Specialty Classes

Are you interested in taking a deeper dive into your health or looking for a unique way to enhance your personal well-being? Our specialty class series allow participants to explore new, exciting, and specific trends in the fitness and wellness realm. Series are intended to challenge each individual through progressive classes/workouts and maintain motivation by connecting with other like-minded individuals that have similar well-being interests and goals. Whether you are looking to establish a sturdy foundation of movement, incorporate breathwork or subtle body training, or just want to shake up your routine - our specialty class series is guaranteed to take your health to new heights!

These classes require pre-registration. Classes, pricing, and registration information can be found below.

Feel free to email us at healthy@rice.edu with any questions or comments.

Please fill out the Specialty Classes registration form before purchasing a series: Specialty Classes - Registration Form


Qigong Series | Spring 2024

Feel healthier, optimize your energy and reduce the stress in your life! The ancient art of qigong can be practiced by any body at any age, and includes mindful, flowing movement, breath work and simple meditations to stimulate physical, mental and spiritual growth. In this introductory specialty series, you can expect to master fundamental postures and movements and deepen understanding of subtle energy flow.

The days, time and location listed below apply to all of the sessions. Space is limited, register today!

  • Class: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 - 10:00 AM
  • Location: Mind/Body and Recovery Studio
  • Price: Rice Recreation Members: $150; Non-Members: $180
  • Sessions
    • 01: January 8 - March 6, 2024
    • 02: March 18 - May 15, 2024

Sign up for Qigong

Cancellation / Refund Policy

Participants who withdraw 7 or more days prior from the start of class may receive a full refund, minus a $10 administration fee. Late refund requests will not be granted. In the event that the Qigong Series cannot run as planned, full refunds will be issued to all participants.

For questions about the program, please contact Andrew Wright, aw112@rice.edu or Dr. Anatolia Vick-Kregel, av82@rice.edu.


Busy Bodies | Spring 2024

Interested in maintaining a strong, mobile body as you age? Want to live an active, pain free life? Enroll in Busy Bodies, and fight back against the natural decline in strength and flexibility that comes with aging! Busy Bodies is our brand new, slow paced, functional movement specialty class. It’s designed to help you improve balance, strength, and mobility, so you can lead the life you want!

Led by expert fitness professionals, each class in this series includes gentle assisted stretching and strength training to target core and stabilizer muscles. Busy Bodies is open to individuals of all fitness levels and activity backgrounds.

The days, time and location listed above apply to all of the sessions. Spots are limited! Register today!

  • Class: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 - 10:00 AM
  • Location: MPR 1
  • Price: Rice Recreation Members: $150; Non-Members: $180
  • Sessions
    • 01: January 8 - March 6, 2024
    • 02: March 18 - May 15, 2024

Sign up for Busy Bodies

Cancellation / Refund Policy

Participants who withdraw 7 or more days prior from the start of class may receive a full refund, minus a $10 administration fee. Late refund requests will not be granted. In the event that the Busy Bodies Program cannot run as planned, full refunds will be issued to all participants.

For questions about the program, please contact Andrew Wright, aw112@rice.edu or Dr. Anatolia Vick-Kregel, av82@rice.edu.


Rice Youth Athletic Program (RYAP) | Spring 2024

Looking for an engaging, athletic after school program for your child? The Gibbs Recreation Center is excited to announce its brand-new Rice Youth Athletic Program. Led by fitness expert Brandon Brooks, this interactive athletic conditioning program features a combination of sport-specific skills training, fun competitions, and personal challenges. Sessions are designed to help young athletes feel and play their best, while having some fun along the way! This class is open to athletes of any kind or level.

  • Age: 12 - 15 years
  • Class: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
  • Location: MAC Gym
  • Price: Rice Recreation Members: $125; Non-Members: $150
  • Sessions
    • 01: January 29 - March 6, 2024
    • 02: March 18 - April 24, 2024

Sign up for RYAP

Waiver Form

2024 Youth Athlete Form

About the Program Trainer

Coach Brandon is a former track and field sprinter & mid-distance runner with previous experience coaching at the high school all the way to NCAA D1 level. He currently trains privately with youth athletes ages 7-18 alongside several adult marathon runners. Coach Brandon also had a unique training experience with NASA as a Fitness Technician and currently works for rice University as personal trainer and instructor!

Cancellation / Refund Policy

Participants who withdraw 7 or more days prior from the start of class may receive a full refund, minus a $10 administration fee. Late refund requests will not be granted. In the event that the Rice Youth Athletic Training Program cannot run as planned, full refunds will be issued to all participants.

For questions about the program, please contact Andrew Wright, aw112@rice.edu or Dr. Anatolia Vick-Kregel, av82@rice.edu.


Self-Defense Class Series | Spring 2024

Our new self-defense series specializes in introductory self-defense, equipping all with the necessary skills to protect themselves in real-life situations. The class provides a safe and empowering environment where students, faculty, and staff can learn effective techniques to defend against various forms of physical assault and harassment. This class aims to give all participants the confidence and ability to handle potential threats with assertiveness and skill.

  • Class: Wednesdays, 4:15 - 5:15 PM
  • Location: MPR 2
  • Price: Rice Recreation Members: $100; Non-Members: $120
  • Sessions
    • 01: January 31 - March 6, 2024
    • 02: March 20 - April 24, 2024

Sign up for Self-Defense

About the Program Trainer

Joe Peak, our instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience in martial arts and self-defense, will guide you through various scenarios and teach you practical self-defense techniques that are easy to learn and remember. Whether you're a beginner or have previous martial arts experience, this class will help you feel stronger, more confident, and better prepared to face any situation.

For questions about the program, please contact Andrew Wright, aw112@rice.edu or Dr. Anatolia Vick-Kregel, av82@rice.edu.


Introduction to Feldenkrais Method®️ | Spring 2024

Are you interested in profoundly exploring how you move, think, feel, and sense yourself in response to stimuli? If so, this series may be for you! In this Introduction to the Feldenkrais Method®️ , your body and mind will become the object of your study. This course is about using movement, sometimes slow and subtle, sometimes more athletic and powerful, to learn more about who you are.

Whether well into your health and wellness journey or just beginning, The Feldenkrais Method®️ is bound to provide ultimate benefits toward your goals! Most lessons in this series will be done on the floor, lying and sitting. Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement and breath.

  • Class: Mondays, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Location: Mind/Body and Recovery Studio
  • Price: Rice Recreation Members: $100; Non-Members: $120
  • Sessions
    • 01: January 29 - March 4, 2024
    • 02: March 18 - April 22, 2024

Get started with the Feldenkrais Method®️

About the Program Trainer

Website (lisaburrellviolin.com)

Lisa Burrell, DMA, is a violinist, violist, string clinician, and a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner (ISSE 2013). She is on the governing board of the Musicians' Health and Wellness SIG for the International Society for Music Education and clinics worldwide in collegiate and secondary arts programs, using Feldenkrais as a pedagogical tool for injury prevention and high-level skill acquisition.

For questions about the program, please contact Andrew Wright, aw112@rice.edu or Dr. Anatolia Vick-Kregel, av82@rice.edu.