Zumba, tai chi, yoga returning to Price Center

After more than a year of no in-person classes, the Price Center is welcoming back three of its healthy living programs beginning next month. Easy Tai Chi, Zumba Gold and SMTX Yoga will begin meeting in person again at the center, with limited schedules and COVID-safe precautions in place, on May 3, 4 and 11, respectively. Additional dance classes and arts workshops sponsored by the Price Center are slated to return later in the year.

Janet Arron returns with Zumba Gold on Mon. and Wed. from 10 -11 a.m. for $1 per session for dues paying members of the Price Center and $2 per session for non-dues paying members. Brenda Bell offers her low-impact Easy Tai Chi on Mon. and Thurs. from 2-3 p.m. for $10 per session. Anna Broome’s SMTX Yoga will continue offering Zoom and now, in-person Gentle and Chair Yoga sessions on Tues., and Thurs., at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. respectively. Gentle costs $10 per session and Chair yoga is offered at for $5 per session.

“Healthy living programming like these efforts help the Price Center meet its mission to provide stimulating activities that build community and help bring young and old together for healthy interactions and ongoing relationships,” said Clay DeStefano, executive director. “We’re most pleased to see these classes and our monthly heritage arts groups returning.”

The River Valley Porcelain Arts Club, Bee Friends, and Scrap Patch are groups that have also begun meeting in person at the center again. Current ongoing participation in any of these groups or classes requires proof of vaccination and observation of other COVID-safe precautions, including mask wearing in public areas and freshair circulation in indoor spaces.

Over the past 12 months, the importance of staying physically active and socially connected has guided programming and efforts at the Center. SMTX Yoga is one of the better examples of how communities built at the Center maintained their connection.

“I have been enjoying Anna Broome’s Chair Yoga on Zoom throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kyong Hee Chee, a sociologist who studies aging and communities. “Her classes helped my mind and body during these stressful times and her ability to connect the participants in each class, created a true sense of community when we needed it most,” she added.

The record supports Dr. Chee’s comments. SMTX Yoga Participants returned to classes twice a week, on time, and over time, and class size grew – an impressive phenomenon in the world of community-based exercise classes targeting mature adults.

For more information, please call 512-392-2900, stop by the Center at 222 W. San Antonio St., or visit price-center.org or Facebook @ Price Center & Garden.