Creativity, Games & Movement

SUMMER 2023 SCHEDULE

These courses are interactive; members are able to practice or apply what they learn in class. OLLI membership is required to enroll in these courses.

Drawing is a Feeling, Part II: Exploring Light, Shade, and Shadow

6 Tuesdays, June 27–August 8 (no meeting July 4); 1–3:30pm

In this course, we investigate representational picture-making by exploring light, shade, and shadow. The instructor and students interact during class sessions, drawing together, sharing, and discussing individual processes. We draw the objects and spaces that surround us—things we see every day. Guest artists present and discuss their work, and museum and gallery educators, curators, and directors present virtual tours of relevant exhibitions. Drawing materials include drawing pads, HB to 6B drawing pencils, charcoal pencils/sticks, Micron pens, and sumi/India ink and brush.

REG# 392389 | INSTRUCTOR: Deborah Beth Cohen

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Qigong for a Healthy Body and Peaceful Mind

5 Tuesdays, June 27–August 1 (no meeting July 4); 1:30–3pm

Qigong involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. Qigong has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture. In this course, we practice with a Broad Prescription Qigong (BPQ) set of movements, using simple standing or seated postures, body movements, and harmonized breath to increase the body’s natural energy flow and fill the energy centers in the body with viral life force, or Qi.

Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 392377 | INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Barnes

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119.

Beginning Gentle Yoga

8 Wednesdays, June 28–August 16; 1–2:30pm

This is a slow meditative course, intended for those with little or no experience, or with physical limitations. We integrate awareness of breath with gentle movement to facilitate a feeling of wholeness, well-being, and joy. Mats are required.

Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 393080 | INSTRUCTOR: Doug Dee

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Life Stories that Stir the Soul

8 Wednesdays, June 28–August 16; 1–3pm

As we travel along life's path, our stories are the most precious gifts we can pass on. In this course, students are encouraged to write stories that have affected their hearts. Be they funny or sad, about good times or bad, each student has an opportunity to share a new short story every week. Write a story about the one that got away, or the one you decided to stay with. Write about the lessons you learned, the dinners you burned, or what you did when you came to a particular fork in your road.

This course has required weekly writing assignments. Students must meet weekly deadlines in order to receive instructor feedback and participate in group storytelling sessions.

REG# 392387 | INSTRUCTOR: Shelley Bonus

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Traditional Tai Chi

6 Thursdays, June 29–August 3; 1:30–3pm

Tai chi is well-known for bringing the mind, body, and spirit together to improve balance, prevent injury, and promote good health. This peaceful martial art helps to clear the mind, reduce stress, and enhance flexibility along with promoting overall wellness. The steps are soft and the slow movements are simple. The postures and movements accord with the principles of yin and yang and build an intimate awareness with one’s natural internal and external energy, building a great sense of inner peace. Each week, a new tai chi posture is introduced, followed by a 50-minute tai chi flow sequence. In this course, we learn how to open the body’s energy pathways and prepare for proper tai chi form training.

Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 392386 | INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Barnes

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119.

Intermediate Yoga

8 Thursdays, June 29–August 17; 6:30–8pm

This is a nurturing Hatha flow course intended for those with foundational experience practicing yoga. Meditation and yoga nidra will be integrated into our practice to enhance relaxation, renewal, and connecting to our true nature. Mats are required. Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 393078 | INSTRUCTOR: Doug Dee

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Beginning Mah-Jongg

6 Wednesdays, July 5–August 9; 10am–12pm

Mah-Jongg is a game of both skill and luck that originated in China many centuries ago. It was brought to the West in the 1920s, and is played with four players seated around a table. Tiles are shuffled, die are cast, and rituals involving the allocation of tiles and then the exchange of tiles begin. The first person to match a hand of 14 tiles and thus call “Mah-Jongg" ends the game, whereupon tiles are scored, and a winner is declared. This course introduces the beginner to the basic rules and simple strategies. Learn to play this enjoyable, social, and thought-provoking game! The first two class meetings are mandatory.

Every student will need to purchase the 2023 Mah-Jongg card from the National MahJongg League at: www.nationalmahjonggleague.org. The large card for $15.00 is preferred.

REG# 392609 | INSTRUCTOR: Orna Manavi

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A.

Intermediate Mah-Jongg

6 Wednesdays, July 5–August 9, 1–3pm

Intermediate Mah-Jongg is designed for players who already understand the basic rules of play and have had some experience playing the game and wish to further develop their skills. The goals of the class include: better understanding of reading the Mah-Jongg card, developing strategies for choosing the hand of play, strategies for defensive play, and increasing the speed of play. There is plenty of time to practice all of these skills and have a great time.

Every student will need to purchase the 2023 Mah-Jongg card from the National MahJongg League at: www.nationalmahjonggleague.org. The large card for $15.00 is preferred.

REG# 392610 | INSTRUCTOR: Orna Manavi

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave, Room 119A.

Beginning Bridge, Part I

8 Mondays, July 17–September 11 (no meeting September 4); 1–3pm

The game of bridge combines partnership and social elements with challenging and infinitely varied mental stimulation. Scientific studies have shown the mental exercise afforded by bridge can even help ward off dementia while still being a lot of fun. This course introduces the language of bidding and the basics of card play, all with the end goal of being able to sit down in a foursome and play hands of bridge on your own. From people who have never played the game before to those interested in a refresher, this course gets you started in playing one of the most challenging and rewarding games there is.

REG# 392954 | INSTRUCTOR: Dawn Lee

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A.

Beginning Bridge, Part II {New Course}

8 Tuesdays, July 18–September 5; 1–3pm

This course follows Beginning Bridge, Part I, which introduces students to playing a hand and bidding a hand. In Part II, we pick up where we left off and continue to build on our knowledge base and develop our skills. We continue our competitive bidding skills, learn takeout doubles and two commonly used and important conventions: Stayman and Jacoby transfers. We practice our tools of promotion, developing long suits, finessing, and ruffing when in a suit contract. If time permits, we learn preemptive bidding.

Students enrolling in this course must have taken Beginning Bridge, Part 1, or the equivalent, or have instructor approval.

REG# 392953 | INSTRUCTOR: Dawn Lee

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A.

iPhone Photography Advanced Workshop: Creating Works of Art {New

Course}

7 Mondays, July 24–September 11 (no meeting September 4); 10am–12pm

In this advanced workshop, we review lighting, composition, and the iPhone’s camera functions in order to take well-exposed, sharp pictures. We study well-known photographers—such as nature photographer Galen Rowell, portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh, and street photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson—to understand how they conceived, composed, and created their art. We also explore phone apps like Waterlogue, Da Vinci, and Op Art to enhance and creatively change our original work. We then apply what we learn and take our photographic work to the next level. This is an interactive class; each week you are given an assignment which is critiqued the following week.

REG# 392470 | INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Demsky

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A.