Arlington Community Education

So you’ve run a 5K—now what? You liked training for a three-mile race and are ready to take your running to the next level, but don’t know how? Whether you want to run a five-miler, a 10K, or a half-marathon and beyond, this course will teach you how to safely achieve your fitness goals by balancing strength, speed, hills, and endurance into your week. Coach Gaggi will give you a custom training program based on your running goals and check in with you weekly to keep you on track. Most classes meet at Spy Pond. Prerequisite: For the 3 months before the start of the class, you need to have consistently run 3 times a week with at least 2-3 non stop miles per run, totalling at least 6-9 weekly miles. If you don’t have a solid base for this course, you may get injured. Start logging your miles today!

Enjoy some of ballroom’s most popular social dances. Whether you want to float like Fred and Ginger or put a little sexy hip action into those Latin dances, come join in the dancing fun. Couples and singles are welcome. Beginning: We will break down the basics of footwork, musicality, and partnering in swing, salsa, rumba, and more. Two left feet? No rhythm? No problem! Once you learn the basic steps, you’ll be able to spice up any dance floor you step on. Travelling 2nd week of June, makeup June 5 if needed Continuing: Ready to move past the basics? We will cover a variety of moves, like crossovers, turns, and combinations, to up your dance game. We will also dive into more styling and technique to give you a more polished look.

This class is the low-impact version—but still high-energy—of the Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program. At the very core of a BollyX workout is the inspiration it draws from the infectious energy, expression, and movement of the music and dance of Bollywood, the film industry of India. Follow along and learn the dance moves as you go. This great cardio workout will get you moving, sweating, and smiling.

Be exposed to a new musical genre while you get an amazing cardio workout with this dynamic dance-fitness program that draws inspiration from the high-energy song and dance sequences of India’s Bollywood movies. Have lots of fun, unleash your inner swagger, and engage your entire body as you cycle between high and low levels of intensity choreographed to great tunes from around the world. Moves can be modified for any fitness level. No experience is necessary.

One great thing about yoga is that it can be adapted to suit anyone’s needs. Chair yoga is especially beneficial for beginners, senior citizens, people with injuries, or those looking to learn how to apply yoga techniques at the office. As we practice chair yoga, our bodies relax and our minds quiet. During our time together, we will increase our self-awareness and revitalize our lives. Yoga has been proven to improve strength and flexibility, as well as reduce stress and manage pain. The chair yoga postures taught in this class can be integrated throughout your day.

There’s nothing more fun than country western line dancing! You don’t even need a partner. Come get low-impact exercise as we dance to (mostly) country western music. Beginner: If you’ve never line danced before or have only done a few classes, we’ll start from the very beginning, with simple dances that teach you the basic building blocks of line dancing. Intermediate: For those who have been dancing for a while and are ready for a new challenge, these dances are longer, faster, and have more turns.

Join us for a dynamic dance experience blending stretches, meditation, and energizing cardio, set to a mix of music—from gentle melodies to powerful rhythms. Guided symbolic movements release tension, spark creativity, and build confidence. Inspired by Katherine Dunham and Herns Duplan, this inclusive, intercultural class welcomes all levels. Simple, rhythmic movements and playful games explore energies from relaxation to dynamic expression, fostering a strong sense of community. No dance experience needed—just come as you are!

Shake, shimmy, slide, and sweat your way through great music that gets your heart pumping and your body moving. Join this energizing workout session, moving to salsa, merengue, swing, and more. Get a total body workout through cardio, muscle conditioning, balance, and flexibility. You won’t even realize what a great workout you’re getting because you’ll be having so much fun! Dances are easy to learn, fun to follow, and gentle on your joints.

Ignite warmth in your body and move with your breath as we playfully explore standing postures, arm balances, and creative twists and stretches. Designed for those with some prior yoga experience, this class will gradually build heat, maintaining a steady flow before winding down with deep stretches and a grounding savasana. Get ready to move, breathe, and stoke your inner fire. Recommended props: Mat- Blocks- Strap

This energetic dance class features a combination of street dance styles, including hip hop, locking, and house. Created in the 70s and 80s, these styles have roots derived from even earlier times. Each week you will learn a new routine choreographed to different music. The focus is on having a good time—the only real structured moves are smiles and laughs!

Struggling with tight hips? We’ll use floor, seated, and standing exercises to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and create space in the hip area. These simple mobility drills will activate the hip muscles, glutes, and sacroiliac joints while relieving tension in the lower back and hamstrings. Develop strength around the hip joint, improve flexibility, access scar tissue, and refine movement patterns for better daily mobility. Open to anyone looking to release tightness or build strength. Please note: Students must bring the following to class: Yoga mat Yoga belt/long strap/belt Theraband/resistance band Tennis ball/therapy ball Yoga bolster or firm cushion.

Keep your inner child alive, enhance your coordination, and immerse yourself in a new form of expression as you learn to maneuver a hula hoop around and away from your body. Learn mesmerizing off-body tricks like isolations, escalators, weaves, and folds, then focus on creating seamless sequences to unlock a zen-like flow state. Hoops will be provided, and you’ll be able to take one home to practice between classes.

Begin or end your day with yoga poses designed to connect mind, body, and spirit. Through regular practice, you’ll bring calm, focus, flexibility, and strength into your life. Particular attention will be given to helping each student understand and work with their body and achieve proper alignment. All levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat, a strap or belt, two blankets, a pillow, and yoga blocks (if you have them) to your class.

There’s more to running than just “left, right, left, right, left, right.” Stretching, strengthening, and core control are all important parts of a healthy and balanced running regimen. But it really starts with your mind. We’ll show you how easy and simple it can be to establish a daily fitness routine. Classes stress proper running form, focusing on the lower back and core muscles. Learn how to track miles using your device or an old-fashioned notebook to achieve your fitness goals. Most classes meet at Spy Pond. Fit to 5K: Get strong and stay injury-free in this slow-moving, safely-progressing, and endurance-building nine-week running program, which builds up to a 5K (3.1 miles) we’ll run together. Fit to 4K: Not ready to commit to a 5K? This class focuses on overall fitness and concludes with a 4K (2.5 miles) we’ll run at Fresh Pond on the Saturday after the last class.

You may know parkour for its high-flying flips and big jumps, but its basic principles can also be used to help active older adults become physically stronger and more mentally confident. In this transformative course for ages 40+, improve your balance and agility with low-impact moves under the guidance of trained and supportive coaches. Learn how to avoid falls, or how best to fall if it happens; how to turn obstacles into opportunities; and how to incorporate functional fitness into your everyday movements.

With roots in traditional Chinese medicine, qigong’s goal is to cultivate and balance our life energy, or “qi.” Qigong practice typically involves meditative, slow-flowing movement coordinated with deep rhythmic breathing to produce a calm state of mind. Part of traditional Chinese medicine, the practice is similar to tai chi but simpler, and benefits can include improved immunity, better balance, and lower blood pressure. We will learn about the three dantiens (flow centers) and practice exercises specifically related to the primary organs of the body. Flex and stretch gently, and learn simple routines you can practice at home.

Spice up your week by learning how to groove and spin your way into Latin dance. In addition to focusing on the vibrant and passionate rhythms of salsa, we will also explore related styles that you may come across during a salsa night—the upbeat merengue and the slow and sultry bachata. No previous dance experience is necessary. We will start with the basics and build to combos. Couples and singles are welcome. Please note: If attending as a couple, both dancers must register individually.

Enjoy a slow flow yoga practice that integrates movement with breath. Move through fluid sequences of sun salutations and standing or seated postures designed to improve physical health, reduce stress, enhance sleep, and deepen mindfulness. The pace will be slower, with longer holds to focus on the connection between breath and movement. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your mat (props are optional).

Build strength and condition your muscles and joints through a structured routine. After a dynamic warm-up, we’ll move into a sequence of exercises using both weights and bodyweight. The session ends with core-strengthening finishers and a short stretch. This format will be repeated for several weeks, allowing time to refine form, improve breathing, and gradually increase weight. The routine will be modified every few weeks to ensure continued progress and challenge. Students must bring: Yoga mat, a set of weights (5-15lb, depending on your preference/strength level), and resistance bands.

Move more confidently and securely after completing this program, which focuses on both prevention and preparedness, going beyond traditional balance training by integrating the CDC’s STEADI initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries). You’ll engage in functional strength training to build stability, dynamic and static exercises to improve steadiness in various positions, and reactive strategies to respond effectively when your balance is challenged. Learn safe falling techniques and floor recovery methods to reduce the risk of injury, along with emergency preparedness tools for situations where independent recovery isn’t possible.

The ultimate in no-impact aerobics, tai chi naturally relaxes the body, promoting calm and peace of mind while improving posture, balance, and flexibility. The practice increases blood flow throughout the entire body, keeps joints flexible, and restores elasticity to muscles. It is a form of exercise that actually becomes better for you as you age. Get an introduction to a series of short forms that embody the basic principles of tai chi. Tai chi rowing and walking will be introduced, as well as a set of general exercises for health, energy, and balance. This class is for all levels.

The ultimate in no-impact aerobics, tai chi naturally relaxes the body, promoting calm and peace of mind while improving posture, balance, and flexibility. The practice increases blood flow throughout the entire body, keeps joints flexible, and restores elasticity to muscles. It is a form of exercise that actually becomes better for you as you age. Get an introduction to a series of short forms that embody the basic principles of tai chi. Tai chi rowing and walking will be introduced, as well as a set of general exercises for health, energy, and balance. IMPORTANT: Enrollment for this class must be previously approved by the instructor. Please email Community Ed. with any questions. Advanced: Each class focuses on the Hwa Yu short form as well as the 12 Animals of Liuhopafa form. This class is not for beginners.