Find motivation and connection in classes designed to promote enrichment and wellness for every age, at every level of activity. Wellness classes focus on healthy living and offer opportunities for friendship and community, a send of well-being, self-confidence, and improved mental abilities. Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Meditation, and Herbalism are just a few of the small group classes taught by passionate, trained community instructors. Enrichment classes include hands-on skills such as creative writing, journaling, science, technology, music, history, and more. Class topics vary each month and are taught in the Cottage, Virginia’s House, and outdoors around the beautiful gardens and grounds of 577.
Upcoming Classes
Yoga and Restorative Sound
Friday, April 26 ~ 6pm to 7:15pm
Friday, May 17 ~ 6pm to 7:15pm
Join us for a relaxing evening exploring the benefits of vibrational sound and light yoga. During the first part of the class, the class will be gently guided to unwind through simple yoga and focused breathing. In the second part of the class, the class will lie on their 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 students 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. *Please note: a limited number of soft furniture is available if some students would prefer to sit comfortably for the second part of the class. Please call the 577 Program Manager at 419-874-4174 to reserve these spots.
Community Instructor: Pam Bortz
The Wisdom of Calendula
Tuesday, April 30 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Explore the wisdom of nature by discovering the potential benefits of the calendula plant. Participants will learn the ancient wisdom of the calendula plant and how it can be used to support our general health and wellness. Everyone will make a calendula salve in class they can take to use at home.
Participants will enjoy an herbal treat* while they formulate and sample their own tea blend using calendula and other herbs. Each blend will have ten tea servings to enjoy and share at home.
This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.
*Treats are gluten, dairy, and nut free. Treats contain eggs.
Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson
Morning Yoga for Your Health
May Session: Thursdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ~ 10am to 11:15am
Join us online or in-person for a traditional, beginner’s Yoga class in the Virginia’s House. Yoga means ‘to yoke’ . . . connecting the mind and the body. Our focus will be on movement, the breath, peacefulness, and mindfulness.
The movements can be altered for all levels. Please bring your Yoga mat and let’s gather together for our health.
Community Instructor: Pam Bortz
Gentle Evening Yoga & Sound Bath
Monday, May 6 ~ 7:30pm to 8:30pm
Monday, May 20 ~ 7:30pm to 8:30pm
Enjoy a serene yoga experience that connects you deeper to your mind, body, and breath. Class begins with a body scan meditation followed by a sequence of supported yoga poses designed to release physical and mental tension. Class concludes with a sound bath that will guide you into a deep state of relaxation and peace. Use the power of mindfulness-informed movement to cultivate the skill of slowing down in our busy world.
Please note: Students are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat. In the event a student needs to borrow a mat, 577 can provide a mat for use during class.
Community Instructor: Isabella Weik
The Wisdom of Aloe Vera
Tuesday, May 7 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Explore the wisdom of nature by discovering the potential benefits of the aloe vera plant. Participants will learn how aloe can support us internally and externally, and everyone will make a 2-ounce container of aloe infused salve to bring home. Children are welcome to attend with a registered adult and can help to make their family’s salve.
This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.
Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson
Introduction to Flower Essences
Saturday, May 18 ~ 2pm to 3:30pm
Flower essences are a particularly magical branch of herbal medicine. They carry the energetic imprint of a plant rather than an extraction of physical constituents. They are often used for issues with a strong mental, emotional, or spiritual component.
In this class, we’ll discuss what flower essences are, how they’re used, and how to make your own.
Community Instructor: Sarah Williams
The Wisdom of Clove
Wednesday, May 22 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Explore the wisdom of nature and discover the potential benefits of clove while sampling medicinal teas and enjoying an herbal infused treat. Participants will learn how clove can support our general wellness and be used for pain relief and as an antseptic. Everyone will bring home a jelly sized mason jar of clove to make tincture at home!
This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.
*Treats are gluten, dairy, and nut free. Treats contain eggs.
Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson
Herb Walk
Wednesday, May 29 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Join us as we stroll the 577 gardens and grounds in search of wild and cultivated herbs. Learn the identification, folklore, and medicinal virtues of many of our common springtime plants. Many of our common “weeds” have a lot to offer once you get to know them.
Community Instructor: Sarah Williams
Yoga for Your Health • Video Recordings
June Recordings: 8 videos available from June 1 ~ June 30
Check out this special Summer Yoga opportunity! This series of pre-recorded yoga lessons is perfect for those looking to give yoga a try from the comfort and convenience of their own home, or for students simply missing the sweet and gentle style of 577’s Pam Bortz while she takes a break for the summer. Each class focuses on movement, breath, peacefulness, and mindfulness. The movements can be altered for all levels.
Pam has taught traditional, beginner’s yoga classes at 577 for over 19 years. Over the last few years, 577 has recorded each session Pam has taught in her Yoga for Your Health series. We have carefully chosen 24 sessions that will be available in 8-session packages in June, July, and August. For each month registered, students will receive 8 different videos.
Supplies needed: a yoga mat, a blanket for your knees and Savasana, a Yoga belt or long neck tie works.
Community Instructor: Pam Bortz
Growing Your Own Herbs for Your Health: Sage
Thursday, June 6 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Learn how to grow, harvest and use sage medicinally in your own garden. We’ll begin inside by exploring the various uses and benefits of sage before we move outside to transplant your own sage plant into a one-gallon fabric growing container to take home along with handouts and digital recipes.
Please note: Each participant should bring a pair of gardening gloves, all other supplies provided.
Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson
Hula Hooping: Off-body
Saturday, June 8 ~ 3pm to 4:30pm
Have fun and get an upper body workout while challenging your brain to connect in new ways to body movement. Most people think of moving a hula hoop around your waist, but this class is different.
Learn how to magically “dance” with your hoop while never putting it around your body. Everyone will try new and fun tricks that double as a great workout for your body and mind. We’ll use smaller hoops that can easily be moved to create optical illusions, sure to amaze your family and friends!
Community Instructor: Jennifer Mowrer
Yoga and Restorative Sound • Solstice Celebration
Thursday, June 20 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Join us for a special celebration on the Summer Solstice to honor the longest day of the year with yoga movement and sound bathing.
We’ll begin by immersing ourselves in nature and light with an outdoor session of gentle yoga on the beautiful 577 grounds. We’ll then move inside for a vibrational sound bathing experience, to listen to the highly resonant sounds from various instruments including crystal bowls. The entire experience is a wonderful way to mark another turn of nature’s wheel while promoting a meditative state, allowing thoughts to quiet and the body to relax.
All supplies are included (yoga mats, blankets, bolsters, and eye pillows) but students 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. Please note: In the event of bad weather, the entire class will be held inside.
Community Instructor: Pam Bortz
Midsummer Herblore
Friday, June 21 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
The summer solstice ~ when the sun is at its strongest and the plant world is a riot of growth and color ~ has always been considered a potent time for gathering medicine. Join us in the Log House to discuss the stories and traditions of Midsummer, as well as a number of herbs that are strongly associated with the sun, and how we may tap into their magic to bring us life and warmth throughout the year.
Community Instructor: Sarah Williams
Class Locations & Parking Map
Signed up for a class and need help finding your classroom location and parking? Each class description lists its location. Click the button below to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies.
Photo & Video Release
Photos and videos may be taken during 577 classes and events for use on our website and other relevant media outlets and your attendance constitutes consent. View the full policy below including how you can opt-out of this release.