Lake Chapala Society Newsletter – August 2026

CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

Improve your Spanish, deepen your understanding of Mexican culture, or learn to dance Swing with our practical and engaging August programs.

Mexican Manners

Wednesday August 5th-10 am to 12 pm

Instructor: Victor Camarena

Members: $532.00 | General: $760.00

Explore local customs, communication styles, body language, and the mindset behind everyday interactions.

Introduction to Spanish

Thursday August 6, 13 and 20 -. 10 am to 12 pm

Instructor: Inez Dayer

Members: $553.00 | General: $790.00

A three-session class for those with no prior Spanish experience. Learn pronunciation, essential vocabulary, and everyday expressions—from greetings and questions to numbers.

Basic West Coast Swing for Fun

Saturdays August 8, 15, 22 and 29. 12 pm to 1 pm

Instructor: Jay Holman

Members: $1050.00 | General: $1500.00

This accelerated, skills-first approach helps you dance confidently in just a few hours so you’ll have fun and feel like you’re dancing—not memorizing steps.

Get your Jalisco Driver’s License without losing your mind

Wednesdays August 12 and 19. 10 am to 12 pm

Instructor: Victor Camarena

Members: $602.00 | General: $860.00  

Two-session class covering documents, procedures, traffic rules, and test preparation, ending with group exams at the Chapala licensing office.

SPANISH PRONUNCIATION

Tuesday August 18, 25 and Sept. 1st.

Instructor: Gareth Collingwood

Members Fee $602.00 | General Fee $860

Master Spanish phonology to reduce accents, avoid misunderstandings, and better understand spoken Spanish in daily life.

Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT as your Smart Assistance

Monday August 24^th, 1 pm to 3 pm

Instructor: Peter Jeschofnig

Members: $336.00 | General: $480.00

Learn to use AI and ChatGPT to write emails, improve writing, translate languages, plan trips, organize ideas, and spark creativity. PLEASE BRING A LAPTOP or A SMART PHONE.

Meditation & Everyday Mindfulness

Your LCS membership includes free access to these activities.

Everyday Mindfulness

Mondays, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, in the Ken Gosh Pavilion.

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Meditation

Tuesdays, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, in the Gazebo.

Raise Your Spiritual IQ – Spiritual discussion series

Tuesdays, 2:00 – 3:15 pm.

Call Andrea at 669 431 8484 for info.

Gentle Yoga & Body Awareness

Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am, in the Blue Umbrella Patio.

“NIA” Fitness / Joy of Movement

Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 am, in the Gazebo

Iyengar Yoga

Fridays, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, in the Gazebo.

For more information about classes and activities please email education@lcsac.org or visit the Education and Culture Department at LCS main campus.

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Sundays, 10:15–11:30 a.m.

Lake Chapala Society Campus, Ajijic

Schedule subject to change. All are welcome; no cost to attend (donations welcome).

August 2

Men’s Health After 50: What the Body Tries to Tell Us

Presenter: Dr. Santiago Hernández

This presentation explores the connections between the heart, hormones, sleep, metabolism, mood, and lifestyle, revealing how they influence health and longevity. Drawing on current medical understanding, it explains why certain conditions become more common with age, why warning signs often go unnoticed, and how practical, sustainable habits can help protect long-term energy, health, and longevity.

Dr. Santiago Hernández is a Mexican-American physician who has practiced primary care and longevity medicine in the Lake Chapala area for more than a decade. He completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University and earned his medical degree in Guadalajara.

August 9

Twelve Years of Music, Education, and Community at Lakeside

Presenter: Eleazar Soto

For more than twelve years, musician Eleazar Soto has worked to make music accessible to children, youth, and adults while bringing internationally acclaimed artists to Lake Chapala through El Lago Suena. This presentation traces the story behind that vision, the partnerships that made it possible, and how music, education, and community have come together to help place Lakeside on the international cultural map.

Eleazar Soto is a saxophonist, guitarist, educator, and cultural producer who has lived in Ajijic for the past twelve years. A graduate of the School of Music at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and certified by Mexico’s Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP).

August 16

The Most Famous Forgotten Founder of America

Presenter:  Mark Donaldson

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this presentation explores the extraordinary life of the revolutionary writer whose words inspired independence, sustained the fight for freedom, challenged slavery, and influenced leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. Discover why Paine became one of the most celebrated—and ultimately most overlooked—figures of the American Revolution.

Mark Donaldson is an active member of the Lakeside theater community, having appeared in numerous productions with Lakeside Little Theatre, Bare Stage, and Bravo Theatre. Portraying Thomas Paine in Jeffrey Smith’s acclaimed solo work, Donaldson experienced a personal “Great Awakening” about one of America’s most influential yet overlooked Founding Fathers.

August 23

From AIDS to Ajijic Cares: Three Generations, One Conversation

Presenters: Bobby Lancaster, Mitsunari Zapata and KJ Purcell-Beard

Through an intergenerational conversation, leaders from Ajijic Cares reflect on the organization’s evolution from HIV awareness to broader sexual health education and community engagement. Along the way, they explore changing attitudes toward HIV, sexuality, stigma, and care while examining why the lessons of the AIDS crisis remain relevant today. Their stories offer a thoughtful perspective on compassion, education, and building healthier, more informed communities.

Bobby Lancaster, KJ Purcell-Beard, and Mitsunari Zapata represent three generations of leadership within Ajijic Cares. Bobby helped establish the organization’s roots through World AIDS Day efforts in Lakeside. KJ serves as president during a period of growth and transition. Mitsu, a psychologist and sexual educator, leads the organization’s year-round educational and community programs focused on sexual health, prevention, and access to resources.

August 30

Finding Your Flow: Living with Greater Ease, Presence, and Purpose

Presenter: William “Be” Arsdale

This presentation explores the nature of flow, examining how fear, resistance, expectations, and unconscious habits can interrupt it, and how greater awareness, presence, and emotional understanding can help restore it. Attendees will discover practical insights for recognizing patterns, responding more consciously to life’s challenges, and cultivating a greater sense of ease, connection, and well-being.

William “Be” Van Arsdale is a writer, facilitator, and longtime student of contemplative philosophy, emotional awareness, and personal transformation. Drawing on decades of life experience, spiritual inquiry, and reflective practice, he explores how presence, conscious choice, and emotional understanding can foster greater ease, connection, and meaning in everyday life.