University Open Air: Autumn Tang Poetry
The golden season—Autumn—is coming. In this class, we’ll appreciate the poetic beauty of ancient Chinese culture together.
University Open Air: Preliminary Training I: Training Our Gross Body
It’s never too late to correct or make improvements to your posture, especially if it’s contributing to one or more health problems. Good posture is important to your overall health: it offers a variety of benefits including reduced back pain, increased energy, and greater confidence. Good…
University Open Air: Tea & Health Benefits
We all know that tea has many health benefits for our mind and body. In this class, we will discuss specific teas that can improve our health and enhance the function of our immune system.
University Open Air: Physical Yoga I. Nejang: Tibetan Self-healing Yogas 1-8
Nejang yogas were introduced by Buton Rinchendrup (1290-1364) and are comprised of 24 simple and profound yogas that can be practiced by people of all ages. You can practice Nejang yogas in sequence as part of daily yoga practice for your overall wellbeing, or you can focus on specific yogas to…
University Open Air: Who's Afraid of Abstract?
*This is a two-part class--participants are welcome to attend either or both.
In this talk + practical session we’ll look into abstract painting through poems, texts and intuition. We’ll talk about why abstract painting is scary (for many reasons), the institution's role in making…
University Open Air: Art & Our Environment
From prehistoric cave paintings to the evolving field of Eco-Art, Earth's surroundings have been the source material as well as the subject matter inspiring many artists. In this lecture we will explore the historical context of environmental consciousness in contemporary art, and the various…
University Open Air: Eco Printing in the Park
From prehistoric cave paintings to the evolving field of Eco-Art, Earth's surroundings have been the source material as well as the subject matter inspiring many artists. In this lecture we will explore the historical context of environmental consciousness in contemporary art, and the various…
University Open Air: Halal and Haram in the US
This class will introduce halal and haram, and their importance to the Muslim community living in the U.S. After defining “halal,” the class will consider various concerns of finding halal goods, including which goods are difficult to find; apps Muslims can use to identify what is or not halal…
University Open Air: Fruits & Characters
We love fruits not only because they are delicious but also because they are good for our health. Do you know they also have different characters in Chinese culture? Autumn is a harvest season for fruit, and in this class, we’ll explore the world of fruits together.
University Open Air: Preliminary Training II: Training Our Subtle Bodies
In this session, Dr. Chok will explain how important it is to know your three principal channels(tsas/nadis), five main wheels (khorlos/chakras), and essential male and female hormones (bindus/thigles),and how their functions influence our gross body and mind. He will further instruct how to…
University Open Air: Technical Drawing Exercises for Beginners
In this course, students will gain hands-on experience in technical drawing through learning the art of manual drawing and drafting techniques.
Drawing instruments (including paper and clipboards) will be provided.
University Open Air: Fengshui Case - Cheong Wa Dae, South Korea
Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential palace of South Korea, what we want to talk about is Feng Shui. This class focusses on this particular place, and incidents related to the terms of political officials.
University Open Air: Systemic Approach to Brand Design
We'll discuss in depth the importance of branding yourself and marketing yourself as a brand. After detailing what a systemic approach is and how it should be used to develop a strong identity for a brand, students will participate in a self-branding exercise. Class includes 30…
University Open Air: Physical Yoga II. Nejang: Tibetan Self-healing Yogas 9-16
Nejang yogas were introduced by Buton Rinchendrup (1290-1364) and are comprised of 24 simple and profound yogas that can be practiced by people of all ages. You can practice Nejang yogas in sequence as part of daily yoga practice for your overall wellbeing, or you can focus on specific yogas to…
University Open Air: Beauty and Ugliness in French and Francophone literature and the Arts
French society’s obsession with taste shows up in many areas. In this course, we will examine some laudatory and critical devices used in some emblematic works to present the concept of beauty and ugliness, starting from XVII century literature and visual arts to arrive in modern times.…
University Open Air: Sound Map of Salsa Music in New York. In English
In this lecture, you will explore the origins of salsa music in the South Bronx through its sound and its connection to the territory. You will discover the people who created the new genre from the traditional Latin music brought to NYC by the Caribbean immigrants who settled in the Bronx from…
University Open Air: What are the 12 Chinese Zodiacs & the Meaning of Their Signs
In Chinese culture, everyone has their own zodiac. Do you know what your zodiac sign is? In this class you’ll learn the meaning and special personality of each sign. It's fun and another way to explore yourself!
Preliminary Training III: Training Our Gross Prana
In this session, Dr. Chok will explain what breath or gross prana is, how it influences our gross body and mind, and how to purify the impure pranas through the methods known as “the Nine-rounds of Breathing for Purification and used by all great Tibetan adepts/practitioners.” He will also…
University Open Air: Cultural Awareness in a Multicultural World
With more than three million foreign-born residents, New York City is considered the most culturally diverse city in the United States. The range of nationalities and cultures in the city presents a unique opportunity to learn, experience, and build community with each other. Join this…
University Open Air: Eight Major Cuisines in China
We love delicious food. This class will cover the eight major cuisines in China, each cuisine with its own typical food representatives. From south to north, from west to east, you are sure to find your favorite foods!
University Open Air: Physical Yoga III. Nejang: Tibetan Self-healing Yogas 17 - 24
Nejang yogas were introduced by Buton Rinchendrup (1290-1364) and are comprised of 24 simple and profound yogas that can be practiced by people of all ages. You can practice Nejang yogas in sequence as part of daily yoga practice for your overall wellbeing, or you can focus on specific yogas to…
University Open Air: America’s immigrants and the power of storytelling
The country of immigrants at times seems hostile to the very people who helped build America to what it is today, due in part to media narratives that portray immigrants as invaders and economic burdens. Participants in this workshop will work on stories that remove the political agenda and…
University Open Air: Cybersecurity: Identifying and Preventing Cyber Attacks
If you ever came across a spammed website or email, would you recognize it? What common features exist in cybercrimes? What techniques do attackers use? This lesson discusses the techniques used introduces some techniques to identify and prevent cybercrimes. This lesson is full of…
University Open Air: An Introduction to Indigenous Tibetan Healing Tradition, Sowa Rigpa
In this class, participants will learn about the indigenous Tibetan holistic healing tradition Sowa Rigpa—”sowa” is healing and “rigpa” is “science”—that emerged in the 7th century alongside the flourishing of Buddhism and interactions along the Silk Road.
Rooted in Buddhist principles…
University Open Air: Protecting your Privacy Online
Privacy includes personal and sensitive user information that directly identifies an individual (e.g., name, address, social security number or other identifying number or code, telephone number, marital status, email address, etc. How do organizations manage these information? This lesson will…
Preliminary Training IV: Training Our Subtle Prana
In this session, Dr. Chok will explain the five principal and five subsidiary pranas and their functions. He will reveal some methods of vajrajapa (recitation of the three-syllable mantra), visualizations and breathing, which can be used to heal physical and mental disorders of oneself and…
University Open Air: The Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in daily human activities has increased exponentially in the last 5 years. Beginning 2023, we see the enhancement of AI solutions including generating textual contents, videos, PPTs, music, and editing pictures. This lesson introduces the latest AI…
University Open Air: Physical Yoga IV. Actual Practice: Five Yantrayoga Movements
Dr. Chok will teach these advanced yantrayoga movements to open your five chakras and energize your five principal pranas/energies. For optimum benefit, your bumpachen (retention) should be at least 30-50 seconds.
*Participants should bring a yoga mat or blanket—something to sit/lie down…
University Open Air: Adinkra – Traditional Communicating Symbols by the Akas in Ghana
Have you been told or seen any traditional communicating symbols from your culture? Is it used solely by your culture or shared in other places? This lesson introduces the Adinkra symbols of the Ashanti’s in Ghana, West Africa. I will take you through 15 Adinkra symbols, the rationale behind…
University Open Air: Art & Our Environment
From prehistoric cave paintings to the evolving field of Eco-Art, Earth's surroundings have been the source material as well as the subject matter inspiring many artists. In this lecture we will explore the historical context of environmental consciousness in contemporary art, and the various…
University Open Air: Who's Afraid of Abstract?
*This is a two-part class--participants are welcome to attend either or both.
In this talk + practical session we’ll look into abstract painting through poems, texts and intuition. We’ll talk about why abstract painting is scary (for many reasons), the institution's role in making…
University Open Air: Six roles to innovate wherever you are: communicator, philosopher, activator, designer, connector and digital
There is a source code that can explain why some organizations innovate and others do not. Governments, Universities, Libraries, Foundations or NGOs... are all entities composed of ideas, people, relationships and objectives. They are ecosystems and in all ecosystems that innovate, six universal…
University Open Air: Making Music from our Surroundings
How can we make music drawing inspiration from our daily lives? Can we translate into sound what we observe in, for instance, a tarot card or a painting? What lies behind notes and rhythm? In the past few decades, musicians have been exploring alternative ways to compose and perform…
University Open Air: Eco Printing in the Park
In this workshop we will learn how to extract natural dyes from plant material, and experiment with eco printing on paper. Come in work clothes that can get dirty!
University Open Air: Mid Autumn Festival Traditions and Customs
We will usher in the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for celebration, a time to come together and express gratitude. This class addresses questions like: Why is this festival so important to Chinese people? What traditions and customs do we have? What should we do during this special time? Also,…
University Open Air: Improving Relationships with Yourself and Others Using Human Design
This masterclass introduces the transformative concept of Human Design to enhance relationships. Participants learn about the five energy types, communication strategies for each type, and applying Human Design insights in various relationships, including personal and professional settings…
University Open Air: A City of Immigrants: Changing the narrative
New York City is one of America’s most culturally diverse cities, but migrant narratives don’t always portray the immeasurable contribution of its more than three million foreign-born residents. Participants in this interactive discussion will explore how to change the narrative and highlight…
Preliminary Training V: Training in Bumpachen Prana
In this session, Dr. Chok will explain why bumpachen (kumbhaka) is the foundation for all Tibetan yantrayogas. He will explain the benefits of kumbhaka and teach some methods of prolonging the retention of prana. If you have the full understanding and experience of kumbhaka pranayama, you can…
University Open Air: Technical Drawing Exercises for Beginners
In this course, students will gain hands-on experience in technical drawing through learning the art of manual drawing and drafting techniques.
Drawing instruments (including paper and clipboards) will be provided.
University Open Air: Chinese Tea Ceremony
Chinese Tea Ceremony has rich history and different forms. Depending on the regions, we have various types of ceremonies. In today's ceremony, I will perform one of the authentic ways, to show you the beauty of it. Let's enjoy the ceremony; watch the tea leaves blooming; smell and taste good…
University Open Air: Using Eco-Friendly Products in 2023 and beyond
Individuals, households, and organizations use various products to satisfy essential needs. As concern for climate change and environmental problems heightens, there is the need to share information and create awareness of salient changes that will contribute towards system change and improve…
University Open Air: Wearable Literature Workshop: Writing on Wigs and Tiny Book Necklaces
Text is the essence of the textile. The fabric of our very being; Our new skin. Humans express or disguise their identity, and their feelings, through what they wear. This is a workshop that blends fashion materials and literature: experiments of crafting tiny book necklaces and subcultural wig…
University Open Air: Contemporary Taiwanese Poetry
In this class, students will read original and translated poems by contemporary Taiwanese authors. Pairing individual poems with American poets, students will use thematic concepts as a guide to generate new work; elements include intimacy, magic, suppression, sarcasm, lost in translation, and…
University Open Air: Physical Yoga V. Actual Practice: Methods for Preventing Stroke/Epilepsy
In this session, Dr. Chok will explain why stroke is common, what the causes are, and how to prevent stroke. He will teach six specific yogas/exercises along with some breathing exercises.
*Participants should bring a yoga mat or blanket—something to sit/lie down on.
University Open Air: The Poetics of the Atlantic: Water in Some French and Francophone Literature and Films
In Fatou Diome’s The Belly of the Atlantic, we will examine how the artist's craft poetics of the Atlantic to explore themes such as immigration, destruction, and self-discovery. We might draw parallels with literary and visual works featuring water/bodies of water, such as That…
University Open Air: Living and Learning in a Multi-Cultural Society: A Look at the Ghanaian Culture from a personal experience.
Complex, multicultural societies have a blend of diverse people and unique cultures that bring individual learning experiences, different perspectives, innovation, and creativity. This course shares various aspects of Ghanaian culture, including festivals, traditional authorities, and the…
University Open Air: Can Machines Think?
News about Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken over all the tech headlines lately, raising more questions than answers. Join us for an engaging introductory class on Artificial Intelligence (AI) hosted by Women in AI Ethics where you’ll learn about the history of AI and the humans behind this…
University Open Air: Empowering Subconscious
This class explores the subconscious mind's role in personal growth and empowerment. It covers subconscious vs. conscious processes, overcoming limiting beliefs and traumas, reprogramming through techniques like affirmations, and addresses skepticism with scientific evidence. Participants…
University Open Air: Fiction Workshop, Renaming
I wonder if she ever wanted
them to speak back, looked into
their wide wonderful eyes and
whispered, Name me, name me.
-Ada Limón
How do you name an item? What do you need to name a feeling? In this generative session, we’ll reimagine the…
Preliminary Training VI: Training Our Mind: Who am I?
In this session, Dr. Chok will explain what “mind” is and “mind training” is and why this training is the key training for joy and happiness. He will teach some shamatha (calm-abiding) mind-training practices and two vipassana (insightful seeing) mind-training practices. Students will be able to…
University Open Air: Is Beauty Relevant? A Question for Artists
Beauty is a concept that is assumed to be universally intelligible, but it is seldom defined in our everyday lives. We also live in a world in which we are bombarded with images that bind the beautiful to the realm of advertising. Under capitalism, beauty is manufactured and used to sell us on…
University Open Air: Open-Genre Writing Workshop, Becoming Humanimal
Humanimal: Between human beings and animals.
In this class, students will read works examining the ways animals, trees, mushrooms, the living beings around us make a home (art), gather food (sustenance) and experiment with ways of being, and play. The class will begin with a close…
University Open Air: Physical Yoga VI. Actual Practice: Ancient Tibetan Chöd Healing
Dr. Chok will end the UOA series with a special healing method called Chöd. Chöd healing involves chanted prayers, mantras, drums, and bells, all of which will be facilitated by Dr. Chok as participants lie down, as they would in a guided meditation. Chöd is commonly performed to heal physical…
University Open Air: Introduction to Macro Photography and Cinematography
In this workshop, you will learn macro photography and cinematography concepts/techniques used in nature, product, portrait photography, and filmmaking. Participants will be introduced to the history of macro photography, probe lenses and are welcomed to bring an item of interest they'd like to…
University Open Air: What are you dreaming about?
Dreams impress multitudes of images upon us to create new forms, parabolic narratives and metaphorical motifs. The symbolic language of dreams can be interpreted by way of mythology, and envisioning the brain as the repository of life as we experience it, then dreams are the myth-makers of that…
University Open Air Closing Celebration
You're all invited to share anything you made or discussed during this session of University Open Air. We'll have some snacks and UOA pencils, notebooks and a few tote bags. Please feel free to bring friends and family.
