Philosophy Classes in NYC, New York

The Happier Hour is a monthly event series bringing philosophy out of the ivory tower of academia and into our modern day agora: the bar. It’s like the self-help section– only way funnier, smarter, and with booze. And now it’s a podcast too! 

What is melancholy? And why does this term of art shadow the activities of literature and philosophy? Historically, “melancholia” referred to a disorder resulting from an imbalance of the body: an excess of black bile thought to cause sustained sadness, sudden and inexplicable anger, sullen fits, and intense imaginative capability. Melancholy could...

Is there an American way of philosophizing? However entrepreneurial or materialist the United States seems to be, the development of philosophical pragmatism seems a straightforward rebuke to Alexis de Tocqueville’s claim that “Americans have no philosophic school of their own … there is no country less interested in philosophy.” Yet, what...

Angela Y. Davis’ wide-ranging work over the past five decades marks her as one of our most important contemporary intellectuals. Though known to many primarily as a political activist, Davis has made important contributions to feminist theory, Black studies, critical theory, and sociology. What are the themes that bind Davis’ diverse intellectual...

Sanskrit is the ancient language of the seers and sages of ancient India. The major authoritative scriptures of yoga philosophy, the mantras we meditate with and the chants we chant are all in this wondrous language. The Sanskrit language has a primordial and powerful vibration. Its 50 basic sounds are vibrating in our six chakras. Due to its powerful...

The Anarchist Emma Goldman said, “If I can’t dance to it, it’s not my revolution.” Kick up your heels and join us for a tour of the neighborhood that shaped her freewheeling philosophy. As we wind our way between 14th Street and Houston Street, we’ll uncover the area’s rebellious past. Along the way, we’ll meet the Rebel Girl and the...

The tarot is a powerful symbolic system whose images express mystical ideas from the Platonic, Pythagorean, and Hermetic traditions. Once one grasps the tarot’s philosophy and structure, the cards can be used as an intuitive device to connect with one’s inner wisdom.  In this class we will study the symbolism of the tarot as its Italian Renaissance...

In this weekend intensive, mothers will learn and be prepared with the birth of their child with confidence and relaxation. This childbirth preparation class is designed to offer couples a well-rounded, accessible curriculum. As doulas and childbirth educators, we have assisted thousands of couples through a very wide range of birth choices and...

This course is an introduction to social responsibility and its relationship to environmental responsibility, sustainability, transparency, accountability and human rights. Explore the challenges, risks, and successes of company corporate social responsibility departments and the key stakeholders for responsible manufacturing.  Learn how to integrate...

Advanced Yoga Therapy builds upon the foundation laid in the previous PYI courses, and provides advanced knowledge and skills training for real world YT settings. The course is divided into two sections - one residential, and the other live/interactive online.  The first section includes a three-weekend residential training and integrates real...

Our healing training programs begin with self-healing mastery. We believe learning about the self and overcoming challenges helps you gain the capacity to assist others. When you learn to heal yourself, you are ready to share your healing experiences with others. This workshop includes Usui Reiki Attunement Level 1. It is open to beginners as well...

“Marry or don't marry, you will regret it either way,” Soren Kierkegaard once wrote pseudonymously. Was he right? Why do people marry? Should they? In marriage, people promise ‘till death do them part, but can marriage make love stay? Or is it actually the fastest way to cure lovers? Is marriage a good way to organize families, or is it a tool...

The Core Mat I program is the foundation of the Power Pilates method. Each subsequent program builds upon the information learned during this course. During this weekend you will learn to teach the 18 beginner level mat exercises and be introduced to Power Pilates teaching tools, philosophy, and teaching formula.  Every student new to Power Pilates...

You will learn the Shorinji Kempo techniques that are rationally designed to exploit the principles of body mechanics, physiology, and psychology so that anyone can do them. Shorinji Kempo is a method of self-defense that anyone, regardless of gender or age, can learn. The syllabus of Shorinji Kempo is divided into two main parts: Goho (hard system)...

You will learn the Shorinji Kempo techniques that are rationally designed to exploit the principles of body mechanics, physiology, and psychology so that anyone can do them. Shorinji Kempo is a method of self-defense that anyone, regardless of gender or age, can learn. The syllabus of Shorinji Kempo is divided into two main parts: Goho (hard system)...