Health and Wellness — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Celebrate the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial with Our Next Decades Week Group Fitness Theme

June 25, 2026

Who remembers the awesome 80’s? The decade of listening to Bon Jovi on your Walkman, solving your Rubik’s Cube, talking on your brick-sized car phone, and getting fit with instructors like Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda! Well get ready to celebrate a totally rad 80’s week at the Y from July 6-12!

Be on the lookout for your favorite instructors wearing fun 80’s-inspired workout attire. We’ll also play a slew of 80’s hits to keep you moving! So get out your leg warmers, side ponytails, and leotards for an exciting week of group fitness classes.

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Celebrate International Yoga Day at the YMCA

June 10, 2026

June 21 is International Yoga Day and the Y is celebrating with an array of class options throughout next week! See below for details.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Sunset Yoga
Date: Tuesday, June 16
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to Facility Members only.

Join us for a relaxing yoga session on the pool deck patio (located on the south side of building.) Registration can be completed using the YMCA On the Go App.

Morris Hospital YMCA

Hatha & Healing
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 7:30-8:45 p.m.
Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

Combining Hatha Yoga with sound healing together can deeply affect your mind, body, and spirit. This session will start with approximately 35-40 minutes of gentle hatha followed by approximately 35-40 minutes of a sound bath in Savasana to induce deep relaxation. This combination leaves students feeling grounded, peaceful, and rejuvenated.

Pop-Up Yoga
Date: Sunday, June 21
Time: 8:15-9 a.m.
Cost: Free and open to Facility Members only.

Join us for a meditative yoga practice used to build strength, release tension, and mark the earth’s seasonal shifts. Registration can be completed using the YMCA On the Go App.

Village of Shorewood YMCA

Yoga
Date: Sunday, June 21
Time: 10-10:45 a.m.
Cost: Free and open to Facility Members only.

This class is focused on foundational yoga postures, breathwork, and simple flows. Designed to improve flexibility, balance, and body awareness, it offers a steady, mindful practice suitable for anyone looking to build strength and deepen their connection to movement and breath. Registration can be completed using the YMCA On the Go App.

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Launching New Sideline Dance Program This Fall

June 8, 2026

This fall, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA will introduce an all-new sideline dance program – Illuminate – bringing fresh energy, new opportunities, and an enhanced experience for young dancers in our community.

Illuminate is designed for co-ed youth dancers of all skill levels in grades K–8 who love to move, perform, and be part of a team. Participants will learn dynamic choreography that blends pom, jazz, and hip-hop from experienced YMCA dance instructors, all while building confidence, coordination, and teamwork in a fun and supportive environment. Dancers will showcase their skills by performing high-energy sideline routines at YMCA youth flag football and basketball games throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons.

With the launch of this new program, the YMCA will restructure its Thrive Dance Team. More advanced dancers will continue to have the opportunity to audition for the Thrive Competition Team, which practices at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and participates in competitions and community events throughout the year.

The YMCA will also continue to offer a wide variety of dance classes for all ages and skill levels. Current offerings include classes specializing in pre-ballet, ballet, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, and jazz. Summer dance class participants can also take part in the YMCA’s annual summer recital, held each August.

REGISTRATION IS UNDERWAY FOR ILLUMINATE

Registration for Illuminate’s fall season is now underway. Team members will practice once per week and perform during YMCA NFL FLAG football games. Practices will begin the week of August 17 and will be held on weeknights at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. Game day performances will primarily take place on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings beginning the week of September 7. The outdoor fall season will run through late October.

To learn more, please contact Health, Wellness, and Dance Director Kristen Derengowksi at (815) 267-8600, ext. 224 or via email at [email protected].

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My Y Rewards Program June Bonus Points Opportunity

June 4, 2026

The Y is the perfect place to start your health and wellness journey. And now, in conjunction with our June Personal Training Sale, the Y is excited to announce a special bonus points opportunity for the My Y Rewards Program!

Here’s how it works:

YMCA members enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive 100 bonus points for each personal training package they purchase during the month of June.

PLEASE NOTE: Members will receive their bonus points on July 1. Valid on packages purchased at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Some restrictions apply.

As a reminder, the My Y Rewards program is free and available to Facility Members, ages 16 and up. If you aren’t already a rewards member, learn how to enroll by clicking below.

ENROLL TODAY

Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also earn points each time you check in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

If you have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].

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Register for Summer Pop-Up Specialty Fitness Classes at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA

June 3, 2026

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA is excited to offer a series of pop-up specialty fitness classes this summer! See below for details.

Belly Dance
Dates: June 19, July 24, August 21
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Cost: $5 per class

Learn choreography to a specific song taught by a dance teacher. You’ll achieve spinal flexibility, improve balance, and gain a stronger core while learning to isolate various muscle groups. Dance to beautiful music as we drill technique and respectfully touch on culture from many countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The class dances barefoot (socks or split-sole dance shoes are fine, no heels please) with form-fitting comfy clothes. Bring a hip scarf or borrow one!

No previous experience is needed!

Human Reformer
Dates: July 1 and August 12
Time: Noon-1 p.m.
Cost: $10 per class

This low-impact, mat-based Pilates workout uses resistance bands (often FlexKords) and bodyweight to mimic traditional reformer machine exercises. It focuses on core strength, postural alignment, and muscular control, allowing participants to use their own bodies as the “reformer” for a portable, cost-effective, full-body workout.

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