Center for Wellbeing & Happiness — Summer 2025 Schedule

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SUMMER 2025

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LOWER EASTSIDE GIRLS CLUB

July 9 to August 16 2025

Summer Hours

Wednesday 3:00 PM–8:00 PM Thursday 12:00 PM–8:00 PM Saturday 10:30 AM–3:30 PM

FREE AND FOR EVERYONE • WHERE SELF CARE BECOMES COMMUNITY CARE

Wellbeing Lounge Open Hours

Wednesday 5:30–7:30 PM Thursday 12:00–8:00 PM Saturday 10:30 aM –3:30 PM

Free Classes For All Classes taught by experienced staff and partner organizations.

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, free WiFi, our community library, and the company of our members in the Wellbeing Lounge!

A Space for Everyone

Programming for Lower East Side community members of all generations and genders.

A Space To Connect

Access to free, in-person classes and events at our Center on Avenue D.

FITNESS & MOVEMENT

Tai Chi

Adults • Open Level

Wednesdays • 3:30–4:30 PM

Instructor: Roberto Sharpe

Tai Chi is an art of balance and flow which promotes healthy bonedensity and blood circulation through low-impact conditioning. This class follows the Yang-style Tai Chi tradition, known for its ease of learning and ease of practice. Using consistent and gentle rotations of the body, this class can bring relief for elders and those recovering from injuries.

Step & Sip

Adults • Open Level

Thursdays • 5:00–6:30 PM

Instructor: Valerie Galindo

Breathe in the fresh summer air, get your steps in, and fuel your body with refreshing and delicious beverages! Each session will begin with hands-on juice and smoothie-making, using seasonal fruits, veggies, and herbs expertly combined to unlock key nutritional health benefits, and that taste as good as they make you feel. We will then head outdoors for 45 minutes of walking at a relaxed, social pace and rediscover the beauty of our neighborhood. Stay active and connected through movement, conversation, and delicious, healthful drinks all summer long!

Chair Yoga

Adults • Beginner Level

Thursdays • 12:30–1:30 PM

Instructor: Diana Diaz

Yoga is an ancient practice that can allow us to harness the healing power of our own bodies throughout all stages of life. In Chair Yoga, we practice stretching and gentle body movements to free the joints, increase bone density, strengthen muscles; and improve balance, flexibility, and blood flow. Through the addition of meditation and breathwork, we can improve sleep, sharpen concentration, and manage our stress.

Rest and Restore Yoga

Adults • Open Level

Saturdays • 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Instructor: Alexandra Royals

Rest and Restore Yogais a slow, meditative, and passive style of yoga, incorporating both Yin, and Restorative poses and principles to improve the flow of energy in the body. The poses performed in this class are held for 3–5 minutes with the use of props and target deep connective tissues in the body, such as the fascia. By holding poses

for an extended period of time while focusing on deep breathing, we can increase circulation in the body, reduce anxiety, and improve joint mobility and flexibility. This is an introductory class open to all levels looking for a quiet space to rest and restore.

Get Your Fit Together

All Ages • Open Level

Saturdays • 11:00–12:00 PM

Instructor: Tara Crichlow

Get Your Fit Together is an engaging community movement class designed to energize your body, sharpen your mind, and lift your spirits through dance! This class supports your overall fitness and well-being by building flexibility, mobility, strength, and resilience. We will start with a guided warm-up to increase range

of motion, loosen up tight muscles, and prepare your body for safe and effective movement. Whether you’re new to fitness or a seasoned athlete, this is a supportive environment to practice practical exercises that will enhance your balance, coordination, and everyday strength.

ARTS & CREATIVITY

Mindful Making

Adults • Open Level

Thursdays • 2:30–4:00 PM

Instructor: Amarilis Jimenez

Unplug, unwind, and rediscover your creative spark in Mindful Making, a wellness-focused art class designed for adults in a calm, welcoming atmosphere that supports self-expression. Each week, we’ll explore a different art medium—from vibrant tie dye, to soothing paint pouring, intricate mosaics, and delicate crepe paper flowers. No experience needed—just a willingness to play, create, and connect.

Express Yourself

Wednesdays • 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Instructor: Shyvonne Sanganoo

Express Yourself invites you to explore the power of self-expression, intentional self-care, and personal advocacy—from the inside out. This series offers a mix of guided reflection, creative exploration, and real-world inspiration. Each session centers around a unique theme—ranging from personal style and identity, to movement and mindfulness, to music and storytelling—followed by either a special guest speaker or an off-site experiential visit. Wherever you are on your journey, this class offers a supportive space to explore your voice, values, and creativity.

Open Turntables

Open Level

Select Thursdays • 5:00–8:00 PM

July 24 • August 14

Instructor: Kelly Webb

Step behind the decks or hit the dance floor at Open Turntables, a welcoming space for DJs to sharpen their skills and music lovers to connect, move, and vibe. Whether you’re a beginner looking to practice your first mix or a seasoned selector testing a new sound, this is your stage. Each session offers open slots for DJs to spin in a live, supportive environment — no ego, just energy. For the community, it’s a chance to discover fresh talent, dance to diverse sounds, and be part of a growing culture rooted in rhythm and inclusion. Come to spin, stay to connect. All styles welcome.

Liberation Lab

Saturdays • 12:00—1:30 PM

Instructor: Kelly Webb

What can past social justice movements teach us about freedom today? In this powerful podcasting course, we’ll study global and local liberation struggles— from anti-colonial resistance to Black freedom movements—and explore how their lessons can guide us in our own lives. Students will craft and record a short personal story rooted in a challenge they’ve overcome, using the mic as a tool for truth, healing, and resistance. Your voice matters—and this is where it begins.

GardenWise: Urban Skills for a Sustainable Future

Ages 18+

Wednesdays • 3:00–4:30 PM

Instructor: Albert Nguyen

Get your hands dirty while exploring the key principles of sustainability through the lens of composting, soil science, and regenerative urban agriculture. Learn how to reduce waste with composting, understand what makes soil healthy and resilient, and discover innovative techniques for growing food in urban environments. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to deepen your knowledge, this class will equip you with practical tools to build a greener, more sustainable future right in your own community.

Grown-Up & Me Cooking Class

Parents with Children Ages 0–5

Select Thursdays: • 6:00–7:30 PM

July 17 • August 7

Instructor: For the Family NYC

Let your child take the lead in learning to prepare a nutritious meal! Through exploration & preparation of food, caregivers provide hands-on support to their child as they practice STEAM skills, improve cognitive, social emotional, and gross/fine motor skills. This workshop will invite children to develop interdependence and engage in circle time, creating a meal to share, sensory play, and kitchen safety with same-age peers in a supportive and loving environment.

Earth-Friendly Essentials: Pickle, Preserve, and Compost

Ages 18+

Saturdays • 2:00–3:30 PM

Instructor: Albert Nguyen

Get ready to learn some amazing skills to help you live more sustainably! In this class, we’ll explore how to pickle, ferment, and preserve food, so you can enjoy delicious and nutritious foods that last a long time. We’ll also discover ways to reduce waste, compost, and make the most of what we have. Through fun, hands-on projects, and exploring our garden you’ll learn how to turn plants and everyday items into essentials that support a healthier you and a healthier planet.

Nourishing Communities:

Food Justice and Advocacy

All ages are welcome!

Select Saturdays• 1:00–3:00 PM

July 12, July 26, August 9

Partners: Lower East Side Ecology Center, Everyday Democracy, Cafeteria Culture, Amanda Henson

Join us for an enriching journey into the world of food justice through an engaging and hands-on workshop series designed for you to connect with peers of all ages and build meaningful relationships across generations. This series blends education, advocacy, and creativity to empower participants to make meaningful changes in their communities. Whether you’re new to the concept of food justice or a seasoned advocate, this workshop series offers something for everyone. Join us as we work together towards a more just and equitable food system for all. Space is limited. Preference will be given to participants who are able to attend all sessions.

y Session 1: Understanding Food Justice

y Session 2: Advocacy and Action

y Session 3: Art and Activism

y Session 4: Farm Visit

Community Game Night

All ages are welcome

Wednesdays • 6:00—8:00 PM

Instructor: Vargas

Looking for a fun, relaxed way to spend your evening with family, friends, and neighbors? Join us for Community Game Night, held every Wednesday evening! Featuring a fun selection of board games, card games, and group games for all ages and skill levels. Whether you love strategy games, classics like Uno or Scrabble, or silly party games that get everyone giggling, there’s something here for you. Little ones welcome too –we’ll have simple games and coloring activities available for younger children!

L.E.S. Bookworms Ages 18+

Select Thursdays • 6:30–8:00 PM

July 10, July 31

Registration will close July 10

Must be available to attend both sessions

LES gets lit, and by lit, we mean get down with the literature. Join Kiera Del Vecchio (Senior Program Manager) and Jayleen Rosario (Community Wellness Coordinator) for our Summer book club. We intend to create a meaningful space where we take reading outside of being a solitary act, and into a shared experience where we can build and deepen our connection with the texts, and each other.

Parent Peer Circle

Adults

Thursdays • 5:00 PM–7:00 PM

Instructor: Rise

The Parent Peer Circle provides community-led support to facilitate families’ wellbeing! Circle keeping is a restorative justice practice used to address community conflict, and it is rooted in African, Indigenous, and Native American cultures. In circle keeping, everyone shares the same amount of power; therefore, everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Unlike most interactions we have, restorative justice circles encourage us to share our stories and to listen deeply to others as they share theirs. Our circle will help us to recognize that we are all connected as community members, regardless of our individual journeys.

Mamahood Meetup

Mothers & Babies ages 0–3

Select Saturdays • 1:30–3:00 PM

July 12 • August 2

Instructor: Lorain Alba

Like the shift from childhood to adulthood, the transition to parenthood can bring great joys and big challenges. Mamahood Meetup is a nurturing environment for moms to explore this transition together through shared conversation, resources, and support for each other and for their children. Moms will have the opportunity to learn from one another and engage in fun sensory-based activities and play with their babies to promote early childhood motor, cognitive, and social/ emotional development. Whether you are a new mom for the first, or even second, third, or fourth, Mamahood Meetup is a safe, non-judgmental space for you.

SUMMER 2025 CLASS SCHEDULE

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