Learn Something New
Learning new things can break you out of the rut created by a day-to-day work routine and the minor (and major) stresses of daily life. Plus, don’t you ever miss the challenge of learning something new? To break out of your rut and get your mind engaged, think outside the box. What is something that you have always wanted to do, but haven’t? Take amazing photos? Paint a picture? Practice yoga? Learn some local history?
While there are some things you can teach yourself, or even learn online, here are a few great options the island community of St. Croix has to offer:
Art Classes:
Barbara’s Art Studio offers painting classes for everyone, including beginners, hence no experience is required. The frame Up sells art and craft kits, as well as offering demonstrations and classes. You can even take classes online! Another great option is to take a workshop at The Courtyard such as silk painting, batik fabric, and more. In either case, you can learn something new while also engaging your creative side. On top of being creative, you will make new friends and have a lot of fun in the process.
Yoga and Meditation:
Yoga is not only great for your body, but it quiets your mind and reduces stress. St. Croix boasts a number of yoga studios offering everything from beginning yoga and meditation, to more advance classes such as aerial yoga or buti yoga. You can even get your kids involved with a kids yoga class.
Bush Skills Workshops:
Learn some new survival skills, tropical skills, or even learn about the plants and trees that grow in the ‘bush’. Mount Victory Camp offers an array of one-day or even week-long workshops that include skills like primitive fire making, basket weaving, making arrowheads or other primitive tools, rope making, wild food collection and preparation, and more.
Historical Tours:
Learn about the unique and diverse history of St. Croix by visiting one or more of the island’s historical attractions or attending a free lecture given by the National Park Service. Take a museum tour, a safari bus tour, or even a self-guided tour of some of St. Croix’s many historical locations such as: Whim Plantation Museum, St. George Village Botanical Gardens, Lawaetz Family Museum, Cruzan Rum Distillery, Christiansted National Historic District, Fort Frederik, or Estate Mt. Washington. Or, take a guided historical tour of Christiansted or Frederiksted with local organization CHANT.
Water Sports:
Why not learn a new water sport and enjoy St. Croix’s warm Caribbean seas? I am partial to scuba diving, and the island offers an array of dive sites, as well as shops where you can learn to dive or advance your skills. If you would rather stay on top of the water, consider kite surfing, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding. Learning one of these water sports will help you get more physical activity while getting a taste of something new.
Learning new things can break you out of the rut created by a day-to-day work routine and the minor (and major) stresses of daily life. Plus, don’t you ever miss the challenge of learning something new? To break out of your rut and get your mind engaged, think outside the box. What is something that you have always wanted to do, but haven’t? Take amazing photos? Paint a picture? Practice yoga? Learn some local history?
While there are some things you can teach yourself, or even learn online, here are a few great options the island community of St. Croix has to offer:
Art Classes:
Barbara’s Art Studio offers painting classes for everyone, including beginners, hence no experience is required. The frame Up sells art and craft kits, as well as offering demonstrations and classes. You can even take classes online! Another great option is to take a workshop at The Courtyard such as silk painting, batik fabric, and more. In either case, you can learn something new while also engaging your creative side. On top of being creative, you will make new friends and have a lot of fun in the process.
Yoga and Meditation:
Yoga is not only great for your body, but it quiets your mind and reduces stress. St. Croix boasts a number of yoga studios offering everything from beginning yoga and meditation, to more advance classes such as aerial yoga or buti yoga. You can even get your kids involved with a kids yoga class.
Bush Skills Workshops:
Learn some new survival skills, tropical skills, or even learn about the plants and trees that grow in the ‘bush’. Mount Victory Camp offers an array of one-day or even week-long workshops that include skills like primitive fire making, basket weaving, making arrowheads or other primitive tools, rope making, wild food collection and preparation, and more.
Historical Tours:
Learn about the unique and diverse history of St. Croix by visiting one or more of the island’s historical attractions or attending a free lecture given by the National Park Service. Take a museum tour, a safari bus tour, or even a self-guided tour of some of St. Croix’s many historical locations such as: Whim Plantation Museum, St. George Village Botanical Gardens, Lawaetz Family Museum, Cruzan Rum Distillery, Christiansted National Historic District, Fort Frederik, or Estate Mt. Washington. Or, take a guided historical tour of Christiansted or Frederiksted with local organization CHANT.
Water Sports:
Why not learn a new water sport and enjoy St. Croix’s warm Caribbean seas? I am partial to scuba diving, and the island offers an array of dive sites, as well as shops where you can learn to dive or advance your skills. If you would rather stay on top of the water, consider kite surfing, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding. Learning one of these water sports will help you get more physical activity while getting a taste of something new.
Ballroom or Latin Dancing:
Have you ever wanted to be able to get out on the floor and dance confidently at social functions? St. Croix Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio can help you learn to dance. Try any number of popular ballroom or Latin styles, then join in at some of their social gatherings or island wide events to practice your newly developed skills! It’s fun, it’s great exercise, AND it’s a great way to meet new people.
Whether you want to try something physical, nurture your creative side, or expand your body of knowledge, learning something new will be fulfilling and help you break out of your day-to-day routine. You may have heard of a very wise man named Gandhi who said, ‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.’ I think the true lesson in his words is to live AND learn!
-Jennie Ogden, Editor
Whether you want to try something physical, nurture your creative side, or expand your body of knowledge, learning something new will be fulfilling and help you break out of your day-to-day routine. You may have heard of a very wise man named Gandhi who said, ‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.’ I think the true lesson in his words is to live AND learn!
-Jennie Ogden, Editor