai Chi form. Please wear loose comfortable clothing and, if possible, flat-bottomed shoes.

Scott Farber, Ph.D., has been practicing and teaching Tai Chi & Qigong for over forty years. He has studied the form, push hands and sword.  As an apprentice in the international School of Tai Chi Chuan, he completed fifteen years of intensive teacher training.  A former college professor, he now serves as a health and wellness consultant, teaching yoga, tai chi and meditation.

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

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Line Dance on Tuesdays in February at River House

$25

with Ann Murdock

Calendar Feb 3, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Have fun and kick up your heels!

This fun line dance class will teach you popular line dances to various genres of music.

Beginners welcome. 

Dance has been an integral part of Ann's life. She has participated in line dance classes for many years and has provided private instruction to friends. Additionally, she has taught dances in the classes of other instructors.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17, 24 from 1 to 2 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Gentle Yoga on Wednesdays in February at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Feb 4, 2026 at 9:15 am, runs for 4 weeks

This dynamic yet gentle class is for all ages, accommodating beginners as well as those who want to deepen their practice. Using teaching demonstrations and detailed guidance, each class proceeds in a safe and slow way to instruct the basics of (Kripalu) yoga postures, breathwork and meditation. Plenty of modifications and variations will be given for different body types. 

Class is 60 minutes and include an opening centering, gentle warmups, postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and a long closing relaxation (yoga nidra). 

Please bring your own yoga mat, water bottle, and blanket or cushion to sit on.

Scott Farber, Ph.D., E-RYT 500/YACEP. Scott has been practicing yoga, meditation, and t'ai chi since the 1970s. A former college professor, with a doctorate in philosophy of education, he has traveled and taught all over the world. He now serves as a lead trainer in the Discovery Yoga School, offering a variety of yoga classes, workshops and teacher trainings.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18, 25 from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Tap Dancing Level 3 on Wednesdays in February at River House

$3750

with Judy Woodruff

Calendar Feb 4, 2026 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, February 4, 11, 18, 25 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 February at River House

$1875

with Katie Smith

Calendar Feb 4, 2026 at 2:45 pm, runs for 3 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, February 4, 11, 25 (No class session on Feb. 18) 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 February at River House

$1875

with Rebecca Dawson

Calendar Feb 5, 2026 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, February 5, 12, 19 (No class session Feb. 26) from 9:00 - 10:00 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Tai Chi and Qigong on 1 Tuesday and 3 Thursdays in February at River House

$25

with Sharon Infante

Calendar Feb 5, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

If you have tried other Tai Chi forms and found them difficult to maintain, consider giving this class a try. The forms taught here are carefully selected and can be easily adapted for all levels, including individuals experiencing chronic pain or other physical conditions. We use the Tai Chi Easy Method, Fall Prevention practices, and Parkinson’s protocols to support safe, accessible participation and learning. Classes include breathwork, meditation, self-massage, and gentle movement. Forms covered: Review of Tai Chi Easy, followed by Tai Chi for Health, and progressing to Tai Chi for Energy.

Please dress comfortably, wear sneakers or rubber-soled shoes, 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 Tuesday, February 10 from 11:30 - 12:30 and Thursdays, February 5, 19, 26 from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Sculpt, Stride & Stretch on Thursdays in February at River House

$3750

with Katie Smith

Calendar Feb 5, 2026 at 12 pm, runs for 4 weeks

This class is designed to improve cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength without increasing risk. Energizing and easy-to-follow movements promote heart-healthy, total-body conditioning to increase balance, cardiovascular, and muscular endurance. Follow along with engaging music as we alternate between low impact aerobics conditioning and upper body strength training using dumbbells. 

The final 30 mins will be devoted to stretching the entire body to increase flexibility and mobility

Equipment needed:

  • water
  • towel
  • dumbbells or a band
  • athletic shoes

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 Thursdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 from noon to 1:30 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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