Classes & Special Events   

Explore meditation and the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda through an engaging 7-week journey designed to support balance, vitality, and overall well-being. Participants learn practical meditation techniques, receive an individualized mantra, and are introduced to Ayurveda—a holistic system of wellness that emphasizes understanding the mind-body constitution. Through simple Ayurvedic practices, students will explore how food choices, daily routines, rest, and self-care can support energy, digestion, sleep, and emotional balance. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity, openness, and a desire to thrive.

This course raises awareness about mental health in older adulthood by exploring four key areas:

-understanding mental health

-the physical challenges that influence emotional wellbeing

-the impact of ageism on selfperception -the barriers to care and advocacy.

The discussions and presentations focus on education, empowerment, and connecting individuals with supportive resources in their communities.

You might remember that Apple announced impressive new A.I. features to their operating systems two years ago, and then, in a rare slip, failed to deliver what they had promised. This spring, Apple is finally releasing significant upgrades to “Apple Intelligence,” including much-anticipated improvements to Siri.

This class will cover these features, the new Siri, and— importantly—how to get the most from them. There is no reason to be afraid of this kind of A.I. These capabilities are game changers that will fundamentally improve (and make easier) the way in which you interact with your phone, iPad, and Mac.

don’t know how to get started using it? Join this class and choose from popular free apps like; WhatsApp, LinkedIn, YouTube, Uber, Google Maps, Eventbrite, or AI apps like Canva, IoT, Invideo AI, Bluesky, Gemini, Llama, Copilot. Many are part of the social media environment. Or you could learn about gifs, memes, or how to navigate the huge selection on Amazon, the App Store, or Google Play Store. This hands-on class helps you practice using the apps you choose. You can learn on all devices and platforms, including computers or mobile devices. Bring a charged mobile device to class.

The more advanced recorder players participate in a group. Students will analyze and interpret the music and improve their playing!

Join us as we progress along the “path to perfection”.

This class is for “beyond beginners”. Bring your own recorder, either soprano or alto.

From 1892 -1895 Antonin Dvorak was director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City and became acquainted with and enamored by an African American style of music that he described in this way: “These beautiful and varied themes are the product of the soil. They are American.” Join us to explore the contributions and influence of African American musicians on genres of jazz and classical from 16th century America to present-highlighting performers and composers such as Scott Joplin, Florence Price, Marian Anderson, Jon Batiste and Carlos Simon.

Explore the rich world of art history through engaging discussions and visual examples. This class invites you to discover influential artists, movements, and cultural moments that have shaped the art world, encouraging connection and conversation along the way.

How did we accumulate all this stuff? Why can’t we let it go? Many of us are retired and taking a closer look at the space around us. Perhaps you see closets, a spare room or a garage full of things you once used but no longer need. Are you planning a move and finding it hard to decide what to keep. If you have tried before to lighten your load but have not been successful, this class is for you! Find out what is holding you back so you can move forward. Avoid the frustration of things misplaced or lost. Experience the freedom of finding a place for everything you truly need, use and love. This class will provide information, strategies, helpful tools and a chance to have your questions answered in a positive and supportive atmosphere.

Class will be for beginners who want to learn how to use this Artificial Intelligence technology in everyday life. Focus will be on Apple devices. Bring your iPhone or iPad. iPads are available for classroom use.

Create art pieces using a variety of art supplies and other materials.

Class members will use different techniques, mediums, and materials combined on each piece.

A list of materials will be sent out before the first class.

Explore thought-provoking, contemporary nonfiction books in this engaging book club who want to stay informed and connected to the world. We examine compelling works on politics, history, public policy, and current events, exploring how these forces shape our society and daily lives. We'll examine the housing crisis reshaping American communities, from families working full-time yet unable to secure stable housing, to the massive climate-driven migration already underway across the nation. We'll explore how economic forces and environmental change are fundamentally altering where and how Americans live, and what these profound shifts reveal about inequality, policy choices, and our collective future.

Spring books: April 24 – "There Is No Place for Us" by Brian Goldstone

                        May 22 – "The Great Displacement" by Jake Bittle

For Beginners and also people who played previously. Learn to play bridge the modern way.

Each class includes the play of 8 hands related to the subject taught.

Topics include introduction to bridge, opening a major, opening a minor, no trump, and Stayman.

Pay the additional $20 card fee to the LB Bridge Center.

Prerequisite: Bridge 1 or knowledge of Bridge 1 materials.

Topics include: major suit transfers,“Two Over One” bidding, one no trump forcing, overcalls, takeout doubles, negative doubles, plus an in-class tournament for master points.

Pay an additional $20 card fee to LB Bridge Center. 

This class is being offered in conjunction with the exhibit at LACMA, “Realms of the Dharma”, on view through July 12th.

Starting with some basic questions: Who was the Buddha? What is Buddhism? We’ll then move on to the origins of Buddhist art in India and examine how Buddhism and the visual image of the Buddha adapted to new cultures as it was transmitted throughout Asia (the Himalayas, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan, SE Asia). Objects on view at LACMA will be supplemented with objects, sculpture, painting and architecture from other museums and archaeological sites.

Finally, we may attempt to answer how Buddhist thought and practice are reflected in the art

Explore a hidden facet of art history with us as we discuss and view watercolors in the “California Style” that thrived between the 1920's and mid-60's. Learn about these multi-talented artists who against the backdrop of the Depression and WWII began to experiment with bold design and color. They used broad brushstrokes and stylized landscapes to render local scenes of everyday life in California. We will focus on Millard Sheets and his circle including major watercolor artists Phil Dike, Rex Brandt, Emil J. Kosa Jr., and Phil Paradise. Many artists who worked in the burgeoning entertainment industry including luminaries such as Lee and Mary Blair (Disney), Tyrus Wong (Disney) and Dong Kingman (Universal) will be discussed in depth. Discover how our California artists re-imagined the medium of watercolor and exported it to the world.

Whether you are an experienced singer or have always desired to sing, this creative chorus is for you. Together we will gain confidence in our natural singing abilities and musicianship. Performances will be scheduled when we are fully prepared.

Fee for music scores. A pencil w/eraser and a 1” BLACK 3 ring binder are required

Stay informed and have your say on the news of the day. Instructors will choose a few current event topics each week, give a brief presentation for each and then ask for thoughtful comments and questions from the class. Discussions are very much valued and are the core of the class. Class members are also encouraged to choose a topic of their own and present it for discussion.

“Drawing for All - Beginning” is a great introductory or refresher course. In this course we cover the Elements and Principles of Art. You will learn basic skills and techniques as a beginning artist or sharpen your skills. “Drawing for All” will teach basics and allow you time to hone skills. Contact the olli office or Valerie for the list of materials needed.

These stores have a variety of art supplies, pencils, paints, brushes, papers, etc. Daiso: 1926 N. Lakewood Blvd. LB 90815 Five Below: 5545 Stearns St. LB, 90815

Dungeons & Dragons has had quite a resurgence but many people are a little intimidated by playing, finding a group, or running a game. Whether you’ve played as a kid and want a refresher or you’ve never played before, this class will get you battle-ready! Learn the basics of the game, some history, and some Table Top Role Playing Game (TTRPG) alternatives to D&D. We’ll also learn where to find a game you can join or how to start one yourself, as well as where to find groups and online games.

Class fee: $10.00 for materials.

Learn all about e mail and how to use Apple mail. New features allow you to look at multiple e mail addresses in one app. Bring your questions and sample tasks. iPads are available for classroom use.

Adopted in 1958, the Constitution of France’s Fifth Republic has proven to be one of the most resilient political systems in modern Europe. Despite repeated political crises, shifting party landscapes, and social unrest, it has endured for nearly seventy years. This five-week course explores how the Fifth Republic came into being, how it works, and why it has so far resisted collapse. The course is designed for curious, engaged learners with an interest in history, politics, and comparative government.

No prior knowledge of French politics is required.

Learn the fundamentals of finger style, Travis picking, finger rolls, thumb independence, and chord melodies. Review knowledge of chords and positions. Learn a variety of song styles, including: traditional, folk, country, blues, and jazz.

The class will focus on Geopolitical hot spots, including updates on China’s internal challenges, China vs. US and our global allies, the global impact of technology, Health Care and other new geopolitical challenges.

 Less clutter, more storage-sound like a dream? It can be your reality. Learning the ABCs of managing your clutter results in a peaceful life.

A: Act-If you want to do it, act on it now.

B: Break It Down-A project is easier to do if you break it into manageable parts.

C: Containerize-Store belongings in seethrough, plastic containers. And more.... 

We will begin the class learning guitar nomenclature and how to tune the guitar. Learn strumming techniques next, and then basic chord structures and how to change from one chord to another. Finally, we will work on playing a favorite song.

Students need a guitar-steel or nylon string (preferred) guitar and a smile!

FREE SPECIAL EVENT

From the mid-1930s until the end of the WWII, the Nazi regime carried out a campaign of sustained antisemitic persecution that developed into a coordinated program of mass murder. Millions of Jewish people were killed; many different communities were shattered – and not just people were destroyed but entire ways of life. The Holocaust will soon pass out of living memory, leaving us without the first-hand testimony of eyewitnesses and survivors.

The Cypress College Holocaust Survivor’s Portrait Gallery will help to preserve their stories and to ensure the world never forgets what they experienced. The portraits go beyond likenesses and capture the essence of the survivor’s character and their resilience in the face of unspeakable horror and loss. The Holocaust matters because as it was happening, much of the world stood by and watched—not just Germans, not just Europeans—the world.

Today, we use the Holocaust to remember that we, as world citizens, can and must do better. Join a docent narrated tour of the Gallery, meet the photographer, see the portraits which will spark empathy and admiration as you hear their stories. The event concludes with a group discussion.

Samuel Hahnemann, a physician, born in 1755 began exploring a new way of treating patients in a time when mercury, leeches, bloodletting was used, thereby creating principles that he came to call homeopathy. We have been using this medicine for over 200 years. T

oday, homeopathy is/has been reemerging as a natural, holistic medicine because of its mind-body connection; individualized care; and the public (again) questioning the overuse of drugs marketed by the pharmaceutical companies. We'll learn principles of homeopathy; the process of making them; why homeopathy is unique; how to easily use them for your family and selfcare (first-aid, surgery, insomnia, arthritis, flu) and allowing the body to heal.

CSULB, HS&D, rm 101 / Hyflex
It’s one thing to conjecture how AI may affect humanity at some future time, but it’s another to see how AI is being used right now. Louise Soe, who has taught several OLLI classes about what AI may do, has invited speakers who are dealing with the challenges of AI at work right now. In this class, you will learn how the City of Long Beach’s Smart City Initiative is managing the trade-offs between digital technologies that provide services and improve efficiency and public safety, with individual data privacy, when those technologies collect images and other individual data. A CSULB professor will describe her experience leading citizen “data walks” during which she discussed these smart technologies and gathered citizen reactions--and her current efforts to resolve these trade-offs. You’ll hear about the challenges faced by a high school teacher of AP history courses with heavy writing components. The CSULB librarian in charge of digital literacy and ethics will talk about preparing students to deal with digital privacy and the ethical use of chatbots. Two CSULB professors who received CSU grants to develop AI tools for classroom and teaching will describe and demonstrate their projects. Should be a lively class, so be prepared to listen and ask questions.

Mushroom Montoya has been involved in the practice of shamanism since 1981. Some things are best learned when experienced, first hand. Learning to ride a bicycle is best learned by getting onto the bike and peddling. Learning about shamanism is best learned by going on a shamanic journey.

Purpose of the class: You will learn how to journey into non-ordinary reality. You will experience, first hand, meeting spirit helpers. We will share our experiences with the other students. Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice known to humankind. Shamans have and still act as healers, doctors, priests and priestesses, psychotherapists, mystics, and storytellers. Shamans journey to receive information, inspiration, healing and knowledge.

Become a Lifewell Changemaker in this four-week class for active elders ready to share life wisdom and create social impact.

Gain practical skills in transformational leadership, group facilitation, coaching techniques, and mastery of ABCD Living. Working in collaborative trios, you will design a real-world community service project that bridges generations, reduces social isolation, and strengthens civic connection—preparing you to lead future Lifewell Wisdom Circles and contribute to the growing Lifewell Sharing Movement aligned with LA28 wellness initiatives.

Movement with low impact, non-aerobic practice to prevent disease, protect your health, increase concentration with meditation. Do nothing that hurts or feels uncomfortable.

Objectives: Develop better balance; increase physical strength by stretching muscles, tendons; and supply greater amounts of oxygen to the body through deep breathing.

Equipment: BRING YOUR OWN POLE. Purchase a collapsible painter’s extension pole that opens to 3-4 “ longer than your height, with rubber (not plastic) end caps (Ace Hardware or Lowe’s). Wear tennis shoes and loose, layered clothing.

In an encouraging setting for all level of writers, this class will provide an opportunity to create a collection of short writings that reflect the moments that have shaped you as a person. Do you recall a time in childhood which helped steer who you became as an adult? Maybe you nursed a parent through their last moments and never shared the experience. These memories could be shared in a writing collection.

Each week students will write twosingle pages at home in response to a prompt provided by the instructor. The papers will not be reviewed for grammar or spelling, but students must read aloud their writings in a friendly group setting. At the end of the course, this collection of short writings will serve as a memoir keepsake.

In this course, we will explore how to open up in many ways. This kind of processing can be used to improve your health or well-being, or simply help you live with more peace and awareness. Topics we will cover include:

• Ways to recognize the connection between your body, mind, and spirit.

• Ways to calm and open your body and mind.

• Ways to practice self-reflection.

• Ways to tune in to guidance and love.

The concepts in this course will be presented in a fun and engaging way through stories, information, and personal activities.

For beginning students this is an Introduction to basic knitting and crochet stitches which will be class demonstration and individual instruction. Information covered in class will include, types of stitches, stitch abbreviations, pattern interpretation and basic tools/supplies.

Beginners, on the first day of class please bring a skein of size 4 or worsted yarn, and either size 7 or 8 knitting needles or a size H or I crochet hook, depending on your desire to learn knitting or crochet. 

 Intermediate students will continue to work on their projects with instruction and assistance from the instructor as needed. 

Did you study French in high school or college and wish that you could have continued your studies? Have you been using Duo Lingo or other online classes but want to have feedback from a live Frenchspeaking person? If so, this course is for you! Come to refresh your memory and ignite your ability to speak and understand French through a variety of modalities.

Guided conversations, vocabulary building, review of essential grammar, and training in proper pronunciation will be supported by a little reading, a little writing, and songs. This course is for those with some knowledge of French and is not intended to be a first-time experience in learning French. Parlons Francais is offered twice each week.

The same content will be presented on Mondays and Saturdays.

Please register for your preferred section and thank you in advance for not asking to make up absences by attending the other session. 

It’s easy to visit web sites and use apps in ways that jeopardize your privacy and security. By default, most web sites and social media accounts scatter your digital data in ways that you may not even realize and that will certainly come to haunt you later. “They already have all of my information; there’s nothing I can do” is not the answer!

This short class will introduce you to some internet fundamentals and will teach you how to turn off those trackers. You’ll learn how to discover what web site owners already know about you and how you can purge the data that they have collected.

Discover renewed vitality and happiness in this interactive 7-week circle. Through storytelling, gentle movement, reflective activities, and group dialogue, we will explore ABCD Living—Active, Balanced, Connected, Disburdened—a research-backed framework grounded in longevity science, positive psychology, and neuroscience. Craft a personalized wellness plan, practicing the ABCD lifestyle, track progress using the Lifewell Score, and build community connections with like-minded peers seeking purpose, practical tools, and sustainable habits that truly matter

This class is designed for anyone who wants to improve the flow of energy throughout their body and work on balance. My Tai Chi process will enhance your overall system harmony and incorporates many different styles. Students may find that, over time, they exude a glow or energetic illumination!.

Struggling with your passwords? Modern computing devices offer builtin, free, secure, and private password management tools that eliminate the hassle of manually managing them.

Using those tools protects your data from malware attacks and prevents you from accidentally providing your passwords to fraudulent websites. This class will walk you through getting your passwords in order, including making them impossibleto- guess and making them meaningfully unique on every account you have. We’ll also spend time on passkeys—what they are, how they differ from passwords, and how to create and use them (and if you should) when they’re offered by an online account provider.

Yoga is for Every Body! Chair Yoga provides the full advantage of yoga’s amazing health benefits including relaxation and a feeling of well-being with adaptations for all levels of flexibility. This class uses yoga exercises, breath, energy work, affirmation and visualization as relaxation and mindfulness techniques. Students report better balance and stress management skills, along with increased strength and flexibility as a result of Chair Yoga! This Energy Medicine Yoga model is based on Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga (LVCY) and the Eden Energy Medicine model of Donna Eden.