Life Long Learning Class Descriptions
For Bekeley Adult School

(See the main Life Long Learning page for times, days and locations)
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Arthritis Relief
Chair class. Easy movement, self-massage and acupressure help with arthritis difficulties and increase overall sense of well-being.

Art History
Using the lives and times of the great artists, issues in Western Art History are discussed. Lecture, discussions, slides, films, books, museum outings.

Arts
Provides an opportunity for students to discover and enhance creative abilities and incorporate new skills while exploring a variety of art mediums, including painting, collage, holiday crafts, clay, paper mache, watercolor and various textile projects.

Baroque Music
A survey of the lives, times and music of the great Baroque composers, including Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Monteverdi, Rameau and many others.

Ceramics
Will acquaint the student with hand-building techniques and decorating low-fire clay in terms of the practical and the aesthetic. Techniques include pinch, coil, slab methods. The use of molds, decorating techniques and glazing are also covered. Class open to beginners as well as advanced students.

Chinese Art, History and Culture
This open forum/discussion class is designed for the curious and the would-be travelers. To facilitate understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, in general, is through exposure to Chinese art/archaeology, history, language, music and customs.

Clothing Construction
Students may wish to learn to sew for the first time, or to continue to build existing skills and receive help and advice on sewing projects. Instruction is given on the use of traditional sewing and overlock machines, on reading and following pattern instructions, and on techniques necessary for successful completion of sewing projects.

Contemporary Film
A discussion and viewing of contemporary films with an emphasis on understanding the social, cultural and artistic values inherent in each film. Class will view foreign and domestic feature films, including both narrative and documentary productions.

Critical Viewing
Examine the art and craft(iness) of short films, documentaries, the TV episode, commercials, etc. One or two short productions are viewed each week and the remainder of the session is spent in a discussion using DVD technology to carefully re-view.

Current Events
This is a discussion group aimed at keeping all involved on top of the current “hot-button” issues. Diverse points of view are encouraged and respected. Explore social, political and economic issues in the news around the world.

Drawing and Painting
Drawing taught in preparation for painting. No previous experience is necessary. Individualized instruction. We use multiple techniques based on the preferences of the student. Class is an on-going process. Students are responsible for their own art materials.

Feldenkrais
Gentle, slow-moving class done lying on mats. Increased awareness leads to easier, more comfortable and pleasurable movement. Mats provided.

Fold Dance
This class offers one hour of aerobic movement through international folk dance, including Balkan, European-International, American. No partner necessary.

Fun, Fitness & Dance
This is a full body workout emphasizing aerobic activity. The warm-up gently prepares the muscles and joints for rhythmical dance/movement to music. Free weights and Dyna bands are used for strength training. Cool down stretches are done on exercise mats on the floor. Students of varied abilities work together to have fun while becoming stronger.

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Gentle Yoga & Meditation
You will learn ways of moving, breathing and being still, which have only one purpose: To make you healthier and happier. Anyone who is able to sit and stand can benefit from this class.

Health Issues
Discussion of attitudes, concepts and experiences regarding topics relevant to aging, such as medication, prevention health practices, dementia, retirement, spirituality, etc. Sharing of personal concerns and experiences is a basic structure of this class.

Holistic Fitness
Fitness class stretching our body and mind through yoga, qigong and meditation ... to breathe in harmony with our universe.

Internet Plus
For students with basic computer skills. Internet research, on-line purchasing, email and attachments, as well as scanning, use of flash drives, manipulating digital images, producing word documents, CD copying, and DVD viewing and recording.

Introduction to Computers
For both beginning and experienced computerusers, this class offers provides self-paced instruction in mastering basic computer operations, using the Internet, word processing, graphics and photos. There is also ongoing support for personal projects like fl yers, information search, photo scrapbooks, and
email. Enroll anytime.
IYENGAR YOGA. Iyengar-style hatha Yoga: the major poses, modifi ed for the abilities
of seniors; breathing techniques; and relaxation with meditation features. Content covers
relevant anatomy, function, and applications to everyday living. Modifi cations allow
all levels of ability to participate. Yoga enhances strength, fl exibility, balance (physical
as well mental), and a sense of well-being.

Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar-style hatha Yoga: the major poses, modified for the abilities of seniors; breathing techniques; and relaxation with meditation features. Content covers relevant anatomy, function, and applications to everyday living. Modifications allow all levels of ability to participate. Yoga enhances strength, flixibility, balance (physical as well mental), and a sense of well-being.

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Latin Aerobics
One hour of stretch and strengthening exercises followed by one hour learning latin dances.

Life Stories
This group is for those primarily interested in memoir and the personal essay. Occasionally we have in-class writing exercises designed to generate subject matter and focus the group, but the emphasis is on friendly critique of the writing members do outside of class. All levels welcome.

Line Aerobics/Dance
Various levels. Introduction and review of current line dances. Emphasis on a variety of genre: Cha-cha, rumba, waltz, and two-step. No partner necessary. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels offered. Country & Western Line Dance (NBCC); Soul Line Dance (SBCC)

Living Planet
Using films, speakers, handouts, fieldtrips and class discussion, this course gives an introduction to the wildlife, biology and ecology of our home planet Earth.

Mature Drivers Class
Drivers 55 and over. Reduce auto insurance premiums by completing course. Covers California traffic laws, defensive driving techniques. Certficate good for three years. $10 fee includes certificate. More info...

Mind Aerobics
Play word games, create stories, solve puzzles, sing, play interactive games, and exercise your mind. Have fun while developing concentration, awareness and the ability to think more clearly.

Moving Qi
Learn to promote relaxation and increase circulation through acupressure and movement. Improve your balance, release tension and develop your strength. Learn traditional Asian methods for balancing the energy related to back pain, blood pressure, indigestion and other issues. This class promotes well-being and vitality at both the physical and emotional level.

Parkinson's Disease Movement
Based on John Argue's Parkinson's and the Art of Movement, class is designed to help with balance, flexibility and improved mobility.

Poetry Workshop
A safe place in which to write and share your work. Topics and exercises to help you write with skill and spontaneity. Each meeting includes three diverse projects. All skill levels are welcome

Read Aloud Theater
Come and read scenes from modern and classic plays. Learn to make the characters real and scenes dynamic. Discuss the distinction between a good play and a good production.

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Senior Performance/Dance
Saturday workshop held once a month in the multipurpose room at Berkeley Adult School. Various dance forms includ hula, tap, jazz, musical comedy.

Senior Tutors
Senior volunteers assisting elementary school students with reading.

Short Stories & Essays
Reading and discussion of contemporary shortshort stories and essays. Together we learn not only to become more exacting readers, but also to bring to the table the relevant ideas and personal experiences that will shed light on these short works.

Shakespeare Decoded
An ongoing study of Shakespeare's plays and poems. Students are taught how Shakespeare uses language and each student is encouraged to prepare speeches and sonnets for the class as well as read roles in complete plays. lecture, discussion, filmed plays & documentaries.

Tai-Chi
A physical and meditative approach to well-being attained by a series of simple, quiet and relaxed body movement. Unlike tradtional forms, Tai Chi Chih is based on "floating" hand/arm movements while rocking slowly back and forth with one leg in front of the other. Goals: body awareness, muscle relaxation to improve circulation of blood/lymph, and stress reduction.

Tap Dance
Various levels of tap dance as both aerobic and artistic movement progressing to a student performance.

Water Aerobics
Learn elements of body conditioning while engaging in low-impact water exercises.

World Drama
The class studies a series of classic dramas on set themes. After an introductory talk, each play is read aloud by the entire class and analyzed in depth, and then a performance or related work is viewed on dvd or video.

World Poetry
This course encompasses the great poets of many countries and languages. From Greek to Chinese to Japanese to Spanish, French, Italian and German. Students who speak a second language are encouraged to read in class along side the English translations.

Yoga
Provides opportunities to increase range of motion, strength and stamina. Coordination, balance, posture, breathing, and tension reduction are emphasized. Cognitive skills and body awareness are enhanced through poses and movements. Focus is on gentle stretches of muscle tissue and tendons/ligaments for the prevention of premature rigidity of the muscular system. Mats are required. Focus is placed on gaining these abilities safely at a rate suitable for each student.

Yoga Chair Exercises
This class includes doing exercises, mostly in chairs, to help the release of tension, increasing flexibility and mobility, with attention to the breath, body alignment and efficiency in movement. For students with mobility limitations.

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