YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN

Enrich your life by getting back to school and learning a new skill or two

YOU’VE finished formal schooling, got a job, maybe a family and lead a busy life. You probably feel like your head is full of enough information – so why bother making the time and effort to learn something new?

Because discovering new things about the world or learning a new skill is one of the most rewarding things life has to offer.

Learning enriches your social life and makes you feel more connected to your community, improves your emotional and physical health, slows cognitive ageing and increases your overall life satisfaction and happiness.

Whether it’s immersing yourself in a new language, a new sport, improving your public speaking skills or trying your hand at painting, your local community offers plenty of opportunities to learn.

Ready to get out there?

DANCE

Combining movement with the mental challenge of learning a new routine, dancing is fantastic for your brain function and your body. Local dance classes include: Wild Spice Tribal Bellydance (wildspicetribal.com) in Lismore, Bollywood Sisters (bollywoodsisters.com) in Ballina and Brunswick Heads and Sassy Salsa

(sassysalsa.com.au) in Byron.

POTTERY

Playing with clay is a great way to relax, leave behind your busy mind and get creative. Regular classes are on offer at

Byron School of Clay (bsoc.com.au) in Byron Bay,

Northern Rivers Pottery Supplies

(nrpotterysupplies.com.au) in Lismore or Red Door Studio (brookeclunie.com) at Fernleigh.

ARTS

Northern River Stained Glass in Lismore (nrstainedglass.com) runs beginner workshops or try one of Christine Read’s popular weekly art classes at the art gallery in Lennox Head (www.christinereadart.com). Check the Arts Northern Rivers website for a range of workshops covering everything from weaving to woodcarving, mosaic making and life drawing.

If you’re in Bangalow or nearby, have a look at The IN

Club (theinclub.com.au) – a social club for women that holds regular get-togethers and offers workshops including writing, tai gai chi and singing.

Your local TAFE or community college are also great places to find a workshop or course in an area that interests you. For those who have retired, your local University of the Third Age is a fantastic way to connect with others and continue your learning journey. U3A offers regular classes in areas such as language, science, yoga and genealogy.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

– Gandhi