As we age, our muscles may become less responsive to insulin, making it harder for the body to clear glucose from the blood after meals. This class will explain how even a short period of movement after eating helps muscles absorb glucose through a separate pathway. We will also discuss safe, realistic ways to add post-meal movement based on different mobility levels and health needs.

Clara is a biomedical engineering student at Johns Hopkins University with a strong interest in health and wellness. Having lived in four different countries, she enjoys learning about diverse cultures and lifestyles.

Clara is passionate about helping others build healthy habits and enjoys activities such as pilates, exercise, cooking, and crafts in her free time. She is excited to share practical and accessible strategies to support healthy aging backed by science.

Join Anna for a friendly and uplifting conversation where we will explore good news from across the globe. Together, we'll discover heartwarming acts of kindness, exciting scientific breakthroughs, community successes, environmental achievements, and other positive developments that don't make the mainstream headlines often enough. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn something new, share your thoughts, and connect with others. Everyone is welcome; join us for some good company and a dose of good news!

Anna is a proud New Yorker with more than 20 years of experience and a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Yeshiva University's Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She enjoys discovering stories that connect us across cultures and generations. Passionate about lifelong learning and meaningful conversation, she looks forward to sharing positive news from around the world and creating a welcoming space for connection, curiosity, and discussion.

Join Jenny to explore dreams in their various forms, dreams during sleep, day-dreams and dreams as aspirations, for what they may mean to us.

Jenny Pigassiou is a NYC-based performance and video artist and entrepreneur. Life-long learner and creator, including personal development workshops, painting, light sculpture, and improvisational theater, among others.

Join Natalie for this seated class. You will move your feet to the beat & dance out patterns, rhythms, & movements that will make your whole body come alive!

The music will inspire you & bring back memories from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s. Working in a chair is more balanced & stable in a non-weighted position to let your arms & legs dance & flow freely. You’ll dance in your socks so we can move the different parts of the foot to be aware of your full body potential.

Natalie has over 30 years of experience teaching dance and fitness as an adjunct professor, dance teacher, and instructor for all ages. After earning her doctorate and Dance for PD® certification, she developed adaptive classes for individuals with physical limitations, including chair-based movement. She works with people with Parkinson’s, MS, dementia, and autism. Natalie directs the Rutgers Dance for Parkinson’s program and teaches inclusive dance and neuroscience courses.

Join Charles for a lot of musical potpourri and a little of “other”! The musical content will include some basic teaching of how to play a piano, singing as a group, viewing music videos to include songs and teaching about music. Then, if time, Charles takes class requests and will devote some time to discussing or finding interesting things on the internet. Enjoy the Entertainment hour!

Charles has always been a music lover and his earliest memories of loving music are hearing his beloved Mom humming, singing and listening to a transistor radio, challenging as it was to tune in to a radio station. Today he wants to bring joy to you by helping you to build a simple toolbox for playing the piano (a super user friendly and approachable instrument), that will enable them to play a lot of song as well as just enjoy the pleasures of singing and listening to Music!

Join Lisa to learn about yourself by tuning in to your ‘soma,’ which is defined as your body when experienced from within. Somatic yoga is a yoga practice that uses a mindful approach to movement called “somatics.” It prioritizes thoughts, feelings, and body awareness over form. The process is what matters, not athletic proficiency.

Lisa has been teaching mindful practices in NYC for about 20 years & was certified in 2021. This same year, she completed her certification in Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy with Sundara Yoga.

More recently, she completed a certification with the HeartMath Institute in Trauma-Sensitive Healthcare & several certifications in Interpersonal Neurobiology w/ Dr. Dan Siegel. This prepared Lisa to develop class curricula for oncology, general medical & psychiatric patients in her connection to Weill Cornell Center for Health & Wellbeing. Lisa lives w/her husband, Seán, & they care for their dog, Finn MacCool. She enjoys nature & enjoys concocting in the kitchen!

Every person has a fantastic life story that needs to be told. In this series of classes, we look at our memories and explore questions, both big and small. Our lives are so different, and we celebrate how different we each are. Our classes usually have a shorter, more straightforward question and a more involved question afterward. All of us share our stories. There are lots of smiles and laughter.

Ross lives in Sydney, Australia, and enjoys hearing how our lives differ. He has been working with Seniors for some time now. Ross continues working part-time in a nursing home, trying to help people live happier, better lives, and very much looks forward to the VSC weekly sessions.

What are your burning questions or topics you’d like answered about art in class? Want more information on a particular technique or artist's style? Want me to show you a drawing technique you’re interested in? Want to share your work with the group? Let me know in our upcoming class on 7.25 @3pm.

What you’ll learn: - Just hearing about what others would like to learn is a great way to learn about art. - Learn what your friends do when they are creative. - Find out how you can explore art at home. - Resources to help you get started. Some topics that will be covered: watercolor vs other painting methods, different ways to collage, how do you see style? Clay techniques: hand-building vs wheel.

Tyler works in marketing by day; however, she loves working with paper and other media to create practical crafts in her spare time. She enjoys researching and finding simple projects for all to share and express their own creativity.

Discover the art of chess with Benjamin as your guide! Each class begins with a brief introduction, and you'll learn the moves for the pieces. Not only is chess a delightful pastime, but it also nurtures memory and logic and fosters social connections. So, get ready for some fun!

Benjamin is passionate about chess and often competes in tournaments. Also, Benjamin is the driving force behind 'Chess in the Homes,' an intergenerational chess program. He is part of the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter and is in a Pre-Medical program.

Join Ken for a wide range of music from the standards of the American Songbook, through folk, country, and R&B of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

Ken brings his easy-going, accessible style to each performance, loves to take requests, and encourages audience participation, making no two performances the same. His peers at Musician’s On Call call him the "Human Jukebox”… please join a class and stump him!

Join Leah to learn how to create, edit, and share online documents using Google's ever-evolving word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and calendar programs. Join Leah of the NY Public Library to learn about the internet, email, and many other technology applications for your life!

Leah Stern is an educator and aspiring librarian. She loves teaching technology and believes that it can be a tool for creativity and information accessibility! Beyond the classroom, Leah loves to read, craft, and spend time in nature.

Backstage Brilliance, Overnight Stardom, and the Rhythm of Tap: Step into the dazzling, high-energy world of Broadway's ultimate backstage musical. When the temperamental leading lady of a massive new show breaks her ankle right before opening night, a humble chorus girl from Ohio is thrown into the spotlight and given the chance of a lifetime to become a star. Packed with breathtaking choreography and a legendary 1930s score featuring toe-tapping hits like "Lullaby of Broadway," "We're in the Money," and the titular "42nd Street," it is a joyful, spectacular celebration of showbiz magic and the timeless dream of making it big.

Paul performed everything from jazz & classical to video game music and Broadway-style cabarets. He enjoys exploring Connecticut, going to concerts, & sharing his love of music. His classes are interactive, upbeat, & designed to bring music & great stories to life!

Caryn Elaine Johnson, known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg, is an award-winning actress, comedian, author, producer, and television personality. Her career spans stage, television, and film, including dramatic roles and controversial comedy. She's known for her roles in The Color Purple (1985) and Ghost (1990), and co-hosted the talk show The View.

Maegan moved to NYC in 2011 for the Publishing and Digital Media program at NYU. She was excited to discover an online community center for older adults — something she had longed to see in her home city of Montreal while working for HelpAge Canada.

She has been leading VSC classes ever since and cherishes the bond she shares with the participants over women leaders throughout history and their influence on our lives today. She loves to spend time in nature and has two small dogs, Cindy and Tucker (who sometimes pop in on classes!)

Alan leads classes combining history with literature and has thought-provoking conversations about both! Alan was a lawyer and an investment banker. In 2010 he obtained a Masters degree in Literature/History. He then also became an Author.

Join Norman for a look at some new "Project Unlonely Films." We'll take a look at 3-4 short films featuring various perspectives on loneliness and connection.

Norman Reiss has long been an advocate for older adults, starting when he helped older relatives navigate residence changes and address health issues. Since 2019, Norman has helped clients at DOROT, GetSetUp, and Greenwich House, creating and promoting programs, both in person and online. He is also a veteran Virtual Senior Center facilitator, having led classes since 2012.

Join Allen for this class on technology, which will include topics like: Understanding technophobia, Tech Peer Groups, Essential Tech Skills for seniors, Smartphone basics, Video calling and conferencing, WhatsApp Calls and Groups, Browsing safety, Search Engines.

Join Allen for topics that help you embrace technology! Learning about how tech can help you will help you enjoy using various programs and apps!

Allen is a former high school math teacher who enjoys leading virtual classes on a variety of topics.

Rob Lutes is an acclaimed songwriter and performer, a multiple Maple Blues Award and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, and recipient of the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Singer of the Year. He has released eight albums, including 2021's Come Around, which hit #5 on Folk Radio in the US in August 2021. https://roblutes.com/

The Toward Self Acceptance and Growth group provides a safe space to discuss topics covering a wide range of subjects, which provide participants with new ways of thinking that may assist in better addressing life challenges.

Deirdre is an MSW, LCWS social worker with over 25 years of experience facilitating groups, which is her passion. It is Dierdre's 2nd career, having received her PhD in French. She taught mostly college-level French classes for about 13 years.

She also taught meditation and is a firm believer in the ability to change, grow, and constantly find additional ways to improve her life. That outlook is what she's happy to share in the group discussions.

Play some wonderful games w/Jackie & Cassie to keep your mind sharp and laugh a lot! While they do other things in "real" life like Actors/Podcaster & Entrepreneurs, they love playing games with you! The sisters created the "Bundle" board game.

Jacklyn has an MA in Acting & has performed & taught acting around the country. TV appearances include HBO's The Deuce & getting murdered in numerous Investigation Discovery shows. She is the co-host of the "The Bubbly Sesh" podcast.

Cassie served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a small dairy town in Nicaragua, where she taught entrepreneurship courses to small business owners, & brushed up on her board game-playing skills with kids in her community. She has an MA from Harvard University.

Deborah Brandt, Doctor of Physical Therapy and retired dancer, developed it for the movement education and well-being of seniors. During each class, participants will lubricate joints and muscles through their full range of motion, stimulate balance, and practice mindful movement.

Whatever your strength or ability, enjoy this opportunity to explore the elements of functional movement while you energize and surprise your mind and body in a fun, creative environment!

Join Lucy to explore how simple food choices can help support strength, energy, hydration, brain health, and independence as we age. Through fun games, group discussions, and practical nutrition tips, participants will learn simple strategies to make healthy eating enjoyable and achievable.

As a nutritionist with a passion for good food, fitness, and giving back, Lucy is always on the go. She loves diving into the rich flavors of Afro-Asian cuisines in the kitchen and staying active on the basketball court. When she's not busy with work or play, you'll find her out in the community, lending a hand through volunteering. With a bachelor's in community nutrition and a master's in science in logistics, she thrives on critical thinking and problem-solving. Let's team up to make a positive impact together

Come enjoy the classics of Broadway with Maddie. Each week, you’re taken behind the curtain of a larger-than-life Broadway performance. Get insider excerpts from cast members, watch original Broadway recordings, and reminisce on the golden age of the performing arts.

Maddie Gwinner is an Honors Student at the University of Arkansas pursuing a B.A. in International & Global Studies & B.A. in Political Science. Last year, she served as the 2024-25 President of Arkansas Mock Trial and was selected to attend the American Mock Trial Association’s 38th National Championship. She is also a representative on the University of Arkansas Student Conduct Board, a research assistant at the Fulbright Terrorism Research Center, and a co-founder of BridgeArkansas.

In her free time, Maddie enjoys hiking, baking, and trying new coffee shops with her friends. She has been performing in musicals for as long as she’s been able to walk, and she’s excited to share her passion for classic Broadway shows!

Join Alice to discuss the impact of current events and cultural trends on our daily lives. Discussions of current topics ranging from what's going on in schools, to the internet and our privacy, to fashion, to scientific breakthroughs in Israel, to how what's going on in China affects us. News items are interspersed with travelogues from trips taken around the world.

Formerly a corporate attorney building and financing major pipelines, storage terminals, and power plants, and negotiating derivatives documentation, Alice now takes history classes through Northwestern University and Florence Melton, practices tai chi, plays mahjong, and indulges in an addictive travel habit. She has visited and photographed places on all seven continents (yes, including Antarctica). Alice also avidly follows the Chicago sports teams and thoroughbred horse racing.

Join Dave as he plays and sings popular tunes from a variety of genres, including Blues, Bossa, Country, Folk, Motown, 60s-90s Pop, Reggae, Rock, and American Songbook. He may even throw in some surprise holiday favorites! He loves requests, and if he doesn't know it (or can't fake it), he'll learn it.

Dave has been playing and singing for over 30 years with various groups in the Chicago area. He volunteers with Musicians On Call, performing for patients at pediatric and adult hospitals, and with the Village to Village / Share Network, performing for dementia patients and caregivers.

This is an excellent class for students with mobility issues. All welcome – We will focus on physical movement, flexibility, balance, and breath work. This gentle form of yoga is practiced in a chair. Some standing poses will be practiced.

Cristina is a SoCal native seeking to expand her yoga practice among several specialized groups, including senior communities.

Alan leads classes combining history with literature and has thought-provoking conversations about both! Alan was a lawyer and an investment banker. In 2010 he obtained a Masters degree in Literature/History. He then also became an Author.

Meet your personal note-taking assistant that listens, transcribes, and organizes your conversations—automatically! Let's explore how to record, review, & share your notes easily, no typing needed! Discover how this powerful (and simple) tool can save time, reduce stress, and keep you organized.

Join Johanna of Smarter Service for Tech tips, including using your device, surfing the internet, using email, and many more relevant tips to keep up with today's technology trends. Johanna brings over a decade of experience in the tech industry and a true passion for helping older adults navigate technology and build confidence.

Originally from Texas—a place she still fondly calls home—Johanna now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband of over 12 years and their three beautiful children. When she's not spending time with her family, Johanna enjoys baking and decorating cakes!

How do we remember names, faces, and favorite moments? Join Justin for an interactive trivia session exploring how the brain creates memories, why we sometimes forget things, and how certain health conditions can affect memory over time.

Justin is a medical student at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where he studies how technology and health systems can support healthy aging. He is from Brooklyn and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University. When he's not studying for school, he spends his time with his family and reading narrative non-fiction.

Join the live Tours brought to you by Wowzitude! Join Susan and the Tour Guide at a vast array of amazing cities in the US and the World as they guide you to landmarks and iconic sites. The Tour Guide will comment on what is happening as it’s occurring in real time. There's no experience like it!

Join Kionah for Revolutionary Women: Learn how women played vital roles and made lasting impacts on both sides of the Revolution.

Kionah Tucker is an experienced museum professional with a passion for making history education accessible and fun. She currently serves as the Education Coordinator at the New York Historical Society, where she manages the Museum’s internship program for college and graduate students and supports programming related to the Museum’s many initiatives for students and teachers.

Originally from Newport News, Virginia, she relocated to attend St. John’s University in 2011 and has called New York City home since. In addition to her love for history, she is a lover of fashion, travel, animals, game shows, and great food.