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, January 7, 14, 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine)

No class session on Jan. 28.

For ages 18 and up.

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, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 11 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

Classes are for ages 18 and up.

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, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 11:30 to 12:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

Classes are for ages 18 and up.

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, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 12:45 to 1:45 at The River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

Classes are for ages 18 and up.

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, January 7, 21, 28 and Wednesday, January 22 from 1:00 - 3:00 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

No class session on Jan. 14. Also, there will be class sessions 2 days in a row - Jan. 21 & 22.

For ages 18 and up.

This class is relevant to just about any instrument that has notes including Guitar, Bass, Piano, Uke, Mandoline, etc.

Would you like to learn more about the ins and outs of music creation? Which chords play well with each other and why? How chords are created?

7 ths, 9 ths and 11 ths, oh my. Welcome to the magical world of Chord Harmony and Theory.

Requirements: 

• *Ability to play basic chords on your chosen instrument. 
• *Music Stand
• *Paper and pen or pencil for notes

If you have a guitar, Uke or Mandoline you are welcome to bring it to class, but otherwise feel free to take notes and learn more about how music works and how it relates to your instrument.

Dennis Fermin has been playing guitar for over 30 years and joyfully helping others learn to play along the way. As a graduate from Musician's Institute of California, he has the skills and the patience to teach on many different topics and styles of music. Currently you can hear him perform locally as Fermin Spanish Guitar.

This 2 session class will meet on Tuesday, January 7 & 14 from 1 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

Classes are for ages 18 and up.

Since everything has a vibrational frequency, including ourselves, it makes sense that sound frequencies impact how we feel. That’s why particular songs and types of music often bring about specific types of emotions. Vibrational sound healing therapy (sound bath) can retune your body, mind and spirit, while encouraging relaxation, healing and wellness. These sessions use therapeutic crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks and other sound vibration tools. The combination of tones and vibrations that produce a state of tranquility and act as a massage for the nervous system create a state of vibrational balance and harmony.

Participants are encouraged to be in a resting position. Best if on the floor with a yoga mat or a portable reclining chair but sitting up also works. Many enjoy having a light sheet or blanket to place over them.

Simply rest with eyes closed and listen as the practitioner plays a variety of instruments and you “bathe” in the soothing sounds and vibrations. Sound frequencies slow down the brain waves to a deeply restorative state which activates the body’s system of self-healing. Crystal bowls are tuned to chakras as well as the tuning forks. The gong, bowls and tuning forks helps release tension in the body and stimulates the glandular and nervous system. Vocal chanting sometimes is added which further releases stagnant energy of the organs and as in singing lifts our spirit. As in humming and sound frequency, nitric oxide is release and enhances our cellular state within.

Sharon has been on her journey since 2000, trained in Woodstock, NY with Master trainers of Sound and Frequency. She is a Qigong Practitioner, Senior Trainer of IIQTC Tai Chi Easy Leader, certified in various Tai Chi Health forms, Master Reiki and energy healer, and completed studies in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

Classes are for ages 18 and up.

Learn the Basics of Argentine Tango (the original Tango). The Dance progresses counterclockwise around the floor. No partner needed. Dancers rotate partners. Leather soled shoes are preferrable. No flipflops, rubber soles, etc. Dance sneakers are Ok.

Virginia has been dancing Argentine Tango for over 20 years. She studied in the U.S. and traveled to Argentina twice to study with the Maestros. She has danced in group performances and solo with a partner here and in Atlanta and has been teaching here in St Augustine, Ormond Beach and Jax and surrounding areas since 2008. You might have seen her performing in the Romanza Festvale over the past 7 years.

Class sessions are Tuesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 2:45 to 3:45 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

Classes are for ages 18 and up.