title: Calling multiple functions from a class in Python without repeating the class name every time
body: <p>I feel this is a very simple question but I can't find to seem a proper answer. Basically I have a list of functions call from a class named simulation:</p>
  
  <pre><code>simulation.addGroup("teapotarmy")
  simulation.populateGroup(20)
  simulation.addNode("input",INPUT)
  simulation.addNode("output",OUTPUT);
  simulation.connectNodes("input","output");
  simulation.manipOutputNode("output", "group.xvel");
  simulation.manipInputNode("input", 1, 0.05);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is there a way to call those functions without having to repeat the class name everytime? Something along the line of:</p>
  
  <pre><code>(thethingIwant) simulation:
      addGroup("teapotarmy")
      populateGroup(20)
      addNode("input",INPUT)
      ...
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have done this in other programming languages but I haven't figured out the syntax in Python. I have a faint memory of it having something to do with the 'with' statement...? 
  Thanks in advance.</p>
  
  <p>Leon</p>