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education<br />

ballerinas need apply: there is always a waiting list and children must<br />

pass an entrance interview. Classes are conducted in English only.<br />

The teachers are all former or current soloists at the National Theatre<br />

Ballet. Thanks to the strong ties between the theater and this school,<br />

students are the ones under consideration for children’s roles in<br />

productions like “The Nutcracker”.<br />

Since spring of 2012, Holmes Place has offered regular courses<br />

that are available to non-members, under the guise of Holmes Place<br />

Academy. In addition to many classes for adults, they offer a range<br />

of dance classes for children. Courses are not taught in English,<br />

but the language can be supplemented depending on the ability of<br />

the teacher. At any rate, foreigners are always welcome and will be<br />

accommodated, as the gym has a modern and international vibe.<br />

Classical, modern, jazz, and even hip-hop ballet are taught to children<br />

from the age of six at beautiful dance studio Nathy’s in the suburbs of<br />

Prague 6. Classes are all taught in English. The International School<br />

of Music Fine Arts Prague, a mainstay on the expat horizon, has<br />

long been offering music education to kids both foreign and Czech.<br />

Their dance classes are taught in English, Czech, French, Russian,<br />

and Italian.<br />

WRitinG clASSeS<br />

The respected magazine for expatriates living abroad, Transitions<br />

Online, offers periodic week-long journalism courses for foreign<br />

correspondents in association with Radio Free Europe. The<br />

highly popular Prague Summer Program, taking place in July, is<br />

a collaborative effort between Charles University and the MFA<br />

department at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.<br />

This annual workshop is open to all budding wordsmiths who wish to<br />

be mentored by big-name writers (though you must be nominated by<br />

a published author to apply). Online courses are gaining worldwide<br />

popularity. Try the Gotham Writer’s Workshop (www.writingclasses.<br />

com) for fiction, travel writing, and more. MatadorU (matadoru.com)<br />

is a “New Media School for Travelers” with online classes in writing,<br />

documentary, and film.<br />

yoGA/mASSAGe teAcheR tRAininG<br />

Breath & Bandha Yoga Teacher Training and Certification (formerly<br />

known as Prague Yoga) trains those contemplating careers in yoga<br />

instruction and provides continuing education for existing yoga<br />

instructors. Graduates are eligible to teach worldwide and may apply<br />

to Yoga Alliance to become 200-hour registered yoga teachers.<br />

Here, the forty poses are studied in-depth. Exams are administered<br />

and instruction given completely in English. Tantra World explores<br />

the healing power of touch via workshops, lectures, and courses<br />

designed for learning the ancient art of tantric massage. Classes for<br />

couples Inzerátek or singles are 2012 available, as 21.8.2012 are certification 15:24 courses for those Stránka 1<br />

interested in opening their own practice.<br />

kidS’ StuFF in pRAGue: indooRS<br />

Prague parents prefer Letňany Lagoon to Aquapalace Praha for its<br />

lack of screaming teens, though the latter is Central Europe’s largest<br />

water park and has been known to attract tourists away from the city<br />

center and all its glory. Quite near the Letňany complex is the Skydive<br />

Arena, which actually simulates flying in a wind-tunnel under the<br />

supervision of an instructor.<br />

Aqua Dream is another top water-world pick. A number of Prague<br />

mall’s feature a dětský koutek or children’s corner with play areas<br />

and attractions of varying sizes. Among them are Palladium, Pankrác,<br />

Anděl, Chodov, Flora, Galerie Butovice, and Galaxie Zličín. A new one<br />

has cropped up at Obchodní Centrum Šestka (large and free, though<br />

the food court leaves something to be desired!).<br />

Beckiland is the mother of all indoor playgrounds with some twenty<br />

attractions, including go-karts. Dino Park at Galerie Harfa dazzles with<br />

3D cinema and life-like dinosaur replicas. Fantasy Park Kids’ Bowling<br />

provides ultra-light balls and lessons in English.<br />

For educational outings, the National Technological Museum, the<br />

Aviation Museum, and the Lego Museum all deliver hands-on fun.<br />

Do some stargazing at Planetarium Prague. Explore life aquatic at<br />

Mořský svět, a small-scale Sea World.<br />

Casts of dragons, devils, kings, and clowns will intrigue at one of<br />

Prague’s many puppet theaters, including the National Marionette<br />

Theater; the annual Letní Letná (www.letniletna.cz) circus festival<br />

stages English-friendly/kid-friendly performances.<br />

kidS’ StuFF in pRAGue: outdooRS<br />

Prague Zoo is a grrrreat starting point for outdoor fun. Toulcův dvůr<br />

is a community farm project and center for environmental education<br />

with cute animals on view. Get lost in the Maze of Mirrors, climb<br />

the mini-Eiffel tower, or encourage your pint-sized astronomer at the<br />

Štefánik Observatory on Petřín Hill.<br />

Pedal boating on the Vltava is a popular pastime for all ages; hop on<br />

one of Prague’s six ferries (your metro pass covers the fare) or take a<br />

ride on Nostalgic Tram 91 from April to November.<br />

The Kart Centrum Radotín has an indoor and outdoor track. The<br />

annual St. Matthew’s Funfair (Matějská pouť) runs from March–April,<br />

with carnival rides and exhibits to thrill all ages. Nearby, in Stromovka<br />

Park, the “tram playground” is a must for kids and parents both—the<br />

nearby restaurant Vozovna regularly garners rave reviews.<br />

When winter arrives, check out the hills at Kavčí hory for sledding<br />

or the Bobová Dráha toboggan run. Go ice-skating at Ovocný trh, Na<br />

Františku, or at the U Vodárny playground.<br />

THE INTERNATIONAL<br />

SCHOOL OF MUSIC<br />

Classical music, Jazz, Rock • Fine arts classes<br />

Ballet, Hip Hop, Street dance • Pre-school Music ateliers<br />

Tuition in English, Czech, French, German and Russian<br />

CONTACTS: + 420 731 445 215, + 420 731 445 213<br />

info@musicschoolprague.com • www.musicschoolprague.com<br />

106 | expats.cz survival guide www.expats.cz

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