Classes in Long Island City

Heart and Soul of Yoga’s teachers believe that the most effective yoga practices are tailored to the individual, a goal they seek to achieve by limiting every class to a maximum of six students. Each instructor has put in 500 hours to become certified in ISHTA, a school of yoga that combines physical, energetic, and healing yoga practices to meet a wide range of specific needs. Instructors recommend modified poses for those with injuries and lead prenatal classes that gently guide women through the physical stresses of motherhood. Heart and Soul of Yoga also recognizes yoga's ability to affect the mind and offers workshops that help students reconnect with their chakras or figure out whether they can actually read other people's thoughts.

Drawing from more than two decades of combined experience, photographers Robert Meyer and Vera Miljkovic instruct aspiring photographers during hands-on workshops. While their workshops are open to everyone, they do tackle topics that go beyond the realm of recreational photography to explore more advanced concepts. For instance, the introductory lighting workshop covers topics such as lighting ratios and also gives students a chance to use professional equipment including studio strobes. Studios LIC workshops vary in length and include both conceptual components as well as hands-on exercises, such as practice photo shoots or rock-paper-scissors games with rival paparazzo.

ALOHA (Abacus Learning of Higher Arithmetic) is a mathematics tutoring program that was originally developed for Malaysian children. Small group classes meet after school for step-by-step instruction from a qualified teacher or sentient abacus. The program has more than 3,000 centers in countries such as India, Thailand, Philippines, China, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, and UAE, and it was introduced to the United States in 2006. It also offers tutoring in reading and writing.

Empire Bartending Academy places students behind the counter of an actual bar as professional bartenders instruct them on the basic tenets of mixology, workspace setup, and beer and wine knowledge. In a small class of 10–20 participants, students first familiarize themselves with their workstation, engineering the most efficient environment possible for accessing equipment, cutting fruit, and mixing drinks. A potent combination of rotating bartenders, drilling recipes, role-playing orders, and mnemonically memorizing ingredients crams brains with 75 different beloved and frequently ordered cocktail recipes. A crash course in beer, wine, and spirits teaches students the ins and outs of spirituous pours. Finally, fledgling mixologists hone their manners and absorb tips on how to successfully land a bartending gig, such as guest-tending part-time at various establishments or hanging around a meat packing plant until it's converted into a hip club. Attendees who feel the need for further guidance in achieving behind-bar mastery may opt to retake the class free of charge.

For sensei Julio Rivera, fighting and fitness have always gone hand in hand. After winning a national bodybuilding title at 19, Rivera started to explore martial arts under the guidance of world champion Jack Krystek, eventually earning his black belts in both judo and jiu jitsu. He continues to share that passion for focused fitness at Omni Martial Arts, where he helps his students build muscle and mental focus while maintaining high moral standards. Judo teams master throws, leverage, and body positioning, while MMA classes integrate ground grappling with striking skills to build well-rounded fighters. And whether participants are adults or children, sensei Julio and his fellow instructors ensure they all leave the mat with the poise and strength of a genteel puma.

The scream of skidding tires and the screech of a horn precede the copper taste of adrenaline in your mouth as pigeons and sparrows lift from the sidewalks. Did the sound scare them, or the sight of an onrushing auto? Domenico Pinto doubtless pondered this same question when he established the Ferrari Driving School in 1968. Originally founded to help dyed-in-the-wool and immigrant New Yorkers drive more safely, the school has now expanded to usher more than 6,000 students a year through motorcycle-, truck-, and commercial-driving instruction. No matter the vehicle, Pinto and his family specialize in helping drivers obtain personal licenses and commercial certifications, and learn defensive techniques that help them avoid fender benders or accidentally starting a demolition derby.