Health Education Classes

There are many health and wellness classes available throughout Central Oregon, offered by a variety of local organizations. The Council on Aging of Central Oregon organizes and sponsors some of these classes, especially those that are evidence-based and proven to support healthy aging.

Living Well with Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain or caring for someone who is? This free, six-week workshop is for adults 60+ managing chronic conditions like arthritis, back pain, headaches, or pelvic pain. Learn proven strategies to handle daily challenges like pain, fatigue, sleep issues, tough emotions, and more. Free lunch provided at noon.
Wednesdays, July 30 – Sept 3, 2025, 1:00PM – 3:30PM, Senior Services Center, Bend

Sign up with Tia Linschied at tlinschied@councilonaging.org or 541-323-0435

Presented in partnership with the Oregon Wellness Network

Living Well with Diabetes

Take charge of your health with this 6-week workshop for adults 60+ living with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Learn to manage blood sugar, reduce complications, and feel your best through group workshops on diabetes self-management, nutrition, activity, stress, and more.

Participants will also receive one on-one sessions with a Registered Dietitian or a Lifestyle Coach. Caregivers are welcome. Covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
Thursdays, July 31 – Sept 4, 2025, 1:00PM – 3:30PM, Redmond Senior Center

Sign up with Tia Linschied at tlinschied@councilonaging.org or 541-323-0435

Presented in partnership with the Oregon Wellness Network

Nutrition Education Classes: Nutrition classes presented by Registered Dietitian Rhonda Gostanian and the Council on Aging of Central Oregon. These classes take place in the Senior Services Center before community lunch.

Mobility Through Water, Designed by the Arthritis Foundation: Consists of a series of gentle exercises which focus on improving strength, flexibility, balance, range of motion and cardiovascular fitness. Water exercises provides a comfortable option for people with arthritis and multiple sclerosis due to its supportive, reduced -impact environment.

  • Larkspur Community Center
  • 1600 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR 97702
  • Monday – Friday, 8am-8:50am
  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10:00am-10:50am
  • Tuesday and Thursdays, 1:00pm-1:50pm

Strength, Tone, and the Mightier Bone: This weight training class focuses on improving bone health and muscle mass while increasing flexibility and balance.

  • Larkspur Community Center
  • 1600 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR 97702
  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 8:30am-9:30am
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:20pm-4:20pm

Functional Fitness: Improve your daily function through a series of exercise routines emphasizing flexibility, balance and strength. Class focus is on muscle mechanics, core work and body awareness.

Tai Chi: Join Grandmaster Franklin Wood to learn Tai Chi, a graceful form of exercise that involves a series of movements, which are performed in a slow, focused manner combined with controlled breathing. It is a low impact activity. Tai Chi is shown to improve balance & mobility, increase leg strength & flexibility and reduce the fear of falling.

*Sponsored by the Council on Aging of Central Oregon

Grandmaster Franklin hosts virtual Tai Chi classes Monday – Thursday. To register, go to www.grandmasterfranklin.com

Tai Chi 8/24 Movement: Slow, circular movements gently exercise muscles and improve range of motion. Relies on internal awareness to generate a feeling of overall health and vitality. Designed for those that want to build on the 8 Movement form of Tai Chi as a bridge to 24 Movement. Both formats are stressed.

Senior Fit Club: In this class the focus is on balance, coordination, agility and flexibility. Senior Fit Club is a combination of strength development and cardiovascular conditioning for the active older adult. Class is taught seated and standing.

Tai Chi & Qigong Exploration – Tai Chi, Hsin-I and BaGua are three of the main Internal Energy practices of the Chinese culture. Internal refers to the emphasis and meditation upon this energy, called Chi. Qigong refers to the development and utilization of this Chi energy for health and longevity. Tai Chi is the most well known of these arts in the U.S., however, Hsin-I and Bagua are experiencing speedy growth and an expanding following. In this new Qigong class, we will explore the different ways these arts develop, exercise and express this Chi energy.

Chen Style Tai Chi – The Chen Style Tai Chi is a Northern Chinese martial art and the oldest form of Tai Chi. As presented in this class offering, it’s characterized by unique silk reeling energy, gentle flow through the stances and alternating slow and faster motions. The movement is integrative, meditative and soft but provides a surprisingly effective exercise routine.

Better Brains – Better Brains – Enhancing Mature Minds™.  This super fun, interactive, class is designed for mature adults wanting to improve their lives by keeping a sharp and active mind. Special activities and lessons will help participants enhance the functioning of major areas of the brain, fostering increased confidence and independence. 

Chair Yoga – An introduction to Yoga using modifications seated or standing behind chair to increase better balance and strength. Personalized assistance is available as needed. Breath and alignment are emphasized.

Better Bones and Balance: Uses targeted exercises that reduce the rate of bone loss, improve strength and balance, and reduce the risk of falls. Better Bones & Balance classes can help to decrease the likelihood of osteoporosis and are safe for individuals with osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Better Bones and Balance (online)

Central Oregon Community College also offers additional short courses on Health, Wellness, & Mindfulness. Locations, dates, and availability vary.

Better Bones and Balance: This research-based exercise class is designed to improve bone health, muscular strength, and balance in a fun, social, community environment. Class includes strength training, aerobic exercise, flexibility exercises, and balance exercises. Beginner to intermediate levels—come dressed to move.

  • Sisters Park and Recreation
  • Location: Coffield Center, 1750 McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, OR 97759
  • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:30am – 10:30am

Tai Chi: Join Master JianFeng Chen in learning tai chi, often called a moving meditation. Tai chi can assist all ages and abilities with balance, flexibility, stress relief, and overall health. This class is a beginning tai chi class that will focus on the Simple 8 & 24 Yang style forms. No experience necessary.

  • Sisters Park and Recreation
  • Location: Coffield Center, 1750 McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, OR 97759
  • Fridays from January 10 – February 2, 11:15am – 12:00pm
  • Fridays from March 21 – April 18, 11:15am – 12pm
  • Registration Required

Strength in Movement: This class focuses on your range of motion, breathing, balance, posture, strengthening, and flexibility, all essential for better mobility.

Tai Chi: Join Grandmaster Franklin to learn Tai Chi, a graceful form of exercise that involves a series of movements, which are performed in a slow, focused manner combined with controlled breathing. It is a low impact activity. Tai Chi is shown to improve balance & mobility, increase leg strength & flexibility and reduce the fear of falling.

*Sponsored by the Council on Aging of Central Oregon

Grandmaster Franklin hosts virtual Tai Chi classes Monday – Thursday. To register, go to www.grandmasterfranklin.com

Fit for Life Training: Join fitness instructor Carol Spaw for Fit for Life training, a class geared for all fitness levels with no special equipment required. The class includes moving your body, utilizing weights, and making new friends. Visit the La Pine Activity Center every Wednesday at 1 p.m. to join the class.

  • La Pine Activity Center
  • Location: La Pine Activity Center, 16450 Victory Way, La Pine, OR 97739
  • Wednesdays, 1 p.m.

Fitness 4 Life: This class is 20 minutes of low impact moves, 20 minutes of strength exercises designed to increase range of motion and 20 minutes of balance and flexibility. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing, stepper and fitness balls are offered for resistance. Class uses a step and yoga mat. This is a great class for the beginner or the active older adult. 

  • Redmond Senior Center
  • 325 NW Dogwood Avenue, Redmond, OR
  • Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:45am-8:45am
  • In-person and virtual. Must register in advance for the virtual offering.

Zumba®: Grab your friends and join the party! Zumba Gold® is for those who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity. Certified instructors can show modifications to amp up the intensity if you want more! Come ready to sweat and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong.

SilverSneakers®: SilverSneakers® Classic will increase muscle strength, range of movement and improve activities for daily living. In SilverSneakers® Yoga, you’ll move through seated and standing yoga poses to increase flexibility, balance and range of motion.

  • Redmond Senior Center
  • 325 NW Dogwood Avenue, Redmond, OR
  • SilverSneakers® Classic – Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:35am-11:35am
  • SilverSneakers® Yoga – Thursday, 10:35am-11:35am

​Pumped Up Strength: Pumped Up Strength is a new approach to resistance training. Utilizing combination movement patterns in a targeted, rhythmic progression, its superpower is the dynamic integration of upper and lower body movements set to fun music. Perfect for balance, coordination, muscle strength, and a bit of cardio. All no impact, with light to medium weights or no weights.

Better Bones and Balance

Better Bones and Balance (online)

Central Oregon Community College offers additional short courses on Health, Wellness, & Mindfulness. Locations, dates, and availability may vary.

Mobility for Life: Mobility for Life is a 12-week course at the Crook County Library that promotes range of motion, strength, balance, and coordination.

No classes currently listed

Oregon Wellness Network: Oregon Wellness Network (OWN) delivers programs to help individuals manage chronic health conditions, prevent falls, and foster well-being. If you are coping with high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, diabetes or other chronic conditions, OWN can support your efforts to live life as fully and independently as possible.

Search Oregon Wellness Network to find and enroll in evidence-based health and wellness workshops being offered. Dates and times vary. Enter your zip code, find the workshop for you and register online.

Tai Chi: Join Grandmaster Franklin Wood to learn Tai Chi, a graceful form of exercise that involves a series of movements, which are performed in a slow, focused manner combined with controlled breathing. It is a low impact activity. Tai Chi is shown to improve balance & mobility, increase leg strength & flexibility and reduce the fear of falling.

Grandmaster Franklin hosts virtual Tai Chi classes Monday – Thursday. To register, go to www.grandmasterfranklin.com