Enrichment & Wellness

Yoga & Mindfulness

Wednesdays, May 13, 20, & 27 ~ 6pm to 7pm

Wednesdays, June 10, 17, 24 ~ 6pm to 7pm

Spend an hour each week with us and learn to bring balance back to your body, mind, and spirit through yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness. Practice traditional yoga poses, breathing techniques, guided relaxation, and mindful meditation.

We will also explore ways to be mindful (aware without judgement) and how to bring your yoga and mindfulness practices into other parts of your life. All levels are welcome, with modifications being suggested, as needed.

Community Instructor: Jenn McCullough

Morning Yoga for Your Health

Join us for a multi-week session of gentle Hatha Yoga and Meditation classes focused on mindful movement, breath, and personal well-being. Each session offers adaptable poses to meet your individual needs, with support from yoga mats, chairs, and walls to enhance your practice. 

Please bring your own yoga mat and enjoy a supportive, mindful practice together.

Community Instructor: Pam Bortz

DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies

Get hands-on to create your own laundry detergent and simple air freshener, while learning how homemade cleaning supplies are easy to make, cost-effective, and help reduce toxins in your home.

Each participant will make and take a quart-sized jar of dry powder, non-toxic laundry detergent, and a glass bottle of non-toxic disinfectant spray, along with several non-toxic cleaner recipes they can make and try at home.

Community Instructor: Isabel Carter

Herbal Remedies for Summer

Maximize your enjoyment of the great outdoors this summer with the power of herbal remedies. This practical and engaging class will teach you how to prepare and use effective herbal solutions for common seasonal needs, such as soothing bug bites and stings, easing sun exposure, preparing cooling herbal infusions for hydration, and more.

Everyone will make and take home their own sunburn cream, first aid salve, and the recipes, preparation techniques, and knowledge to confidently care for themselves and their family using nature’s pharmacy throughout the summer months.

Community Instructor: Lily Kunning

All About Flower Essences

Learn all about flower essences and how they may help you with stress, anxiety, or personal growth. Participants will be led through a quiz process narrowing what essences might be best for their issues, and we will make an essence together. Everyone will take home one 1/2 oz bottle of the essence we make in class, plus their quiz and an informational booklet.

Flower Essences are a form of energetic therapy started by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s. They have no scent, are extremely gentle, and are used to promote emotional well-being and mind-body health. Many are familiar with Wirth Rescue Remedy- this is a flower essence.

Community Instructor: Lily Kunning

Identifying Medicinal Herbs

Join us for an engaging, hands-on exploration of the local landscape as we take a stroll on the 577 grounds to learn how to identify the powerful plants growing right beneath our feet. 

Blending botanical science with traditional herbal lore, we’ll move beyond basic recognition to discuss the historical and modern medicinal uses of various native and naturalized species. We’ll also cover the key features used to distinguish medicinal plants from their look-alikes, along with ethical foraging practices that ensure a safe and sustainable interaction with nature. Everyone will take home a plant identification booklet.

Whether you are a curious beginner or a seasoned gardener, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the natural pharmacy surrounding us.

Class Notes: We prioritize a relaxed learning environment. Please plan ahead for your comfort: wear comfortable shoes, and bring water, a notebook, clear packing tape, & a camera/phone. If you prefer not to stand during our group discussions, please bring a lightweight portable chair to use at our various stopping points. Our walk will take us over mostly even, gentle terrain in a low-impact “saunter” designed for observation, not a high-intensity workout.

Community Instructor: Lily Kunning

Sound Bath & Meditation

Relax into your weekend by joining us to experience the benefits of vibrational sound and meditation. Receive gentle guidance to unwind through focused breathing and meditation exercises. We’ll then relax onto yoga mats to experience the calming effects of listening to highly resonant, immersive sounds from various instruments, including crystal bowls. These sound vibrations, or sound “bathing,” promote a meditative state, allowing thoughts to quiet and the body to relax.

Leave class with an understanding of how this practice can be beneficial and how to incorporate vibrational sound into your own self-care practice. All supplies are included (yoga mats, blankets, bolsters, and eye pillows), but participants are welcome to bring their own pillows and any other props for personal comfort. It is also recommended to dress warmly since bodies tend to cool as they relax.

Class Note: This session takes place in Virginia’s House. A limited number of soft seating options are available for participants who may wish to sit comfortably during the second part of the class. To reserve seating, please call in advance.

Community Instructor: Pamela Bortz

Summer Soap Making: Gardener’s Soap

Create your own custom soaps in this beginner-friendly class using the Melt & Pour method—a safe, simple, and quick way to craft soaps with no lye and no long curing times required.

In this class, you’ll learn the basic equipment and techniques needed to get started, along with an introduction to different soap bases, scents, colors, and additives. You’ll then put your new skills into practice by creating three (3) bars of layered gardener’s soap. Each participant will take home their finished soaps, soap molds, and instructions to continue creating custom soaps at home.

577 Staff Instructor: Lindsay Grider

Riverwalk String Workshop Week (Grades 6 to 12)

Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24 ~ 9am to 3pm

Young musicians in grades 6 to 12 are invited to join us for the Riverwalk String Workshop. This week-long immersive experience offers high-quality instruction in string playing from world-class musicians, paired with mindfulness and creativity sessions from the Toledo Mindfulness Institute, where students will learn techniques to enhance focus and self-expression.

Participants will build lifelong skills while working both in small groups and one-on-one with professional musicians. This workshop is open to students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass.

Students will also benefit from attending live performances on-site at 577, including Riverwalk’s Ensemble-In-Residence, the Orion Trio, and a concert by Riverwalk’s faculty. Participants will also take part in two nature-based art activities led by 577 staff.

The week concludes with a special concert showcasing our students’ talents on the final day of the workshop, Friday, July 24, from 2pm to 3pm. All performances take place on 577’s Outdoor Stage and are open to the public. A rain location will be announced if needed.

This is a unique opportunity for young student musicians to grow as performers, find inspiration, and build friendships in a holistic, supportive, and engaging environment. Join us and gain the courage to follow your dreams!

Important Notes: Young musicians must have at least 2 years of private instruction. Musicians will be asked to complete a Google Form from Riverwalk String Workshop. This includes an optional request to submit a one-minute video sample of their playing as an audio file, which can include a solo, etude, orchestra excerpt, etc. While optional, this submission is strongly recommended to assist with ensemble placement. Registration is subject to review. Participants who do not meet the requirements may not be accepted into the camp. Any musician who is not accepted will receive a full refund.

Registration is now open!

Community Instructors: Cole Habekost, Alex Munson, & Isabella Weik