This is the year: This year, you’re actually going to accomplish your lofty New Year’s resolutions. You just need a little help, like the expert instruction you’ll get in these Chicago classes. Ready to apply for that dream job? Amp up your resume with some in-demand skills like coding or a new language. If you want to burn off those holiday calories, sign up for a spinning class or join one of the best gyms in Chicago. No matter what you want to accomplish in 2018, these hands-on classes will teach you the skills you need to make it happen.
Toss those leftover Christmas cookies: It’s time for a fresh start in the new year. This six-hour cooking class at Kendall College will give you all the knowledge you need to prepare healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and even desserts. The health coach and instructor will cover everything from grocery shopping to meal prepping. $130
Even if your high school foreign language courses have escaped your memory, it’s not hard to pick up a new language. Immersion Chicago offers introductory hourlong French classes every Tuesday evening, so it’s easy to squeeze them into your schedule after work. The instructors promise that you’ll be able to read French newspapers, understand French TV shows and communicate while traveling in French-speaking countries in no time. $35
It’s possible to get a great workout without ever lacing up your tennis shoes. Like most barre classes, this workout at Dovetail Studios is taught in bare feet or socks only. The 50-minute class combines elements of yoga, pilates and a traditional ballet to strengthen your core, improve your balance and tone your booty. It might look graceful, but this workout is no joke. $17
Still nurturing that dream of becoming a celebrated artist? Take the first step toward unleashing your creative potential in a figure sculpting class at the Fine Arts Center of Chicago. You’ll learn to use clay tools to sculpt a classical figure from a live model. Who knows—you might just discover a new passion. $200
Forget about proficiency in Microsoft Office: Being able to at least understand HTML and CSS coding is the in-demand skill these days. Master the basics in this all-day General Assembly workshop. You might not be ready to design your first website by the end of it, but you’ll at least be able to understand what in the world your tech team is talking about. $210
If your favorite hobby is scrolling through Instagram, it might be time to find a new pastime. Knitting not only keeps your mind occupied but also produces scarves, hats, sweaters and more to keep you warm during the bitter Chicago winters. This series of three introductory classes at Sister Arts Studio, Inc. will teach you everything you need to know to create your first simple project. A pair of needles and skein of yarn is included in the cost. Bonus: The repetitive motion of knitting makes it a great stress reliever. $100
Gardening has so many upsides: It forces you to spend time outside, it’s good for the environment and it can even be therapeutic. You can also shave a little money off your grocery bill if you choose to grow herbs, veggies and other edible plants. Sign up for this tutorial at the Chicago Botanic Garden to find out how to get started. $39
Release those kinks in your neck and knots in your shoulders in a restorative yoga class. The instructor focuses on meditative breathing exercises and restorative poses that are perfect for the end of a long day. Even the most stressful meetings will be forgotten once you get into extended child’s pose. $17
Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Anne Wu
Ask any yogi and they’ll tell you—no two yoga classes are alike. Turns out, the same goes for studios, too.
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