Creativity, Games & Movement

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 Studio

6 Tuesdays, September 26 – October 31, 1–3:30pm

This course provides an interactive virtual studio: to draw, to practice, and to investigate. With drawing as the basis, we practice techniques that explore gesture, line, contour, shade, shadow, light, form, space, and weight, as well as a variety of mediums and materials. To bolster enthusiasm and nurture creativity, we visit a museum at UCLA to draw in an inspiring physical space. Suggested prerequisite: Drawing is a Feeling I and/or II, or some previous drawing experience is helpful.

Class discussions will be on Zoom. Field trip will be offsite.

REG# 393751 | 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.

Beginning Mah-Jongg

6 Wednesdays, September 27–November 1, 9:30am–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 “MahJongg" 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 2023/24 Mah-Jongg card from the National MahJongg League at: www.nationalmahjonggleague.org. The large card for $15.00 is preferred.

REG# 393623 | 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, September 27–November 1, 1–3:30pm

Intermediate Mah-Jongg is designed for players who already understand the basic rules of play, with some experience playing the game, and wish to further develop their skills. The goals of the class include a 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 2023/24 Mah-Jongg card from the National MahJongg League at: www.nationalmahjonggleague.org. The large card for $15.00 is preferred.

REG# 393624 | INSTRUCTOR: Orna Manavi

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

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

Life Stories that Stir the Soul

8 Wednesdays, September 27–November 15, 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 requires weekly writing assignments. Students must meet weekly deadlines in order to receive instructor feedback and participate in group storytelling sessions.

REG# 393340 | INSTRUCTOR: Shelley Bonus

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

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

Beginning Gentle Yoga

8 Wednesdays, September 27–November 15, 1–2:30pm

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

REG# 393546 | INSTRUCTOR: Mona Wells

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

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

Smart Movement Solutions: Finding a Mind Body Balance

10 Thursdays, September 28–December 7 (no meeting Nov 23), 10–11am

The Feldenkrais Method® works slowly and systematically to build new patterns of movement. By doing very small and easy but complex movement puzzles, we learn to rewire our nervous systems to align mind with body. In this course, we become experts at knowing how our bodies work—what is possible and easy and what is more difficult or even impossible at the time. We experiment with variations in our movement patterns to build resiliency and expand our repertoire of ways to do the same movements with refinement. The movement strategies we use are small and slow to maximize a way for your brain to learn better habits. This is not a standard exercise class. Anyone can benefit since the emphasis is on learning as we once did as babies—organically. Discover the pleasure of moving painlessly and gracefully.

Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 394203 | INSTRUCTOR: Stacy Barrows

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

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

Intermediate Yoga

8 Thursdays, September 28–November 16, 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# 393547 | INSTRUCTOR: Mona Wells

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

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

iPhone Photography Workshop: Creating Works of Art

8 Mondays, October 2–November 27 (no meeting Nov 20), 10am–12pm

In this course, we review how to take an in-focus, well-exposed picture and how to crop and edit it. We work with elements of composition, color, and lighting, so your photo has an impact. We discuss different apps to give your photos uniqueness and a type of artistry. Posing, photo books, matting, and displaying your photos will also be discussed. This is an interactive class; each week you are given an assignment which is critiqued the following week.

REG# 393343 | INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Demsky

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

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

Poker Fundamentals 2

6 Mondays, October 2–November 6, 1–3pm

Poker (and No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em in particular) has been gaining a lot of publicity lately through media such as ESPN. In this intermediate (non-beginner's) class, we expect prior knowledge of the basic rules, in order to concentrate on expanding from there. More specifically, we work on various strategy topics, such as opening charts, bet sizing, hand reading, odds, popular misconceptions, and others. We also dedicate at least an hour each week playing the game and applying the concepts real-time. The course is designed for retaking, as long as you have knowledge of the basics (rules, structure, betting, etc.).

REG# 394519 | INSTRUCTOR: Duncan Palamourdas

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

6 Tuesdays, October 3–November 14 (no meeting October 10), 1:30–3pm

Qigong improves the various bodily functions by improving the body's natural energy flow and capacity with simple standing or seating postures, body movement and harmonized breath. The simple movements were developed by Chinese over the last 5000 years to follow the natural flow of the earth's energy and improve the circulation of internal Qi (Chi) from the body and external Qi from nature. In this course, we practice with various 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 vital life force, or Qi. Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 393631 | INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Barnes

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

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

Tai Chi for Anxiety and Better Balance

6 Thursdays, October 5–November 16 (no meeting October 12), 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 strengthen an intimate awareness with one’s natural internal and external energy, building a great sense of inner peace. In this course, a new tai chi posture is introduced each week after a one-hour tai chi flow sequence. In the process, we learn how to open the body’s energy pathways and prepare for proper tai chi form training, while focusing on deepening our balance and reducing anxiety. Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 393640 | INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Barnes

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

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