SOKY Center (formerly SoKY Marketplace) has become a hive of activity in the past several months, providing programs that encourage health, wellness, and quality of life. A variety of donation-based programs led by professional instructors are in place, and all are listed on the library’s calendar (warrenpl.org/calendar) as well as on the calendar on SOKY Center’s website (sokybg.org).
From the beginning, the library’s goal was to make this downtown community hub a go-to spot for life-enriching programs, and we have been able to partner with many folks to make that happen. The SOKY Center building beside the pavilion (across from Bowling Green Ballpark) has become a hot spot for instructors encouraging folks to gather, move, and grow. Their weekly programs encompass a variety of tastes and skill levels and will continue to adapt and expand to meet the community’s needs. Programs are listed on the library’s calendar (warrenpl.org/calendar) as well as on the calendar on SOKY Center’s website (sokybg.org). Here’s what’s happening this month:
Partner-led events, weekly, donation-based:
•SOUL STEP, Mondays, 5:30pm This music-driven class combines step cardio dance, resistance training, and low-impact body weight movement. Led by Emery Jenkins (Jenkins.Emery.lu@gmail.com).
•Moms on the Move, Tuesdays, 10am This mommy-and-me class for all levels incorporates pilates, yoga and strength with a fun, upbeat playlist. Led by Hannah Miracle (hannahrmiracle@gmail.com).
•Teen Yoga & Mindfulness, Tuesdays, 6pm This 60-minute class for teens focuses on breathwork techniques, intuitive movement, guided meditation, and relaxation. Led by Liz Heller (lizheller@icloud.com)
•Mind Body Burn, Wednesdays, 5pm This class for all levels is a dynamic and holistic workout that blends breathwork, mindfulness, cardio, strength training, and core conditioning. Led by Hannah Miracle (hannahrmiracle@gmail.com).
•Preschool Yoga, Thursdays, 10am This 30-minute yoga class blends storytelling, music, and play with breathing exercises and basic yoga poses. Led by Liz Heller (lizheller@icloud.com).
•SOUL SCULPT, Thursdays, 4:30pm This pilates-inspired class blends structured movements, with intuitive beat-blended movements and uses body weight with optional bands and ankle weights for added resistance. Led by Emery Jenkins (Jenkins.Emery.lu@gmail.com).
•Gentle Yoga for Flexibility & Stability, Fridays, 10am This class will implement breathing and gentle yoga postures, incorporating props and modifications to assist those who need them. Led by Lisa Kearny (Lisa@ageinplaceky.com).
•Saturday Soul Yoga, Saturdays, 9am This community-focused Yoga class is for all levels. Led by Cre Dye (credye@yahoo.com).
Donation and fee-based series:
•Cuban Salsa Dance for adults class (6-week series) Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17 6:30pm & Sunday, December 21, 2pm This series designed for beginners will teach techniques of Cuban salsa, also known as casino, a dance characterized by twists, free steps, and connection with the music. Led by Ana Acosta (anakruizacosta99@gmail.com). Registration is required.
•Self-Defense Class (An Affiliate of Kevin Goat Self-Defense), Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20 3pm This self-defense class will teach personal safety, equipping participants with the skills to protect themselves from harm, deter attackers, and build confidence in potentially threatening situations. The class fee is $20 per person. Led by Patrick Folker (pcfolker@live.com).
•Filipino Martial Arts Class, Saturdays December 6, 13, 20 4:15pm This Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) concepts class will focus on edged and non-edged weapon-based fighting techniques, as well as empty-hand methods and theories. The class fee is $20 per person. Led by Patrick Folker (pcfolker@live.com).
The library will also be partnering this month with our friends at the SoKY Ice Rink, by hosting weekly storytimes and character meet & greets at the rink on a new day. Like last year’s Snow Dome Storytimes, this year’s “Sunday Storytimes” will feature popular characters and read-aloud sessions at 3pm and 4pm weekly beginning Sunday, December 7. Check out the image on this page for the schedule!
If you plan to attend any of SOKY Center programs, keep in mind that free parking is available at the Stadium Park Plaza’s parking garage. If you’d like to keep up with all that’s going on at the 636 Center Street venue, follow SOKY Center on Facebook and Instagram (@sokycenterbg), and sign up for our newsletter at tinyurl.com/SOKYCenterNews!
-by Ashley Fowlkes, Digital Content Manager
