The City of Cookeville Department of Leisure Services offers recreational and educational classes, programs and events throughout the year, many of which are free. The department is responsible for 10 city parks and natural areas, including Dogwood Park and Cane Creek Park; Cane Creek Recreation Center, Gymnasium and SportsPlex; Cookeville Performing Arts Center; and Cookeville Depot and History museums. For more information, call the administrative office at 520-4386 or visit www.cookeville-tn.org/ls.
TRAIN TALES: Bring the kids to the Cookeville Depot Museum, 116 W. Broad St., every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for stories about trains and railroad friends. This free program is geared toward preschoolers. Call 528-8570 for details.
BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHY: This class, to be held Thursdays, Dec. 29–Feb. 2, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, is open to ages 15 and up. Participants should register by Dec. 24. Cost is $65. The class covers camera operation, principles of image capture, composition, subject matter, areas of artistic expression, as well as the organization of images and applications such as email, print and storage. All types of digital cameras are welcome, including Smart Phones, electronic tablets, point-and-shoot cameras and iPods. Instructor Ron Baker is a professional photographer who provides images for businesses, families, weddings and events. To register, call 526-7393 or visit www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/ classes-programs.
BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUTH: This class, to be held Tuesdays, Jan. 3-Feb. 7, from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, is open to ages 11-14. Participants should register by Dec. 29. Cost is $65. The class covers camera operation, principles of image capture, composition, subject matter, areas of artistic expression, as well as the organization of images and applications such as email, print and storage. All types of digital cameras are welcome, including Smart Phones, electronic tablets, point-and-shoot cameras and iPods. Instructor Ron Baker is a professional photographer who provides images for businesses, families, weddings and events. To register, call 526-7393 or visit www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/ classes-programs.
CHAIR YOGA: This class, held from 11 a.m.-noon Mondays and Wednesdays with instructor Shelia Barnes and on Fridays with a video at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, is designed for participants with chronic pain and the physically challenged, who spend the majority of the class seated. The “poses” are gentle, range-of-motion movements and stretching combined with breathing exercises and meditation. Cost is $2 on Mondays and Wednesdays and free on Fridays.
TAI CHI: This Chinese martial art has developed into a graceful form of exercise that not only reduces stress but helps with a variety of health conditions. Preregistration is required for a six-week class to be held on Thursdays, Dec. 15-Jan. 26 (no class Dec. 22), from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center. Cost is $30. Another class will be offered on Tuesdays, Feb. 28-April-4, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tai Chi, often described as “meditation in motion,” promotes serenity through gentle, flowing, low-impact movements. It puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. Participants of all experience levels are welcome to join instructor Nikki Desch, an award-winning martial artist with more than 35 years of experience. To register, call 526-7393 or visit www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/ classes-programs. Preregistration is required five business days prior to the program.
MERENGUE AND SALSA WORKSHOP: Join instructor Luisa Groundland of Caracas, Venezuela, as she shares her passion for Latin dancing in a Merengue and Salsa workshop Jan. 28 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center. Participants should register by Jan. 23. Cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple. Salsa has its roots in the earlier dance styles, such as cha-cha and mambo and is influenced by swing dance styles. Characteristics include sensual, intimate, relaxed, hip motion. Basic steps to Merengue are similar to marching. Dancers keep their knees bent and feet in contact with the floor. It’s great for beginners and a good way to practice Cuban hip motion. Merengue is also influenced by hip hop, R&B and other pop music.
BEND: An innovative fusion of ballet, gymnastics and yoga, Bend is held Wednesdays and Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., at the Cane Creek Recreation Center. Cost is $3. Bend allows participants to target specific muscles with precision for gaining flexibility while building strength and endurance. As a hybrid of ballet, gymnastics and yoga, Bend offers multiple levels for a wide range of ages and body types. Benefits from stretching include pain relief, increased energy levels, better range of motion in the joints, greater blood circulation, relaxation and stress relief. Instructor Lynda Wallace, a certified holistic coach and personal trainer, has more than 20 years of combined experience in dance, gymnastics, ballet and stretching exercise.
BEND MASTER WORKSHOP: Not a class for the faint of heart, this is two hours of intense strength conditioning and flexibility training for those wishing to enhance body awareness through breathing techniques while gaining muscle tone and definition. The class is Jan. 7 from 3-5 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center. Register by Jan. 3 at www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/classes-programs or calling 526-7393. Cost is $25. The workshop combines the stretching practices of ballet, gymnastics and yoga with advanced core conditioning and balance techniques. Instructor Lynda Wallace is a certified holistic coach and personal trainer with a combined 20+ years of dance, gymnastics, ballet and stretching exercise experience.
WALKING TO WELLNESS: Enjoy power walking on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. in a safe environment at the Cane Creek Recreation Center or choose other forms of walking, such as a treadmill or walking outdoors. Log-in sheets are provided for keeping track of walking miles. Call 526-7393 for details. Free.
TRADITIONAL DANCE: The Cookeville Traditional Dance class meets on the first and third Friday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. after Jan. 1 at the Cane Creek Recreation Center. Cost is $1. The class focuses on English Country and American Contra dancing, while adding in some traditional dances from other countries, such as Scotland. Neither experience nor a partner is required. Fun for the whole family. For more information, contact Mev McCurdy at mev@notgrass.com.
ASHANTGA YOGA: Ashtanga Yoga, a therapeutic system designed to purify the body, promote proper functioning of the digestive system, build strength and restore range of motion, will be offered Jan. 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center. Cost is $25. Register by Jan. 15 at www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/classes-programs or call 526-7393. Cost is $25. Ashtanga Yoga relies on linking postures with deep, even breathing and steady gazing. The system of linking breath with movement is known as vinyasa and encourages blood to circulate properly, allowing the removal of toxins. The gazing point helps facilitate a state of meditation, having profound effect on the steadiness of the mind. The workshop is beginner-friendly and open to all levels. Instructor Emily Bourland, a Cookeville native who lives in Chattanooga, completed her 200-hour training in 2015.
YOGA BASICS: This workshop, to be held Jan. 21 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, was designed for those who have always been interested in yoga but too intimidated to try it. Cost is $25. Register at www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/classes-programs or call 526-7393. The class will answer the question “what is yoga?” and participants will see basic postures and learn what it means to calm the mind through breath. After this workshop, participants will be able to walk into any group yoga class with confidence and know the names and correct positions of basic postures. Bring water and clothes to move in. Mats and towels are available, but participants are welcome to bring their own. Instructor Wanda Lemmons is a registered yoga teacher who has been practicing yoga most of her adult life. She also teaches Mindful, Vinyasa and Yin Yoga at the Cane Creek Recreation Center.
FITNESS CLASSES: Fitness classes at the Cane Creek Recreation Center at 180 C C Camp Road are $3 each or $6 for Boot Camp, with no contract or membership required. For class descriptions, visit www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/fitness or call 526-7393. Following is the December schedule:
Mondays:
- 8:15 a.m. – Beginner Step
- 9:30 a.m. – PiYo
- 11 a.m. – STAC (Strength Training and Conditioning)
- 4:15 p.m. – Cardio Sculpt
- 5:30 p.m. – Classic Step, Boot Camp or Yinyasa Yoga
- 6:30 p.m. – High Burn HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
Tuesdays:
- 8:15 a.m. – Spin 30
- 9 a.m. – Mixed Yoga Flow
- 9:30 a.m. – Zumba
- 11 a.m. – PiYo
- 4:30 p.m. – STAC (Strength Training and Conditioning)
- 5:30 p.m. – Cardio Core or Boot Camp
- 6:30 p.m. – Dance2Fit
Wednesdays:
- 9:30 a.m. – Yoga Flow
- 10:15 a.m. – Spin 30
- 11 a.m. – STAC (Strength Training and Conditioning)
- 6:30 p.m. – Zumba
Thursdays:
- 8:15 a.m. – Zumba
- 4:15 p.m. – Step and Sculpt
- 5:30 p.m. – Power Hour
- 6:30 p.m. – Yin Yoga
Fridays:
- 8:30 a.m. – Classic Step
- 9:30 a.m. – Fit Yoga
- 10:15 a.m. – Spin 30
- 11 a.m. – STAC (Strength Training and Conditioning)
Saturdays:
- 8:30 a.m. – Mindful Yoga
- 9:15 a.m. – Zumba
Sundays:
- 2 p.m. – Zumba
