Keep busy this month with yoga, health and art classes in James City County

Are you bored with the snow, or looking for a way to keep away the winter blues?

Look no further. James City County Parks and Recreation is starting out 2018 with a full roster of activities and events this month, according to the county’s website.

Classes are listed by date under each section. Visit the James City County website for full details.

Art classes for young children

• Winter cupcake decorating class, Jan. 12 from 5-7 p.m. The class is $20 for non-Williamsburg or James City County residents and $15 for residents. This class introduces students to basic cake decorating skills using buttercream icing and edible glitter. The class is for students ages 6-12 and is instructed by The Williamsburg Chocolatier, Inc.
• Kidz Clay classes, beginning on Monday. Kidz Clay classes are for children ages 9 to 15 and will be held every Monday from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Students will gain experience with a potter’s wheel and create handmade sculptures. Classes require a $15 materials fee that can be paid to the instructor at the first class in addition to the $45 class fee. Classes will be held at the James City County Recreation Center in room 201060-A.
• Elementary Homeschool Art Class, beginning Friday. The class is for students ages 5 to 10 and will help young artists explore different art techniques used by famous artists throughout history. Each week projects will delve into a specific artist and their style, and will teach students to create their own art. Classes are $45 and $40 for Williamsburg James City County residents. Classes will be held at the James City County Recreation Center, located at 5301 Longhill Road, in room 201200-B.

Art classes for older children

• Art classes for homeschooled students, every Friday from 10-11 a.m. beginning tomorrow. The classes are for ages 10-17. Students in these classes will work on creative projects while learning artistic techniques better suited for an older age group. Classes include 2-D and 3-D projects, helping students find their own artistic style. Classes cost $45 to non-Williamsburg and James City County residents, and $40 for residents. Classes meet at the James City County Recreation Center in room 201200-A.
• Oil painting for beginners, every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. through March 22. This course is for students who have never picked up a brush and looking to learn the basics.
• Next level course in oil painting, every Tuesday beginning Jan. 2 as well as Wednesdays starting Jan. 3. For students ages 16 and older.
• Pastel classes, every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. The classes help students learn how to use pastels to create portraits and landscapes.

*Each oil painting and pastel class is $130 for non-Williamsburg and James City County residents and $125 for residents. Students provide their own supplies for both oil painting classes and the pastel class. For the supply list, call 757-220-3755 or email annekushnick@gmail.com.

Yoga

• A free yoga etiquette workshop, Jan. 10 from 2-3:15 p.m. at the James City County Recreation Center. The workshop is offered to those ages 12 and older. These classes are designed to help beginners become more familiar in a studio environment and calm any anxiety that those new to yoga might have.
• Yoga for those with disabilities, Jan. 30 from 7-9 p.m. This free workshop teaches how to move through a series of postures that allow the body to become flexible and healthy.
• Kids’ Storybook Yoga, Thursdays from 4:30-5 p.m. The class is for the youngest tots from ages 4-7. The 30-minute class gives children a way to bring imagination, creativity and movement together through a series of yoga poses that interact with a book’s characters and plot. For more information on these classes, call 259-4176.
• Children’s yoga for ages 8-12, Thursdays from 5:15-6 p.m. These 45-minute classes are designed to teach children techniques for relaxation, health and self-love. Classes are taught by a KiYo certified instructor as will be $5 to $7 a day or can be purchased in a five-class pack.
• Beginning yoga is offered in a four-week workshop session for students 14 and up that will take place on Thursdays beginning Jan. 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. Classes are $30 for non-residents and $25 for residents. These sessions are for those who have never practiced yoga before.

Fitness and other health

• Gait analysis workshop on Jan. 9 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Locals can learn about their body and how to catch injuries before they happen from chiropractor Daniel Shaye of Performance Chiropractic. The workshop is free and at the James City County Recreation Center.
• Fitness open house, Jan. 20 from 9-11 a.m. Land and aquatic instructors will be available to discuss their classes, formats and typical modifications with locals. Sentara Healthcare nurses will also be available to administer health screenings. There is no registration required. Contact kristen.tolj@jamescitycountyva.gov for more information.
• Free health screenings will also be available at the James City County Recreation Center on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. Screenings include finger stick for a non-fasting cholesterol reading, as well as blood pressure and body mass index readings. There will be doctors and nurses available on location to give advice and counseling on living a healthy lifestyle. No registration is required.
• Healthy eating tips for all ages on Jan. 24 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The event will cover new approaches to weight loss with presenter Megan R. Cordova, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes educator. The event is at the James City County Recreation Center.
• Family health fair on Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the James City County Recreation Center. The free event is presented by The Arc of Greater Williamsburg to teach families about the health resources offered by the community. There will be cooking demonstrations, giveaways and nutrition workshops.
• Swimming lessons for multiple levels of swimming experience, with initial testing on Jan. 30 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The swimmer’s skill level can be decided by the certified water safety instructor.
• Rape Aggression Defense Basic Physical Defense class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with other special dates listed online. R.A.D. is a program that teaches women self-defense tactics in a comprehensive 12-hour course, split between two days. Courses are taught by certified instructors from the James City County Police Department.
• Group fitness classes during multiple times in January. The group fitness schedule can be found online. Classes are offered at the James City County Recreation Center to get the body moving and grooving. Ageless yoga and Zumba are offered in addition to a number of other classes.
• Fit Mama – Stroller Fit classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes offer a play area for children at the My Place Playground while moms get 60 minutes of exercise using weight balls, bands and cardio on the walking trail. Classes are designed to accommodate pre and postnatal workouts for all levels. Classes are $13 each for non-residents and $8 for residents.

*For questions on any of the fitness classes or to register, call 757-259-4200.

Inclusion & therapeutic recreation services

• Day support program for adults, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The program gives adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to receive education and life skills as well as engage in social and recreational group activities. The program will take place in the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, located at 8901 Pocahontas Trail.

Clubs and social events

• STEM club for students, Wednesdays beginning Jan. 10 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The club is for children ages 7-12 and focuses on engineering and robotics through activities that develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Classes are $60 for non-residents and $55 for residents.
• Teensational Social, Jan. 24 from 7-8 p.m. The program is aimed toward 13 to 21-year-olds with disabilities. The event will be a round of Bingo that allows players to socialize with peers and practice social skills. There is no registration required.

Athletics

• Quart’r Pint Soccer for ages 2-3, beginning Jan. 20 from 8:30-9 a.m. Classes engage toddlers and help them to develop balance, movement and soccer skills. Registration is $45 for non- residents, $40 for residents.
• Half pint soccer, for children ages 4-5, will be on Saturdays beginning Jan. 30 from 9-9:45 a.m. Classes are $45 for non-residents and $40 for residents.
• Full pint soccer, for ages 6-9, will also be held on Saturdays, from 10-10:45 a.m. Classes are $45 for non-residents and $40 for residents.
• Multi-Sport Minis program for children ages 3-5, beginning Jan. 20. The program covers a variety of sports from basketball to baseball. Meetings will be at the James City County Recreation Center.
• Tot Shots classes for players ages 3-5, Saturdays from 9-9:45. The cost is $35 for non-residents and $30 for residents.
• Jump Shots, Saturdays, Jan. 20-Feb. 10, 10-10:45 a.m. Jump Shots is a new program at the James City County Recreation Center that teaches basketball players ages 6-8 how to hone the skills learned in Tot Shots. Players will get experience on the court as well as with passing and dribbling. The cost is $35 for non-residents and $30 for residents.
• Free teen tournaments for boys and girls ages 12-19 on Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. Tournaments challenge teenagers with weekly Xbox competitions against their peers. The competitions will be held at the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center.

*For more information call 757-887-5810.

Special Events

• Free viewing of ‘Despicable Me 3’ at the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center on Jan. 5 from 6-8 p.m. Popcorn and drinks are provided, and children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
• Future vision party for teens, Jan. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. The party, at the James City County Recreation Center, will show teens how to create their own vision boards of future with clips, glue and stickers. Non-residents must pay a fee of $25 and residents must pay a $20 fee. For ages 13-17.
• Neighborhood winter carnival, Jan. 27 from 2-5 p.m. The event is free to the public and includes prize-winning carnival games, Bingo and balloon animals. The carnival will take place indoors at the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center and features a popcorn stand and a live DJ.

*For more information on Parks and Recreation events in January, visit their website or call 757-259-4200.