I originally signed up for one of the many courses that Context International offers on the…read moresuggestion of a close friend. I didn't know what to expect, but decided I would give it a shot. What I found was an incredible set of tools and methods to be more effective in my every-day life. By understanding and focusing on what is most important to me, I have been able to combine my passion for technology with my love of working with people in a tech management role at an early-stage startup. I have since taken a variety of other courses from Context and each one has been incredibly valuable, helping me understand what motivates me, the experiences I want in life, and the legacy I want to leave behind. I would highly recommend these courses to anyone who wants more out of life.

I've taken a number of courses from Context and have received tremendous value from them…read more I took the first course when I was in college. I'd say that my experience in college was pretty typical - world of possibilities and a lot of confusion on what road to take. Through the tools and exercises in the courses, I gained a lot of clarity on what I wanted in both my professional and personal life. Having that clarity was awesome, but what really sealed the deal for me was that the courses were structured to help me achieve my goals and sustain lasting results. The most recent course I've taken is Presentation Dynamics and I would highly recommend that course to anyone. The instructor, Jim Sorensen, is an incredible public speaker and teacher. He takes a very unique approach to teaching public speaking that is extremely effective for all personality types. If you are a professional looking to get a taste of what Context has to offer, this is the course to take! Amazing!

When you stop learning you essentially stop living. I have been attending classes at LLC for the…read morelast 8 years at their last two locations in Northern Seattle. It has been a life-changing experience for me as well as many others who attend regularly. The teachers are an outstanding group of people who are committed to learning by participating. There are no lectures; there are group discussions on a wide variety of topics from current events to literature, to exercise for health, to the arts in many forms. Every class presents an opportunity to expand your mind and/or body that creates a vibrancy in later life that stimulates learning that may not be otherwise possible due to physical constraints that is a normal part of the aging process. If you are a senior, it is worth your time to come to LLC and leave you ailments and apathy behind and permit your mind to return to the joy of learning.

I've been a student at Lifetime Learning Center for about ten years and can't say enough good…read morethings about it. It's a 38 year old non-profit educational institution that offers reasonably priced college level classes for adults of all ages. Over 25 of these non-credit classes are offered per quarter and include such subjects as literature, opera appreciation, history, watercolor, cinema, movement, writing, poetry, bridge and much more. New and different classes are offered every quarter and they're taught by a great faculty who all volunteer their time. There are often nearly 300 students enrolled per quarter. And the cost? It's amazingly inexpensive--the tuition for an 8 week course is typically just $30. This place is unique and is often referred to as one of Seattle's best kept secrets. I can see why. It's a very friendly place too. They hold Open Houses at the beginning of every quarter so that people can meet the instructors and hear brief summaries about upcoming classes. In March 2013 Lifetime Learning is moving to new facilities at 3841 NE 123rd St. in Lake City. (It was formerly located in a school near Green Lake for several years and before that in a Sand Point area school for many years.)

Liz Chalmers is a childbirth educator, midwife-in-training, mom to four (with births in a hospital,…read morebirth center, and at home), and the executive director of the Puget Sound Birth Center in Kirkland. She is also an incredibly positive, down-to-earth person, ideally suited to teaching classes about natural childbirth. She teaches three classes: - a seven-week childbirth class - a five-week childbirth class for those with less available time or who have given birth before but want to try a more natural birth this time - a one-day refresher childbirth class for those who have given birth before Classes are small, with a maximum of 8 couples, so the interaction is good and your questions will probably be answered. You will also get a chance to get to know other people who are giving birth around the same time as you, and friendships can be formed over food (most classes are held in the evening and you are welcome to bring food to eat before class). I am trying to convince Liz to add a sibling class for older kids who want to witness birth of their siblings. Most sibling classes are for little kids, and for moms planning hospital births, so they are not ideal. From Liz's page: "Birth Zone classes emphasize the simplicity of the process and the power of your body to do the work. At the end of the series of classes, my goal is that you will be: - more confident of your body's innate wisdom and, therefore, your ability to birth - more equipped with techniques you can turn to in labor - more knowledgeable about the process and the various paths you may take - more capable of making informed decisions regarding your care and, for the birth partner: - more confident of your role Whether you give birth--as most of you will--using only your own resources, or whether you require some assistance along the way, I hope you will look back on the birth of your baby with satisfaction and joy."

Julia Z.'s reviews hits all the salient facts about Liz's childbirth education classes…read more I liked... -Liz doesn't push a specific type of birthing method (i.e. Bradley, Lamaze, etc.) -She offered personal stories to help you connect with her and understand that she wasn't just teaching the material, she has experienced it. Four times, no less. -Her class rate is very affordable. We were on a tight budget before LO was born, so cost was a definite concern. -She is friendly, approachable, honest, and has a good sense-of-humor. Besides the classes, she holds a monthly reunion for current and past BirthZone attendees. It's really fun to see the other parents and watch the babies grow. I really like that Liz cares enough about her clients that she *wants* to see them, even after they have "graduated" from her class.

The Institute offers great tools for understanding how my Behavior Style differs from others, that…read moremy intent is different from my impact. EI has some insightful and super engaging facilitators. Not only have I been able to apply their framework in the workspace but in my personal life as well--they're one of the better-kept secrets in the organizational behavior and social-emotional learning fields. I plan on using their People Skills course to better tailor my emails to coworkers. It's only been a few days but I'm seeing the effect already. Fewer tensions, miscommunications, and better results. And, 39 years in the business. What a legacy!

Definitely worth the time! I have take several workshops through the Effectiveness Institute as…read morewell as engaged with some of the staff 1:1 and have seen my professional skills improve dramatically. I am a better communicator, I have become more skilled at moving through conflict, and have generally gained better and deeper understanding of why people do the things that they do. It has not only improved my ability to have strong working relationships, but the skills have also improved my personal relationships! I highly recommend!

Amazing school of change for all learning ages. Firsthand experience of watching students develop…read morecognitively which had massive impact on their lives.

From the owner: Eaton Arrowsmith Academy has empowered thousands of neurodiverse children, teens, and adults to…read moreshift from surviving to thriving with programs that enhance and strengthen cognitive abilities, improve achievement skills and build academic independence.