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St. Johns County Council on Aging



River House

Balance & Stretching on Tuesdays in July at River House

$25

with Katie Smith

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 4 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, July 1, 8, 22, 29 (no class session on July 15) from 9 to 10 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084) For a map click here.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Gentle Yoga on Tuesdays in July at River House

$1250

with Scott Farber

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 9:15 am, runs for 2 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 Tuesdays, July 1, 8 (no class sessions on July 15, 22, 29) from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084) For a map click here.

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Tai Chi / Qigong on Tuesdays in July at River House

$1250

with Scott Farber

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 10:30 am, runs for 2 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, July 1, 8 (no sessions on July 15, 22, 29) from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine) For a map click here.

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Spanish for Beginners on Tuesdays in July at River House

$3750

with Maria Martinez

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 11 am, runs for 5 weeks

Bienvenidos, 

In this course you will learn basic Spanish. You will also learn everyday phrases, commonly used words, colloquial words used by Spanish speakers, the history and customs of different countries, as well as “Castilian-Castellano” the language brought to this beautiful town by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his crew. You will be surprised of how much Spanish you already know. Don’t forget your notebook (cuaderno) and pen/pencil (bolígrafo /lápiz). 

María Teresa Martínez is a native Spanish speaker, born in Havana, Cuba. Her family ancestry is from Spain. She came to the United States in 1968 and learned English as a high school student in Dover, Delaware. She has taught from early childhood to college level Spanish.  She also served as a medical and judicial interpreter for many years as the owner of a  translation and interpretation business. Since retiring to San Augustine she has enjoyed teaching Spanish classes at the River House/COA. Her courses provide an interesting mix of learning the Spanish language while enjoying tidbits about the colonial history of our city Saint Augustine and Spain. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11 to 12:30 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084) For a map click here.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Beginners Ballroom Dance Group Class on Tuesdays in July at River House

$25

with Ramona Walter

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 11:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Join Ramona as she teaches Beginners Ballroom Dance Group Class. No partner is needed. A strictly beginners Ballroom Dance Class where you come to enjoy yourself with friends you haven't met yet. We have a great time while learning a new skill.

Learn the basic steps in Ballroom Dance so you can move around the dance floor with confidence. Dancing is the best exercise for your body and your brain. Come join us, you'll love it.

Wear comfortable shoes, leather bottom preferred.

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 and she 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 Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11:30 to 12:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084) For a map click here.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Intermediate Ballroom Dance Group Class on Tuesdays in July at River House

$25

with Ramona Walter

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 12:45 pm, runs for 5 weeks

You must have basic knowledge of ballroom dancing.

In this class you will learn the technical elements of ballroom dance including leading and following. You will also learn correct ballroom posture so you will look good while executing your steps. Learn how to recognize the right music for the right dance.

Come join us. You'll have a great time!

No partner is needed.

Wear comfortable shoes, leather bottom preferred.

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 and she 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 Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 12:45 to 1:45 at The River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084) For a map click here.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Mah Jongg for Beginners on Tuesdays in July at River House

$50

with Marcia Farrell

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 1 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Mah Jongg is an ancient Chinese game played by four people using tiles bearing various symbols. If you are familiar with the card game Gin Rummy, you have a head start in understanding Mah Jongg. Mah Jongg is an exciting and mind challenging game that helps stimulate your thought process.

Marcia has been playing Mah Jongg for over 20 years. She taught Mah Jongg at the Riverview Club and to the people in her development, as well as other developments. She also taught Mah Jongg at the COA in 2009. She loves the game and plays several times a week. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1:00 - 3:00 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084) For a map click here

For ages 18 and up.

 

Full Course

Exploration of Acrylic Painting from Beginning to End on Tuesdays in July at River House

$50

with Heather Harley-Davidson

Calendar Jul 1, 2025 at 1:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Students will learn the basic concepts of working with acrylic fast drying paints with the objective of completing three 16 x 20 paintings and framing one. The first class consists of prepping three canvases and subject matter selection while listening to lectures on the topic of art history, prep, supplies, care of brushes, and digital and old school transposing of references. In the remaining class sessions students will receive hands on instruction on pallet paint layout, supplies, taping techniques, history & symbolism, foreground and background, variations of canvases, mixing colors, brush strokes, shading, different size and framing challenges, and in-class plein air instruction and principles. Students are required to bring their inner child creativity so we can paint.

Suggested Class supplies

  • One inch disposable paint brush (needed first class)
  • Pencil (needed first class)
  • Rubber Eraser (needed first class)
  • 3 pack of Artist Canvas 
  • 16x20 (stretched or pannel) (needed first class)
  • White Gesso Primer 8 oz (needed first class) 
  • styrofoam egg carton  
  • Grumbach Acrylic Paint Set Pack of 6, 3 oz tubes "primary"  
  • 12 to 14 piece professional Artist Paint Brush Set   
  • 1/2 inch green painters tape   
  • Optional table or stand easel
  • Additional Grumbach Acrylic Paint:  Yellow, Ochre, Bunt Sienna, Raw Umber
  • Old Picture Frame 16x20

Heather Harley Davidson is an award winning multi medium artist and builder. A local of St. Augustine for 45 years, her distinct impressionism style is known by locals who delight in her use of color and depiction of historical St. Augustine. She is an active member in the St. Augustine Art Association and participates in their annual Plein Air events. She attended the University of North Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology Building Construction Management. Heather's art interests motivated her studies to focus on architecture principles and art history, complemented by traveling around the world on pilgrimages to view the masters. She has taught private art classes over the years and at her mother's former Historic Grounds Book Store in Green Cove Springs.

Class sessions will meet on Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084) For a map click here.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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