Classes for Older Adults   

Chi Running: Focus on Form and Run Smarter not Harder. This workshop is for runners of all abilities. Whether you’re a new or seasoned runner, your form can make all the difference in how you feel during and after your workout. Chi Running, based on the principles of Tai Chi is designed to maximize energy and minimize strain, helping you feel energized as you increase your distance and duration. But Chi Running isn’t just about enhancing endurance and speed, it’s also about minimizing impact and reducing the risk of injury. Run smarter, not harder. Learn the essentials of Chi Running —a technique that combines Tai Chi principles with the sport of running. At the workshop, you’ll learn to run in a way that feels natural, protects your joints and builds endurance over time. You will be guided through exercises and drills designed to leave you with a clear sense of what the Chi Running technique feels like in your body. You will learn and practice how to: develop, maintain, and body sense good posture and alignment and how to avoid over-using your legs by engaging the power of your core and moving forward from your center. You’ll also learn focuses and unique tips and visualizations for efficient arm swing, cadence and more to help conserve energy, vary speed and avoid injury. We will not be doing lots of running, so no matter what condition you’re in, have no fear.

Location will be either the indoor or outdoor track, depending on weather conditions. 

Registration number is limited to ensure personal attention, so register early to guarantee a place in the class. Bonus – Reference materials will be emailed post event. For more information about the class, please view here. 

Age range: 15+

The Chi Walking technique emphasizes walking form—the proper and effective biomechanics of walking and draws from the movement principles of Tai Chi to make walking easier on the body by promoting energy efficiency and injury prevention. How you walk dictates how stress moves through your body while walking. Discover how efficient walking techniques distribute less stress on your body. Through innovative walking drills and exercises you will learn and practice how to: develop and maintain good posture and use the power of your core to create smooth whole-body walking which reduces the stress and strain on your hips, back, legs, knees and feet. Learn how to use cadence, cooperate with the pull of gravity, engage efficient arm swing for different walking speeds, how to loosen joints for flexibility and more. The class is suitable for walkers and hikers of all conditioning and experience levels interested in enhancing the health benefits of walking and avoiding injury. The class format includes demonstration, short walking practice sessions, and Q & A/ rest breaks.

The class will be on the indoor track and classroom. Registration number is limited to ensure personal attention so register early to guarantee a place in the class.

Bonus – Detailed reference materials will be emailed post event.

Age range: 18+

Are you interested in taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), living or studying in Japan, or working in the animation and gaming industry? This class is for the academically inclined individual not afraid to take a deep dive into the complicated world of Japanese grammar, reading, and writing. We will cover both hiragana, katakana, and an introduction to Kanji. Let’s study Japanese!    

Instructor Belardino: The instructor is half Japanese, lived in Japan for almost twenty years, is credentialed, and is a certificated language teacher. She is also a member of the American Association of Teachers Japanese and the California Association of Japanese Language Teachers.    

Required Books: Genki 1 Third Edition: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese 1 Textbook & Workbook Set   

The textbook introduces the Japanese language in a manner that is extremely easy to understand. If you have any sort of disability, please let the instructor know, and she will be more than happy to accommodate your needs.

Age range: 14+

Please note: This is a live remote class. You will meet on zoom during the scheduled days and times. The instructor will email the zoom link and important information before the first class meeting. Any sort of recording, either via Zoom or third party software, is strictly prohibited for this course. Thank you for your understanding. Her goal is to transform the “remote” environment into a safe, engaging, space where students can freely ask questions, and have an enjoyable learning experience. She does request that all students who sign up for her classes turn their cameras on to optimize the virtual learning experience.

Looking to relieve stress from the demands of work or school? Are you a DIY lover eager to explore a new creative outlet? Then dive into the amusing world of air dry clay art! You'll learn the techniques to sculpt and arrange stunning, handcrafted summer arrangements that will adorn your festive interior. This course is for beginners and intermediates, both teens and adults. You will be guided through the main tools and materials needed to create air dry clay projects and will learn basic sculpting and coloring techniques. By the end of the course, you will walk away with exquisite, handmade summer arrangements.

You will come away from this course having learned:

• Prime Material: air dry clay
• Sculpting Tools and Materials
• Clay Handling Techniques
• Coloring
• Assembling

Age range: Adults and teens ages 12 and over are welcome; class size is limited to 10 to ensure individualized guidance and a collaborative learning environment.

Materials fee: $10 (cash or check) due at the beginning of class