Whether you’re staying in D.C. for the summer to lock in some class credits or to intern, you can spend your free time exploring new hobbies with these classes around the District.
From drawing to boxing, the District has plenty to make your summer exciting.
Meditation
Meditation is a natural remedy for ailments like depression and anxiety. If you’re looking to become more mindful, try a guided meditation class at Take Five Meditation on Connecticut Avenue. Classes are open to both beginners and advanced meditators, and the studio features a tea lounge for relaxation and reflection. You can sign up for a discounted $15 class if you’re a first-time customer. If you want to come back for more after your first class, opt for the five-class pack ($90) or the 10-class pack ($150).
Take Five Meditation, 1803 Connecticut Ave. NW, second floor.
Art classes
For those hankering to explore their artistic side, head to the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. If you’re looking to build up your drawing skills, sign up for the “Outdoor Drawing: Nature, Architecture and More” class ($160) held every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for three weeks. For those interested in photography, the workshop offers a street photography class, which is also held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for the same price. For the fashionista, try the “Beyond Fashion: Sewing and More” course ($330), which includes both history lessons on sewing and instructions on how to sew. The class is held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday from June 15 to July 20.
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE.
Rock climbing
Hop on the Blue Line to the Earth Treks gym for an indoor rock climbing park. Take your workout to new heights by climbing one of its 400+ roped routes at the Crystal City location. If you’re a starter, try the “Intro to Climbing Class” ($30), which teaches beginners how to climb independently. Once you get some experience, you can purchase a one-month membership ($120) with unlimited climbing and discounted classes, or a seven-visit pass ($150). When you arrive, you can rent gear from Earth Treks, including climbing shoes, a harness, a belay device and a chalk bag, for $11.
Earth Treks, 1235 S Clark St., Arlington, Va.
Boxing
Boxing can be a great reliever for pent-up stress. The Rumble boxing studio in the West End offers 45-minute classes with 10 rounds of combined boxing and weight-training exercises. The workout, which has been acclaimed by celebrities like Kendall Jenner and David Beckham, is open to beginners. Each class begins with a five-minute “pre-class” that introduces different punches and techniques to use during the workout. You can purchase your first class for $34, which includes a free second class. After that, try a five-class pack for $165 or a 10-class pack for $320.
Rumble D.C., 2001 M St. NW, Suite 120.
Yoga
Try one of Yoga District’s several locations around D.C. Yoga District offers classes with varying difficulty, starting with Level 1 for beginners and up to Level 3 for advanced students. The studios provide several different yoga types, including flow, core-focused, gentle and meditative yoga. An individual class costs $11.50, and mat rental costs $2. If you like your first class, the studio offers an unlimited one-month pass for first-time students for $35. If you’re tight on cash, Yoga District also has a program where customers can volunteer at the studio three to four hours a week in exchange for free yoga.
Locations vary
