SUMMER 2026
July 8 to August 29 2026 Summer Hours Wednesday 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
12:00 PM–8:00 PM Saturday 10:30 AM–4:00 PM
Access to free, in-person classes and events at our Center on Avenue D. Wellbeing Lounge Open Hours Wednesday 3:30–5:30 PM Thursday 12:00–1:30 PM & 3:30-5:30 PM Saturday 12:30-1:30 PM
Free Classes For All Classes taught by experienced staff and partner organizations.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, peruse our community library, access free WiFi, borrow a laptop, puzzles, games & enjoy the company of our members!
A Space To Connect
Programming for Lower East Side community members of all generations and genders.
Finding Your Soft
Belly: Mindfulness, Movement & Breath for Everyday Wellbeing
Adults • Open Level
Wednesdays • 12:30–1:30 PM
Instructor: Lacresha Berry
What does it feel like to soften, breathe, and simply be? In this mindfulness & yoga practice, we’ll explore gentle yoga and breathing techniques that can help us feel more present, grounded, and connected to ourselves. Together, we’ll create space to slow down, check in with our bodies, and practice caring for ourselves in small but meaningful ways. All levels & bodies are welcome.
Tai Chi
Adults • Open Level
Wednesdays • 2:00–3:00 PM
Instructor: Roberto Sharpe
Tai Chi is an art of balance and flow which promotes healthy bone-density and blood circulation through low-impact conditioning. This class follows the Yangstyle 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.
Vitality in Motion
Adults • Open Level
Thursdays • 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Instructor: Tara Crichlow (July) & Jaimé Yawa Dzandu (August)
Vitality in Motion invites you to activate & move with your whole body! We will focus on increasing mobility, improving balance and coordination, and strengthening the core - all through the lively art of dance! Class begins with a gentle warm-up from head to toe, progressing across the floor, and moving together as community. We conclude with a cool-down through somatic exercises to promote flexibility and relaxation. Class is accompanied by affirmative, upbeat, and restorative music
No dance or fitness experience is necessary. All movements can be seated or standing. Feel free to bring water and wear comfortale clothes you can move in.
Rope Flow & Mindful Movement
Adults • Open Level
Thursdays • 6:00 –7:30 PM
Instructor: Nicholas Guillem
Find your flow state! Rope Flow is a highawareness activity that unites your mind and body for a meditative movement experience that is uniquely your own. This is NOT a jump rope class. Instead, we will begin by swinging the rope from one side of the body to the other in a Figure 8 pattern. There are infinite patterns and possibilities to explore as you advance and develop your skills. Train your balance, build your confidence, find peace in motion. After class, you should expect to feel lighter and more energized. Over time, you may also find those nagging aches & pains dissolving away. No prior exerience is necessary.
Rest & Restore Yoga
Adults • Open Level
Saturdays • 11:00–12:00 PM
Instructor: Alexandra Royals
Rest & Restore Yoga is a slow, meditative & passive style of yoga. The poses performed in this class are held for 3-5 minutes with the use of props or 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 & flexibility. This is an introductory class open to all levels.
Zumba® for EVERY Body
Adults • Open Level
Saturdays • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Denise Gumora
This Zumba® class is designed to bring people together to sweat it out. The class is a total workout, combining all elements of fitness - cardio, muscle conditioning, balance & flexibility, boosted energy, and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave class. At the same time, we take the “work” out of “workout” by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorieburning dance fitness party! Once the Latin & World rhythms take over, you’ll see why Zumba Fitness classes are often called “exercise in disguise.”
MUSIC for EVERYONE
Adults 12+ • Open Level
Wednesdays • 5:30–7:00 PM
Instructor: Samira Mendoza
Get ready to scratch, break, and get down to an array of dance music. Learn about the histories of some of your favorite genres and how to use the tools to make them! This series encourages music lovers of all levels to jam together. We’ll be exploring DJ, turntable techniques, synths, samplers, drum machines, and more!
The Artist in You
Adults • Open Level
Wednesdays • 5:30—7:00 PM
Instructor: Joalis Silva
In this class, everyone is an artist no matter your experience or skill set. You will explore how to work with mixed media, including paint, crepe paper, stencils, air dry clay, and more. Each week, we will create a different project. Together, we will find your favorite medium and help you discover The Artist in You!
Batik & Beyond: Creating Stories in Fabric
Ages 10+ • Open Level
Thursdays • 3:30—5:00 PM
JULY ONLY
Instructor: Azzah Sultan
Join us as we learn about the beautiful art of Batik (Wax Resistance). In this class, you will learn about the techniques of how to do batik, an dhow to dye fabric using cold wash dye & natural dye.
Meditative & Creative Jewelry
Ages 14+ • Open Level
Saturdays: • 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Instructor: Naomi Garcia
Learn the foundations of jewelry making! You’ll learn how to use pliers, the names of jewelry findings and how to properly use them in a meditative & creative way. You will make and take home a necklace, droplet earrings, hoop earrings & a bracelet.
Scribe Sessions
Adults • Open Level
Saturdays • 12:30–2:00 PM
Instructor: Kristina Stumpf
Join us for a creative exploration of writing, poetry, storytelling, and spoken word performance. Through writing prompts, group reflection, and performance exercises, participants will uncover personal stories, strengthen your voice, and transform lived experience into powerful artistic expression. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just beginning your creative journey, Scribe Sessions offers a supportive space to write, share, connect & be heard.
Collage & Connect: Magazine City
Ages 18+
Bi-Weekly Saturdays: July 18 • Aug 1 • Aug 15• Aug 29
2:30–4:30 PM
Instructor: Alison Stumpf
Magazine City is a four session summer art experience where we’ll explore, create, and connect while building a one of a kind community magazine together. Using collage, postcard making, found imagery, words, photographs, and mixed media materials, participants will create original artworks inspired by memories, neighborhoods, dreams, stories, and the things that make us who we are. Along the way, we’ll explore what makes a magazine come alive through art features, postcards, visual storytelling, advertisements, and creative expression. Each session adds a new page to Magazine City, a collaborative publication filled with the artwork, ideas, and voices of everyone involved. Come make art, share stories, and help build a city on paper.
No experience necessary. All ages welcome.
Nutritious Cultural Kitchen
Ages 18+ • Open Level
Wednesdays: • 3:30–5:00 PM
Instructor: Marta Garcia
We each have different nutritional needs, but one thing that we can all agree on is that we need to listen to our bodies to maintain a vibrant and healthy life. Nutritious Cultural Kitchen will empower you with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about the food you consume - unlocking improved health, energy, and mental wellness. This hands-on culinary experience celebrates the universal language of food, with a special focus on nutrition and making easy, healthy swaps, low cost alternatives, ways to control food cravings, and ideas for quick, easy, and tasty recipes!
Grown-Up & Me Cooking Class
Parents and Children Ages 0-5
Saturday, July 11th • 2:00–3:30 PM
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.
