Fourth Presbyterian Church: A Light in the City

A variety of exercise modalities are offered at the CLL in order to meet the interests of our members. Please feel free to try an exercise class before joining the CLL to be certain it meets your requirements. Participants are encouraged to speak with the instructor about any special needs so exercises may be modified appropriately. All CLL exercise instructors are certified in their field.

Stronger Seniors
Basic Tap Dance
Intermediate T'ai Chi
Tap, Too
Zing! Total Fitness
Yoga
The Silver Barre
Range of Motion

Stronger Seniors
Mondays and Tuesdays on Zoom | 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Anne Pringle Burnell

Mondays: Stronger Seniors Cardio Strength is a 45-minute chair-based class (seated or standing) including aerobics for healthy hearts and increased stamina, and unilateral strength training with the use of one light weight dumbbell or soup can for arms, shoulders, and upper back. The workout finishes up with stretches. Equipment: light weight or soup can

Tuesdays: Stronger Seniors Pilates focuses on principles of Pilates; breath, core-training, coordination and control.  There are standing and seated options throughout. Get strong from the inside out, improve balance, posture and function in daily life. Optional equipment: small pillow, ball or a pair of socks.

Members may register for either or both classes.

Anne Pringle Burnell is an award-winning teacher and international presenter. She created programs, including: Peyow™ Aqua Pilates, Stronger Seniors™, Funktional Barre, StretchTension, Plank Challenges, Water Ballet Stretches, Pilates Breathwork for Covid, Ai Chi Unravel, and Seated Adaptations and more. The Rehab Institute of Chicago conducted case studies on her program and published findings in AKWA Magazine 2015. Anne has authored several articles and instructor manuals, as well as being a continuing education provider for both fitness instructors and therapists. Anne is a professional singer and the current President of Chicago Cabaret Professionals.

Basic Tap Dance
Mondays on Zoom | 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Susan Fay

Have you ever wanted to sail away on the Good Ship Lollipop? Learn how to do a flap, spank, and shuffle ball change? If so, Basic Tap is the class for you! We will learn basic tap steps in fun combinations to the music of the Rat Pack, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and many more. Tap dance is a great way to work out stress, increase balance, and build more fluid movement in your stride. This class is designed to be repeated as many times as you wish.

Susan Fay has an M.A. in dance education from Northwestern University and is a certified Silver Sneakers instructor. She is also a professional actor, having worked with theaters such as Lookingglass Theatre Company, the Court Theatre, Hartford Stage Company, Montana Shakespeare Theater, and many more.

Intermediate T‘ai Chi
Tuesdays and Thursdays | 2:45–3:30 p.m.
(In person and on Zoom; participants must have instructor approval)
Hau Kum Kneip

This ancient form of meditative movement brings strength and balance benefits to its adherents. This intermediate class is for CLL members only and is not appropriate for beginners.

Hau Kum Kneip studied with Chinese T’ai Chi masters in Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and Hawaii beginning in 1978. She has taught T’ai Chi Chuan at the CLL since 1995, increasing balance, strength, and focus in her students.

Tap, Too
Wednesdays on Zoom
9:30–10:30 a.m.
Susan Fay

Bring in the Noise! This class assumes that you are proficient in the basic elements of tap and are ready to learn more complex steps such as time steps, maxi ford, etc. Our warmup will gradually move away from the barre as the tempo of the class increases and we learn full length dances. Before you know it, we will be shuffling off to Buffalo!

Zing! Total Fitness
Wednesdays on Zoom | 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Pam Peterson

Have fun and get fit to music you know and love in this easy-to-follow aerobic conditioning class. This energetic workout builds cardio and muscular endurance, improves balance and range of motion, burns lots of calories, and lifts your spirits!

Pam Peterson, founder of Zing with Pam Fitness, is a dynamic teacher who believes that exercise should be fun and healing. An ACE-Certified fitness professional and personal trainer for 40 years, Pam has led countless students to greater strength, balance, flexibility, stamina and energy. Pam is also an award-winning singer, writer, and comic actress known for her YouTube hit “Memory” with more than 7 million views.

Yoga
Wednesdays on Zoom | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Melissa Renzi

Yoga is an ancient tradition rooted in Indian philosophy teachings. Its purpose is to reveal the deeper nature of your being through an array of practices such as physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation.

In this class, we'll move through slow-paced, functional movement intended to support mobility, strength, and balance, as well as flexibility of mind and body. Classes include dynamic movement, both stabilizing and restorative poses (āsana), and breath extension (prānāyāma). Class is accessible for all bodies and abilities, including those who may require chair options.

Melissa Renzi, LSW, MSW, CYT-200 is a trauma-informed yoga teacher with a background in social work. Yoga has been part of Melissa's life since 1998 when her mom first took her to an ashram to learn the practice of Kriya Yoga. She received her 200-hour certification based on the lineage teachings of Krishnamacharya from Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago in 2015 and has continued her studies in Vedic and Tantric teachings in the years to follow. At the forefront of Melissa’s teaching is creating a supportive environment that encourages students to grow a curious mind, befriend their bodies, and uncover their innermost, whole selves.

The Silver Barre
Thursdays on Zoom | 9:30–10:15 a.m.
Susan Fay

Do you have a tutu tucked away in the back of your closet? Is a viewing of The Nutcracker always a part of your holiday season? Or would you just like to stand a little taller and walk through life with a little more grace and elegance?

Well then, step up to The Silver Barre! This basic ballet class is focused on barre work that will lengthen and strengthen the spine, increase leg and hip strength and develop foot articulation. It also features traveling combinations, challenging our cognitive ability and balance as we move across the floor.

I hope you will join us; no tutu required! But you will need soft ballet slippers or other form-fitting, soft sole dance shoes. No sneakers or socks, please. Ballet slippers are available from Chicago Dance Supply.

Susan Fay has an M.A. in Dance Education from Northwestern University and is a certified Silver Sneakers instructor. She is also a professional actor, having worked with theaters such as Lookingglass Theatre Company, the Court Theatre, Hartford Stage Company, Montana Shakespeare Theater, and many more.

Range of Motion
Thursdays on Zoom (In Person and on Zoom) | 10:30–11:15 a.m.
David Aaron Harbin

This class is an enjoyable challenge of chair and standing group exercise, which emphasizes core strength, balance, flexibility, and mental fitness. You’ll know you’re in the right class when you hear David exclaim, “a 5, 6, 7, 8 ... here we go!"

David Aaron Harbin brings enthusiasm and energy into every class session, along with tips for a healthier lifestyle. His interest in older adult health began with his own family and has expanded across other Chicago-area communities. David is certified in senior fitness through the American Institute of Fitness Educators as well as Stronger Seniors Specialty Training and Silver Sneakers.

For more information about the Center for Life and Learning, email CLL Director Annette Mileski.