Most older adults want to discover new interests and increase activity levels.
The Pasadena Senior Center offers a full lineup of classes for members as well as non-members. Residency in Pasadena is not required. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 25 classes for adults ages 40 and older are offered online via Zoom.
Register for spring classes at www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Online Classes, then Class Registration. Everyone who registers will receive email instructions for accessing their chosen Zoom classes online.
Most courses are 10 weeks; a few are eight, six and five weeks. All are taught by experienced instructors who are certified in their respective fields. The total cost of each course ranges from $40 to $85 for Pasadena Senior Center members and $50 to $95 for non-members. Scholarships for low-income older adults are available on a limited basis.
Dance
• Solo Ballroom Dancing – Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. beginning April 14. No dance partner at home? No problem! Learn basic patterns of rumba, cha cha, waltz and swing, plus leading, following and developing timing and rhythm. Ten weeks.
• Solo Ballroom Line Dancing – Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. beginning April 14. Learn basic steps from foxtrot to cha cha in a line dance format. Ten weeks,
• BollyX LIT – Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m. beginning April 16. This low-impact course is Bollywood-inspired, features dynamic choreography and improves coordination and mind-body awareness. Ten weeks.
• Beginning Tap – Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. beginning April 13. Learn basic steps during each class, followed by a fun tap routine. Five weeks
• Intermediate Tap – Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning April 13. Learn new routines as well as standard routines such as the Shim Sham Shimmy. Five weeks.
• Zumba Gold – Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. beginning April 17. This low-intensity dance/fitness program features Latin and world rhythms. Ten weeks.
Exercise/Fitness
• Beginner/Intermediate Pep Up Your Life – Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. beginning April 10. This introductory course increases flexibility, balance, muscle mass and bone density. Ten weeks.
• Beginner/Intermediate Pep Up Your Life (additional class) – Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning April 13. This introductory course increases flexibility, balance, muscle mass and bone density. Ten weeks.
• Mat Pilates – Tuesdays from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. beginning April 13. This course improves strength, flexibility, balance and coordination while focusing on core postural muscles essential for providing spinal support. Eight weeks.
• Yoga and Presence Practice/Meditation – Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning April 13. This course combines balance, strength, flexibility and mindfulness with a unity of mind, body and spirit. Ten weeks.
• Yoga – Wednesdays from 9 to 10:25 a.m. beginning April 14. Yoga’s influence is on the precise alignment of the body in the asanas (poses) and careful sequencing and firming of the asanas. This course is for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Ten weeks.
• Beginner Qigong and Tai Chi –Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. beginning April 15. This course enhances participants’ physical and spiritual well-being through slow, fluid movements that can improve blood flow, reduce stress and increase strength and balance. Ten weeks.
• Intermediate Qigong and Tai Chi –Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon beginning April 15. This course enhances participants’ physical and spiritual well-being through slow, fluid movements that can improve blood flow, reduce stress and increase strength and balance. Ten weeks.
• Chair Aerobics – Fridays from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. beginning April 16. This course combines low-impact chair aerobics and the use of weights. Participants tone their muscles and increase flexibility. Ten weeks.
• Acupressure and Reflexology – Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m. beginning April 16. Learn how to use acupressure and reflexology to improve the quality of your life on a physical, emotional and spiritual level by applying different amounts of pressure to feet, hands and ears. Ten weeks.
Hobbies and Special Interests
• French I – Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. beginning April 14. An introduction to French for those who are completely new to the language or have forgotten their previous studies of it. Tourist expression, grammatical structure and present tense will be covered. Ten weeks.
• French II – Mondays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. beginning April 12. Continued grammar, vocabulary-building, future tense and conditional mode. Songs will be studied for their linguistic style. Ten weeks.
• French III– Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning April 12. Continued vocabulary-building, literary tenses and practice in communication. Ten weeks.
• French IV – Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning April 14. Continued practice in communication, vocabulary-building, short stories, poems and songs considered for their linguistic value. Ten weeks.
• French V – Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. beginning April 14. Intensive review of grammatical concepts, increased practice in communication and more exploration of literature. Ten weeks.
• The Art and Joy of Sewing – Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning April 12. Learn how to work with patterns, operate a sewing machine and more. Fabrics will be available for pickup at the Pasadena Senior Center and are included in the cost of the course. All skill levels are welcome. Ten weeks.
• Acting – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning April 13. The Sandford Meisner Technique will be used to explore simple fundamentals of acting through a series of exercises designed to strengthen the ability to listen, concentrate, 1 to 3 imagine and use one’s inner sense of spontaneity. Ten weeks.
• Creative Writing – Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Beginning April 14. Learn how to write poetry, memoirs, novels and more. Constructive criticism will be provided in a supportive and friendly online environment. Ten weeks.
• Making Sense of the News – Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. beginning April 15. This course will explore why some topics make it to the front page or broadcast news while others do not. Learn what makes something newsworthy, who the decision makers are and more. Ten weeks.
• Watercolors Beginner III – Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. beginning May 6. This class is a continuation of Watercolors I and II. Continue to build on skills and develop composition with a focus on skies, water, developing a focal point and negative painting. It’s a paint-along with plenty of time to ask questions. Six weeks.
• Advanced Watercolors – Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning May 6. This class is designed for experienced watercolor artists looking for inspiration in new techniques and composition challenges. It’s a paint-along with plenty of time to ask questions. Six weeks.
For more information about programs and services of the Pasadena Senior Center during the COVID-19 crisis, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call (626) 795-4331.
The center, at 85 E. Holly St., is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit organization that has been deemed an essential service provider for older adults, so its doors are open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for social services and other assistance to older adults in need. Masks are required.