A2FS is an organization composed entirely of volunteers who team up with the community to provide free, accessible and inclusive classes, skillshares, workshops, discussion groups, and events that promote the mutually beneficial exchange of ideas, skills, and smiles here in Ann Arbor (and Ypsilanti), Michigan, USA!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
A2FS Yoga is back!
Hey y'all, please join us for A2FS Yoga! All sessions are beginner friendly. We recommend bringing a yoga mat and wearing comfortable clothing!
Meet our new instructors:
Gina
Rodger
The sessions:
Saturday, November 2nd, 10am - 11am with Rodger
Wednesday, November 6th, 10am - 11am with Gina (Intro)
Wednesday, November 6th, 11:30 - 12:30 with Gina (Vinyasa)
at the Ann Arbor Civic Theater
322 W. Ann St. AA 48104
The sessions will start on their scheduled time, so please arrive 10-15 minutes early to give yourself time to get ready.
Hope to see you there! Bring a friend!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Ann Arbor Sharing Summit
Hey Ann Arbor Free Skool,
It's been a bit, last we saw you all was DIY fest in June.
We hope everyone is having a great summer!
Spread the word about this Sharing Summit! Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
July 24th Yoga CANCELLED
Meet us next week. July 31st. same time. Same place. Same amazing Lindsy instructing!!!!!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
More Free Yoga
MORE FREE YOGA with Lindsay Devine
Every Tuesday beginning April 23rd
6:30-7:30pm
We will meet in West park NEAR THE CLAMSHELL!
Every Tuesday beginning April 23rd
6:30-7:30pm
We will meet in West park NEAR THE CLAMSHELL!
Vinyasa means 'flowing movement'. Come learn and practice traditional
yoga postures, weaving them into flowing sequences. This class is for
all levels.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Spring DIY Fest!!!
The focus of this year's A2FS Spring DIY Fest is to kick off a great summer of A2 Free Skool skillshares and events. This Saturday we will have a bunch of skillshares focused on DIY agriculture, healthy foods, and more! On top of all that there will be a great variety of deliciousness available at Mark’s Carts. Our goal is to make a positive impact here in Ann Arbor by cultivating a community of folks who help educate one another and have a damn good time doing it.
Due to the rescheduling, workshops and bands may change:
Workshops:
Massage Skillshare
Kombucha Brewing
DIY Garden Tools
Seed Starting
Eating Healthy & Losing Weight
Macrame Skillshare
DIY Dress from a T-Shirt
Spring Foraging
Hula Hoop Building
Juggling for Beginners
Bands:
Bryan Tucker
Vagrant Symphony
Dan Florida
Charles Slick
Unicorn
Don't forget to bring some donations for the Free Store! Clothing, books... anything and everything is accepted.
Also... bonfires, bubbles and a secret performance at dusk!
Event schedule and more info coming soon.... Stay tuned!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Spring DIY Fest is coming soon!
The A2FS Spring DIY Fest will be Saturday, April 13th
starting at 4PM at Mark’s Carts and Bill’s Beer Garden
The focus of our spring DIY Fest is FOOD and there will be a great variety of deliciousness from Mark’s Carts. Our goal is to educate Ann Arbor on local food and agriculture, in as many ways as we can.
Want to help out?!
We are still seeking teachers! As we mentioned, our focus is on food, so any food demonstrations, food sampling, nutrition information, recipe cards, or garden designs would be great! We are also open to any non-food-related workshops, skillshares or art demonstrations.
We are also still seeking more entertainment, from bands for the Beer Garden, acoustic musical performers for around the Carts, live painters, dance instructors, circus performers or whatever your talent may be!
Please let us know if you are interested in contributing ASAP with an email to a2freeskool@gmail.com Our deadline for the DIY Fest schedule is Tuesday, April 2nd at midnight.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Local Politics Support Group
The local politics support group meets every second and fourth Thursday, at 214 Charles St, Ann Arbor, at 7pm. Delicious vegetarian+vegan food will be provided and you may bring some as well.
Our speaker for Thursday, March 28 is Lawrence Kestenbaum, county clerk/regiser of deeds.
The format of the evening will be thus:
We will go around and introduce ourselves. Then, if we have researched any topics in local politics, we will bring them up at this time and discuss them. Our guest speaker will have a chance to weigh in on these topics, answer questions, and also bring up topics of their own.
Our speaker for Thursday, March 28 is Lawrence Kestenbaum, county clerk/regiser of deeds.
The format of the evening will be thus:
We will go around and introduce ourselves. Then, if we have researched any topics in local politics, we will bring them up at this time and discuss them. Our guest speaker will have a chance to weigh in on these topics, answer questions, and also bring up topics of their own.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
March Teachers
Who are THESE people?
SPANISH: Carolyn Lusch As a child, Carolyn's parents used Spanish to communicate in front of her about sensitive topics such as finances and ice cream, and she believes that this is where her preoccupation with the language began. She studied it throughout high school and in the University of Michigan's Residential College, falling in love with Roberto Bolaño and cool words such as ferrocarril (railroad). A few months in Madrid compelled her to use the word coche instead of carro, and her time at a Spanish immersion preschool forever imprinted the phrase en la boca no (don't eat it!) in her mind. When not occupied in her job (and other passion) advocating for better public transit, she likes to teach other folks how to speak this super useful language.
HOLISTIC WELLNESS: Ken Poucket
- Senior Wellness Director - Creating Balance to Be Fit
- Holistic Wellness Practitioner for 10 years
- Logged over 20,000 one on one training hours
- American Public University
- Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
- Minor in Religion
- National Academy of Sports Medicine
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Performance Enhancement Specialist
- Corrective Exercise Specialist
-NOW Foods Sponsored Athlete - UltraMarathon Running
-Team Vega Sponsored Athlete - UltraMarathon Running
-Team Merrell Alpha Pack Elite Team Member - UltraMarathon Running
-Featured in Beverly International "No Nonsense Newsletter" Vol. 17, Issue 3
-Author of 5 Information Manual/E-Books
-"Food is Good" Cooking Manual
-"Real Food...?" Seminar Manual
-Grocery Learning Experience Manual
-Vitality Seminar Series Informational Guidebook
-Creating Balance Vitamin and Mineral Reference Guide
-Creator of over 20 seminar presentations on all aspects of holistic health/wellness

SPANISH: Carolyn Lusch As a child, Carolyn's parents used Spanish to communicate in front of her about sensitive topics such as finances and ice cream, and she believes that this is where her preoccupation with the language began. She studied it throughout high school and in the University of Michigan's Residential College, falling in love with Roberto Bolaño and cool words such as ferrocarril (railroad). A few months in Madrid compelled her to use the word coche instead of carro, and her time at a Spanish immersion preschool forever imprinted the phrase en la boca no (don't eat it!) in her mind. When not occupied in her job (and other passion) advocating for better public transit, she likes to teach other folks how to speak this super useful language.
HOLISTIC WELLNESS: Ken Poucket
- Senior Wellness Director - Creating Balance to Be Fit
- Holistic Wellness Practitioner for 10 years
- Logged over 20,000 one on one training hours
- American Public University
- Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
- Minor in Religion
- National Academy of Sports Medicine
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Performance Enhancement Specialist
- Corrective Exercise Specialist
-NOW Foods Sponsored Athlete - UltraMarathon Running
-Team Vega Sponsored Athlete - UltraMarathon Running
-Team Merrell Alpha Pack Elite Team Member - UltraMarathon Running
-Featured in Beverly International "No Nonsense Newsletter" Vol. 17, Issue 3
-Author of 5 Information Manual/E-Books
-"Food is Good" Cooking Manual
-"Real Food...?" Seminar Manual
-Grocery Learning Experience Manual
-Vitality Seminar Series Informational Guidebook
-Creating Balance Vitamin and Mineral Reference Guide
-Creator of over 20 seminar presentations on all aspects of holistic health/wellness

WILD EDIBLES:
Nathan Czuba
Nathan has been foraging for more than 10 years and once lived on nothing but foraged food for a month.
NON-PHARMACEUTICAL CONTRACEPTION: Christina Guldi
Christina is an aspiring neighborhood witch who believes in community
healing which includes the support of local plants and people. She
encourages folks to question the intentions of our current medical system(among other things)
and enjoys exploring our ancient wisdom. Tubing down the Huron River
in the summer months is a weekly adventure and you may see her dancing
in her car to Tori Amos songs around town. She has been studying and practicing non-pharmaceutical contraception on and off (yes, she's has her dry times) for over 10 years.
Earth Democracy Book Klub LINDSEA MARCINIEC
Lindsea is a cat-loving, earth-loving ecofeminist who is interested in
new philosophical/ethical background and approaches to creating a better
democracy. She loves to dance, and loves bluegrass and folk music
especially. She currently works at the University of Michigan as a
research technician and academically speaking, got her Master's degree
in community psychology and social change. As a result, she is very
interesting in community based research and development of sense of
community. She currently facilitates the "Earth democracy" book club at
the Ann Arbor Free Skool and is enjoying it greatly!
Ashtanga & Vinyasa Yoga
Karla Johanna Carla Samson
Lindsay Devine: Free Vinyasa Yoga at West Park
Ashtanga & Vinyasa Yoga
Karla Johanna Carla Samson
Lindsay Devine: Free Vinyasa Yoga at West Park
has been teaching yoga in Ann Arbor for the past 8
years. She lives on the West side of town with her partner, daughter,
and 2 cats.
March out for some Yoga
Ann Arbor Free Skool Yoga this March
led by our favorite Certified Yoga Instructors: Carla and Karla
- 1 pm - 2 pm on Friday, March 8th(C)
- 11 am - 12 pm on Tuesday, March 19th(K)
- 1 pm - 2 pm on Friday, March 22nd(C)
- 11 am - 12 pm on Tuesday, March 26th(K)
- 1 pm - 2 pm on Friday, March 29th(C)
A2FS Yoga will be held at the Ann Arbor Civic Theater
322 W. Ann (it's the PURPLE building hiding behind the Ross-Beakes Collison Shop)
Please arrive early and remember to bring:
- a Yoga mat
- a bottle of Water
- as many Friends as you can carry
As always, our skillshares/workshops/events are completely FREE...
...but we would like share with you that A2FS will be paying $10 per session to use this studio. So, if you are feeling generous and you want A2FS Yoga to continue, please show your support by bringing a donation of a few dollars.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Collecting & Cooking Wild Edibles
with Nathan and Christina
Nathan
will guide you through Miller Park to identify and gather Spring
edibles, while Christina interrupts him with medicinal & folklore
tidbits. After our Harvest, we will create a satisfying and well rounded meal from what we have gathered.
Sunday April 21st at 12pm to 4pm-ish:
Meet at Miller Park at the Arborview Street Entrance.
Meet at Miller Park at the Arborview Street Entrance.
Please bring a bag(s) to gather plants, a hand shovel (if you have one,) proper attire, or any other fun things such as your favorite knife and a ripe appetite!
Please RSVP with Christina at YesSheSaidAA@gmail.com
Ficktion Book Klub: The Alchemist
We are back in ACTION!
This time around we are reading the classic
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Beginning Thursday March 14th, we will be meeting every Thursday in the basement of
Cafe Ambrosia.
7pm
If you are interested in joining us, please do! We ask that you
get a copy of the book and read to page 35 before the first meeting so
we can discuss up to that point. It's always a pleasure to meld minds
with other Free Skoolers and great literature - come see what we mean.
From Good Reads: "Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This
story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is
about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his
homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried
in the Pyramids. But what starts out as a
journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure
found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago
is an eternal testament to the transformation power of our dreams and
the importance of listening to our hearts."
Monday, February 25, 2013
Linux Class
There will be a two-part class on Linux, at the "All Hands Active" hackerspace on Monday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 19 from 8-10pm.
Part I, on Monday, March 18: This class is intended for people who have heard that Linux is a thing, and aren't quite sure what that thing is, or have the idea that Linux is something they want to use and aren't quite sure how to go about it.
In Part I, we will explain what Linux is and why you might want to use it. Also, bring your laptop and join the "let's all install linux on our laptops" party.
Part I, on Monday, March 18: This class is intended for people who have heard that Linux is a thing, and aren't quite sure what that thing is, or have the idea that Linux is something they want to use and aren't quite sure how to go about it.
In Part I, we will explain what Linux is and why you might want to use it. Also, bring your laptop and join the "let's all install linux on our laptops" party.
Part II, on Tuesday, March 19: This is a class for people who have installed Linux on their computers (perhaps due to their attendance of the Linux Part I class on the previous day) and want to become better at using Linux for day-to-day productivity tasks. Figure out what open-source programs you can use to replace the closed-source software you were using.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Announcing: Body Positivity Writing Workshop
Lia Perjovschi, Body Mind Map, 2006 |
Bodies are weird and complicated and beautiful and they are the sites of pleasure, pain, gender, sexuality, JOY, shame, and celebration. The Body Positivity Writing Workshop will explore these complex relationships with our bodies through writing and discussion.
Never written about your body? It can be EXCITING and THOUGHT PROVOKING and HEALING. Consider these prompts:
- When are you most aware of your body?
- What part of your body do you specifically check out in the mirror?
- When did you know your gender identity?
- What did your parents tell you about your body growing up?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Film Dubadub Dub
Participatory Movie Going
Empowered audience participation, improvising musicians & voice acting over a silent film!
Empowered audience participation, improvising musicians & voice acting over a silent film!
Join us for an evening, free of charge, comprised of:
• A brief improvisational workshop (acting and very brief music improvisation)
• Screening of a classic silent film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
• Live improvised acting and musicians (potentially you among them!)
• Community dialog on mindful media consumption and paradigms for co-creativity
While framed (and planned) as a fun experience, we hope attendees shall discover tangible themes of democracy and community in exploring opportunities for empowerment and participation.
We encourage attendees to bring their imagination, musical instruments (including some noisemakers), vocal cords, hands and feet, an open mind, creative spirit, and a healthy dollop of fun and/or silliness.
• Live improvised acting and musicians (potentially you among them!)
• Community dialog on mindful media consumption and paradigms for co-creativity
While framed (and planned) as a fun experience, we hope attendees shall discover tangible themes of democracy and community in exploring opportunities for empowerment and participation.
We encourage attendees to bring their imagination, musical instruments (including some noisemakers), vocal cords, hands and feet, an open mind, creative spirit, and a healthy dollop of fun and/or silliness.
When:
7pm - 10pm on Saturday, February 23rd.
Location:
The Glass Room https://www.facebook.com/ TheGlassRoomA2
617 E Liberty St #4
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
What's happening?!?!
It's basically a full-length version of the improv voice acting game "film dub" (i.e.http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qnkq-T0aW18 ), but with musical instruments, and audience participation set to a classic silent film followed by contemplative community discussion at the end of the night. If you enjoy the bizarre nature of a Tim Burton film (i.e. Beetlejuice, Nightmare Before Christmas), the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari should resonate well.
However, as a live group of empowered performers and audience members, we have the choice to shape the nature of the film’s narrative. In recognizing this, we can explore broader worldviews and paradigmatic implications that shape audience experiences in media, entertainment, and equitable governance. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is among the first horror films ever to grace the silver screen, but how will we choose to live our experience? As a Comedy? Tragedy? Horror? Drama?
Using this gathering as an opportunity for transformative change, what other things shall we do as a community that we wouldn't be able to do as individuals?
7pm - 10pm on Saturday, February 23rd.
Location:
The Glass Room https://www.facebook.com/
617 E Liberty St #4
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
What's happening?!?!
It's basically a full-length version of the improv voice acting game "film dub" (i.e.http://www.youtube.com/
However, as a live group of empowered performers and audience members, we have the choice to shape the nature of the film’s narrative. In recognizing this, we can explore broader worldviews and paradigmatic implications that shape audience experiences in media, entertainment, and equitable governance. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is among the first horror films ever to grace the silver screen, but how will we choose to live our experience? As a Comedy? Tragedy? Horror? Drama?
Using this gathering as an opportunity for transformative change, what other things shall we do as a community that we wouldn't be able to do as individuals?
Let's find out together!
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/549145855104225/?ref=2
Local Politics Support Group
This is a support group for those seeking to understand the politics going on in this city, county, and region. This is not an activist group, so it is okay if we don't all agree on things. It's more like a book club for reading the newspaper. Staying informed will help us to be better citizens of our democratic society.
We will be meeting on second and fourth Thursdays, at 7pm.
The format of the group is like this:
A potluck is served at a member's home. A facilitator is chosen. A guest speaker may be invited. Someone who is a news-maker: A politician, a leader of some kind.
Guest speakers so far:
Thursday, March 14 - Yousef Rabhi, Washtenaw county commissioner
Thursday, March 28 - Lawrence Kestenbaum, Washtenaw county clerk and register of deeds, and maintainer of http://politicalgraveyard.com
The guest speaker will give a talk. There will be a question period, during which the speaker is asked neutral questions of fact. Once there are no more questions, free discussion period begins, during which people are free to speak their minds, and give opinions to the guest and to each other. This might give the guest speaker an idea of how the community feels on these topics.
Next, the news discussion. Each member pitches a topic for discussion. Possibly something from an article they've read on local politics, or something based on original research. Once all the pitches are made, each person casts a secret ballot of two votes. The most popular two topics will be discussed (this is in the interest of time; if time runs short, we will at least have discussed the most popular topics).
For each topic, the person who proposed it gives a little presentation. Perhaps a summary of the article they read, or a summary of their original research. Then, a question period and a discussion period.
Discussion must be kept civil and constructive, especially in the event of a disagreement. Remember, this is not an action group, so it is not necessary that we come to decisions as a group.
(also, see the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/254618858006512/)
We will be meeting on second and fourth Thursdays, at 7pm.
The format of the group is like this:
A potluck is served at a member's home. A facilitator is chosen. A guest speaker may be invited. Someone who is a news-maker: A politician, a leader of some kind.
Guest speakers so far:
Thursday, March 14 - Yousef Rabhi, Washtenaw county commissioner
Thursday, March 28 - Lawrence Kestenbaum, Washtenaw county clerk and register of deeds, and maintainer of http://politicalgraveyard.com
The guest speaker will give a talk. There will be a question period, during which the speaker is asked neutral questions of fact. Once there are no more questions, free discussion period begins, during which people are free to speak their minds, and give opinions to the guest and to each other. This might give the guest speaker an idea of how the community feels on these topics.
Next, the news discussion. Each member pitches a topic for discussion. Possibly something from an article they've read on local politics, or something based on original research. Once all the pitches are made, each person casts a secret ballot of two votes. The most popular two topics will be discussed (this is in the interest of time; if time runs short, we will at least have discussed the most popular topics).
For each topic, the person who proposed it gives a little presentation. Perhaps a summary of the article they read, or a summary of their original research. Then, a question period and a discussion period.
Discussion must be kept civil and constructive, especially in the event of a disagreement. Remember, this is not an action group, so it is not necessary that we come to decisions as a group.
(also, see the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/254618858006512/)
Friday, February 15, 2013
Callin' all you Crazy Yoga Cats...
Ann Arbor Free Skool Yoga is back!
led by our favorite Certified Yoga Instructors: Carla and Karla
- Noon - 1 pm on Wednesday, February 20th (K)
- 1 pm - 2 pm on Friday, February 22nd (C)
- 11 am - Noon on Wednesday, February 27th (K)
- 1 pm - 2 pm on Friday, March 1st (C)
A2FS Yoga will be held at the Ann Arbor Civic Theater
322 W. Ann (it's the PURPLE building hiding behind the Ross-Beakes Collison Shop)
Please arrive early and remember to bring:
- a Yoga mat
- a bottle of Water
- as many Friends as you can carry
As always, our skillshares/workshops/events are completely FREE...
...but we would like share with you that A2FS will be paying $10 per session to use this studio. So, if you are feeling generous and you want A2FS Yoga to continue, please show your support by bringing a donation of a few dollars.
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