Cookeville Leisure Services
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.
Jan. 7
BEND MASTER WORKSHOP: This is two hours of intense strength conditioning and flexibility training from 3-5 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, 180 C C Camp Road, Cookeville, for those wishing to enhance body awareness through breathing techniques and gain muscle tone and definition. Register by Jan. 3 at www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/classes-programs or by calling 526-7393. Cost is $25. The Jan. 7 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.
Jan. 14
FIT FRENZY: Try out a variety of fitness classes free during Fit Frenzy on Jan. 14 at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, 180 C C Camp Road, Cookeville. Try Zumba, Bend or Cardio Sculpt at 9 a.m.; Step, PiYo or Dance2Fit at 9:30 a.m.; Cardio Core, Fit Yoga or Turbo at 10 a.m.; and STAC, Yoga Flow or High Intensity Interval Training at 10:30 a.m. Call 526-7393 for details.
Jan. 20
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.
Jan. 21
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.
Jan. 28
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.
Jan. 29
MEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE: Cane Creek Gymnasium, located at the Cane Creek Recreation Center at 180 C C Camp Road in Cookeville, is presenting a five-on-five men’s basketball league for ages 18 and up. Cost is $225 per team. Activities include seven regular season games and a single-elimination tournament. Spectator cost is $1. Registration deadline Jan. 29. Coaches meeting Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. League starts Feb. 7. Call 526-9767 for details.
Feb. 2-March 9
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, Feb. 2-March 9, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center. It will be offered again on Tuesdays, Feb. 28-April-4, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $30. 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 program.
Ongoing
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.
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.
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.
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.
TRADITIONAL DANCE: The Cookeville Traditional Dance class meets on the first and third Friday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. 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.
HOMESCHOOL HEALTH AND FITNESS: Come to the Cane Creek Gymnasium, located inside the Cane Creek Recreation Center, for this drop-in fitness and sports class on Mondays from noon-2 p.m. starting Feb. 6. The class is broken up into three sections: explanation of daily concentration, warm-up focusing on flexibility and aerobic activity, and then a sport or physical fitness activity. Homeschool students of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to join instructor Cory French on Court 2. Cost is $1 per student. Call 526-9767 for details.
FITNESS CLASSES: Fitness classes at the Cane Creek Recreation Center at 180 C C Camp Road, Cookeville, are $3 each or $6 for Boot Camp. No contract or membership required. For class descriptions, visit www.cookeville-tn.org/ls/fitness or call 526-7393. Following is the January 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
Photo: Yoga Instructor ,Kayla French, of Cane Creek Recreation Center.
