Social distancing doesn’t need to mean cutting your ties to the outside world. Below you’ll find a list of awesome people and organizations that are offering free online mind-body health and fitness group classes, virtual tours and exhibits, and entertainment to the public—member, non-member, doesn’t matter. Everyone is welcome.
Mind-body health
Props to Yogasource Palo Alto, the first yoga studio I’m aware of that opened its virtual doors to the public with a range of free Zoom classes. Pretty much since the beginning of the shelter-in-place order in the Bay Area. You can take classes from restorative and power yoga to core and strength, and barre classes for free or for a donation.
Just Breathe Yoga @ Rivermark is bringing a comprehensive online schedule to the public too for free. From specialty classes, such as prenatal yoga and meditation to popular vinyasa and gentle yoga sessions, this studio caters to a broad group of yogis with many different needs. Kudos to them!
Mindful Movement Yoga and Life Coaching is hosting daily Zoom classes from restorative yoga and myofascial therapy to vinyasa and kundalini flow yoga.
While many studios started charging for their online classes in April, Nandi Yoga continues to offer free community sessions. Get your downward dog on in a jivamukti class, join fellow ashtanga yogis online or enjoy some well-deserved me-time in one of their yin classes.
Red Dot Fitness in San Jose is bringing free webcast classes into our homes. Check their Instagram feed. Stay (or get) in shape with total body conditioning, mobility and burn sessions, to name just a few of their classes. Scott and CeCe are even offering free personalized, group and family consults to help you develop at-home individualized fitness plans, work through physical limitations, and keep your family and kids active. Now, that’s going above and beyond!
If you can’t make it to a live group class, consider taking classes for free on Grokker. Not into yoga? Take a look at Digital Coach’s daily challenges or sign up for Elevation Corporate Health’s on-demand group fitness classes. But working out is not just for adults! Check out the Beach Body Kids Workouts on Vimeo.
Virtual tours and exhibits
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is live streaming their jellyfish exhibit daily between 7AM and 6PM PT. The mesmerizing Jelly Cam with the soothing background music will feel like a hug for your soul. This is my fav! 😊
The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is letting its tiny residents roam around and you won’t believe their reactions to their fellow animals! See the aquarium through the eyes of penguins, porcupines and other cute-as-hell creatures. Keep checking their site and Instagram feed to see who else gets a field trip besides Wellington and Tyson. Wellington, take me away!
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is offering virtual classes on Facebook Live each weekday. New animals and adventures will keep you and your kiddos under their spell. Before your next class, meet Fiona, the hippo.
The San Diego Zoo has live cams of your favorite animals so you never feel too far away from them. From popular favorites like giraffes, koalas and elephants to less-known species such as baboons, condors and polar bears, these cuties are guaranteed to entertain as much as educate.
Courtesy of museums around the world, you can now travel the world virtually from LA to Seoul. Stop on your way in South America or Europe to take in all the art and exhibits you have your heart set on. I think today I’m going to check out the Egyptian mummies in the British Museum.
Learning
For sure, the virtual tours and exhibits are a great way to learn about animals, but how about other things?
BBC Teach brings Live Lessons to your home. Kids can pick interactive lessons from a variety of topics. Interested in film making? Get behind the scenes with the Wizarding World. Want to know more about how life travels and our solar system? Explore it all with Doctor Who.
Scholastic has created 20+ days of learning and activities for kids from preK to 9th grade. It even has a section for families and teachers on their website. Or you can check out the free curriculum from All-in-One Home School for your preK-er or 12th grader.
Outschool has a ton of online classes for kids. Creative writing, art, ASL, making animated movies are just the beginning of a long list of courses your kids can take—and maybe you can take them with them 😊. This site is not quite free, but classes start at a modest $5 per class.
Audible is sharing free stories for the littlest ones as well as for big kids in multiple languages, cultures and genres. As a big kid, I’m considering checking out their multi-cultural fairy tales section.
Entertainment
Do512.com hails from Austin but since they’ve gone virtual, I figure anyone can check it out. They keep a list of activities to do in the Austin area—many of which are online now. Check them out. You might just be one click away from the night-in of your life.
DJ Mel and #DoStuffatHome bring you “The living room dance party” on Saturday nights. Get your wine out (I know you stocked up!) and get down to some crazy beats. The party starts at 6.
Many thanks to our neighbors up north, you can even enjoy some wild virtual roller coaster rides from the comfort of your home. Canada’s Wonderland has posted playlists on their YouTube channel to give you mind-blowing virtual experiences—without the long lines! Having been on these rides, I can tell you they’re a must!
Try these free online group exercise classes, virtual exhibits, entertainment and other resources open to anyone during #SocialDistancing #StayAtHome Share on X
Image by Mikhail Nilov, Pexels
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