The health benefits of physical activity vary with each individual. It is recommended that you consult with a physician before starting any exercise program. If you know of other group classes that should be included on this list, contact carriewhiteprt@gmail.com.
*NEW Biking: Group Ride: 8-9 a.m. Sundays, Gravel Church, 299 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact: Contact: Aastral Muench, aastralmuench@proton.me. Benefits: Joint mobility, sleep, weight management, core strength, balance. Cost: Free. Other info: These rides are geared to intermediate and expert rides with gravel and mountain bikes welcome. Mileage is 30-80 miles. Helmets and water are required.
*NEW Bird Walks: 8-11 a.m. Saturdays through May 31, 150 Blue Haven Road, Patagonia. Contact: Aaron Mrotek, aaron.mrotek@tnc.org. Benefits: Stress management, cardio, immunity, enhanced creativity and focus. Cost $8, or $5 for Santa Cruz/Cochise county residents and TNC members. Free for Patagonia/Sonoita/Elgin residents and children under age 17. To sign up, visit The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve website.
Circuit Training: Anytime. Patagonia Public School Campus, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Benefits: Strength training, weight management. Cost: Free. Other info: 10 strength-training stations engaging all muscles of the body.
Gardening: Sunrise to sundown, seven days a week. Patagonia Community Garden, 4th and Duquesne avenues, Patagonia. Contact: Mary Sky Schoolcraft, maryskyschoolcraft@gmail.com, 520-510-2851. Benefits: Handgrip strength, balance, flexibility, stress management, blood pressure. Cost: $5 per month/per container (water, compost & tools provided plus assistance from other gardeners). Other info: Volunteers helping with garden tasks always welcome.
Gratitude Drum Circle: 4 -5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Gazebo, Patagonia Park. Contact: Lori Carroll 520-490-4991 (text please). Benefits: Stress management, blood pressure, motor skills, social-emotional resilience. Cost: Free. Other info: If you have a drum, please bring it and a chair. Some of both available. Beginners welcomed.
Kayaking: Local Yokel Yacht Club: 8 a.m. meet up. Wednesdays beginning in March. Meet at TerraSol, 542 Harshaw Ave., Patagonia. Contact: Aastral Muench, aastralmuench@proton.me. Benefits: Cardio, balance, endurance, strength. Cost: Free. Other info: Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, long-sleeve shirt, hat, snacks, water and, or course, a kayak. Kayak donations welcomed.
*NEW Games in the Garden: Bocce, Croquet, Table Tennis: 3-5 PM Wednesdays (or by appointment), Patagonia Community Garden, 4th and Duquesne avenues, Patagonia. Contacts: David “Zorro” Fain, radarfain@gmail.com (put bocce inquiry in subject line), 928-380-6570. Benefits: Mentally stimulating, decreases stress and depression, low impact, social. Cost: Free.
Holistic Organizational Wellness: On demand. Patagonia. Contact: Adam Boyd 330-221-2014. Website: solefultraining.com. Organizational offerings include the Wim Hof Method, Breathwork, Holistic Resilience and Organization Wellness. Benefits: Stress and inflammation reduction, mental resilience, cardiovascular health and boosted immunity. Cost, depending on service, from $25 per person for a single breathwork session to $125 per person for workshops.
Lap Swimming: Spring Season: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays tentatively beginning the week of March 17, Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Contact: patagoniapool1@gmail.com. Benefits: Cardio, endurance, blood pressure, weight management, increased lung capacity, stress management, sleep. Cost: $5 daily pass (age 18 and up). Free for children, students, veterans and first responders. Summer season hours and season pass information coming soon.
Open Swim: Spring Season: 5-7 PM Wednesdays & 1-3 PM Fridays tentatively beginning the week of March 17, Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Contact: patagoniapool1@gmail.com. Benefits: The health benefits of open swim depend on how you use your time in the pool. A few lanes for lap swimming will be available. Cost: $5 daily pass (age 18 and up). Free for children, students, veterans and first responders. Summer season hours and season pass information coming soon.
Personal Training: Simplify Fitness at the Duquesne House. By appointment. 357 Duquesne Avenue, Patagonia. Contact: Rick T. Jaynes, 310-993-7425. Benefits: Balance, empowerment, sleep, bone health, strength, weight management. Cost: $50 an hour/private lessons or $35 for sessions with 2-3 people. Other info: Outdoor garden is used for sessions when weather permits. Coming soon: Pilates.
Tai Chi: 9-10 a.m. Mondays. Gazebo, Patagonia Park. Contact: Molly McClure, 520-591-2422, or Beth Martin, 520-559-1391. Benefits: Balance, flexibility, bone health, stress management. Cost: Free. Other info: This is a wonderful activity for individuals with arthritis. Chair tai chi is also available.
Tennis: Courts open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through May 22. From May 23 until the first day of school (July date TBD) courts will be open seven days a week. Patagonia Public Schools campus, 200 W. Naugle Avenue, Patagonia. Contact: Roxanne Skinner, 520-394-3000. Benefits: Cardio, balance, strength, flexibility, bone health. Cost: Free.
Water Aerobics: Spring Season: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays tentatively beginning the week of March 17, Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center, 200 Naugle Ave., Patagonia. Contact: patagoniapool1@gmail.com. Benefits: Strength, endurance, flexibility, stress management, weight management, blood pressure and social engagement. Cost: $5 daily pass. Free for veterans and first responders. Summer season hours and season pass information coming soon.
Yoga with Donna (Patagonia): 2:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Patagonia Senior Center, 100 Quiroga Lane, Patagonia. Contact: Donna Riley Brollier, 760-219-2090. Benefits: Stress management, balance, flexibility, range of motion, blood pressure. Cost: $12/class or 10 sessions for $100. Other info: Please bring a mat.
Yoga with Donna (Sonoita): 8:30-9:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pioneer Hall, Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association Fairgrounds, 3142 S. Highway 83, Sonoita. Contact: Donna Riley Brollier, 760-219-2090. Benefits: Stress management, balance, flexibility, range of motion, blood pressure. Cost: $12/class or 10 sessions for $100. Other info: Please bring a mat.
*NEW Yoga for Healthy Aging: 10-11:15 a.m. Saturdays through March, Thurber Hall, 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact: Nancy Coyne, 207-751-7109. Benefits: Stress management, balance, flexibility, strength, weight management, blood pressure. Cost: By donation or $20 per class. Other info: Please bring a mat.
Zoom Bachs: 9-9:30 a.m. Thursdays through May, 8-8:30 a.m. Thursday June through August. Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts, 348 Naugle Avenue, Patagonia. Contact: Christina Wilhelm, 617-645-4239. Benefits: Stress management, flexibility, mobility, balance, bone health, blood pressure. Cost: Donations accepted. Other info: In addition to movement, these classes increase access and appreciation of classical music.