Class Descriptions

Start your week with the ancient practice of yoga, breath work and mindfulness. This class is a hybrid of yoga and meditation because, well, they have been integrally connected and successfully practiced for 5,000 years! We will spend the hour in both movement and stillness, focusing on the calming and healing effects of the mind/body/breath connection developed millennia ago and being scientifically proven repeatedly. So, come join our early morning sangha and discover your inner wisdom, calm and comfort (or, at least, the pleasant edge of discomfort!) in a fun, supportive community of like-minded people. Bring your smile, curiosity and open mind (and bolster, if you have one!). See you there!

Dream of being an actor or missing your days on the stage? There is no moment like the present! Discover the joy of performance in this welcoming introduction to acting class designed specifically for older adults. Through fun exercises, improvisation, and short scene work, participants will build confidence, creativity, and stage presence. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to play, connect, and express yourself!

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST: Will Pellegrini received his BA in Theater from UCLA and his MFA in Directing from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Will has had an extensive television career; he’s worked in a variety of roles and on numerous TV shows, including Fox’s musical hit, Glee. Outside of television, Will is an independent filmmaker who’s directed several music videos and short films. His numerous LA theater credits include work at The Actors’ Gang, Theater of NOTE, and East LA College Theater Arts Department – where he’s an adjunct professor. He is also an award-winning scenic designer and puppeteer!

Learn to sew or enhance your existing sewing skills! Both beginning and advanced students are welcome. As we navigate the current safety and distancing requirements, instructor Cate Shaffer-Shelby will teach all levels of sewing in this class. You will learn the basic techniques of sewing, ranging from taking proper measurements, understanding fabrics, working with patterns, cutting the garment/project, threading & operating a sewing machine and basic garment construction techniques. For those without sewing machines, we have several machines and other sewing tools available for use when in the class. Students are responsible for supplying their own fabrics & sewing notions/supplies. This class is limited to 22.

Learn the basics of this age-old game, played by young and old. Join the likes of Warren Buffett and his bridge partner Bill Gates. Be prepared to knock-em dead at the Center’s Bridge Club. In this class, you will learn basics of Bidding, Defense, and Play of the Hand, the 3 major parts of the game. You will be playing a few hands of bridge in your very first class! Bridge can be the party plan for a fun Saturday afternoon or a lifelong endeavor. Sharpen memory and focus skills while learning this game. Come and enjoy an exciting time, meet new friends, acquire a new skill that will increase your enjoyment of life and expand your social circle.

Enhance your bridge skills with friends and fellow players in this exciting approach to learning the play of the hand. This class will cover playing in No Trump and Suit contracts covering topics such as the finesse, the hold-up play, the Rule of Eleven, and the Danger Hand. Also covered in this class is the topic of LEADS, vital to the play. As good bridge players know, the strategy to playing bridge is not just how to make your tricks in a difficult hand, but how to keep from messing up the easy ones. Join us for the challenge and fun!!

Are you craving self-reflection, self-discovery, and improved self-esteem? Do you have memories and family history that you would like to preserve? This memoir class will provide you with the fundamentals to write your life story. We will discuss your unique point of view, how to engage your senses in writing, and the importance of specificity and details. Designed for beginners as well as seasoned writers, this class will engage your brain, your heart, and your soul. Dive into your memories and experience the therapeutic value of getting it all down on paper. Fun exercises will help you remember the adventures you have had and the lessons you learned. At the completion of this class, you will have many valuable stories to pass down to your loved ones.

A continuation of elementary French -further study of the present tense, vocabulary acquisition, conversation practice for students who do not need to start at the very beginning: as in every French class, culture and language being inseparable, equal emphasis will be placed on both."