Tai Chi Supports Healthy Aging

The University of Denver’s Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging (KIHA) is practicing what it preaches. Starting in January, the institute began hosting weekly tai chi classes that are open to the campus.

“Tai chi is an absolute perfect kind of exercise that you can do to strengthen your balance and put your mind and your physical knowledge of your muscular structure together,” says Karen Krupar, one of the weekly participants.

The classes are open to the DU community — students, faculty, staff and volunteers — and no matter your age, tai chi offers something for everyone.

“Tai chi is incredibly versatile. An exercise that might help an older adult alleviate knee or hip pain might benefit someone younger in a mental way,” says Mike Sanin, the instructor of the class.

The classes are sponsored by KIHA and take place every Friday from 1–2 p.m. on the fifth-floor rotunda of the engineering and computer science building. Classes offer an opportunity for anyone on campus to take a break and focus on healthy aging.

“It helps us relax, and it helps us live more in the now,” Sanin says. “Our society and our entire lives are very conducive to building up stress, so tai chi helps mitigate that.”

To read about the grand opening of KIHA this past fall at the University of Denver, click here.

To learn about the research KIHA is conducting around athletes and concussions, click here.