Fitness & Movement   

This is the shortest of the six major Yang-style tai chi movements, taking about six minutes to complete. Tai chi is known for developing balance, strength, and flexibility. It is a form of meditation in movement. In this class you will learn all 24 forms and by the end be able to join other groups wherever you go.

This class is for both beginning and experienced birders. Through observation and the use of your binoculars, field guides, and birding apps, class participants learn to identify birds in their natural habitat. We will meet once a month at different birding locations for field trips that may involve up to 2 miles of walking.

This class is for students who have taken the "Birding in the Chico Area" class more than once. We will not cover birding basics and will spend more time in the field. We will meet once a month at different locations for field trips that may involve 2-3 miles of walking.

No previous Tai Chi experience is necessary. All the movements are slow and gentle, and no martial arts applications will be taught or practiced in this study group. These methods may help lessen body pain, correct spinal misalignment, cultivate a sense of internal energy, and rest the mind. Participants can wear comfortable roomy or stretchy clothing and some soft tai chi shoes or socks to wear on their feet.

"Folkloric" means "for everyone" – all ages, all abilities. If you can walk, you can dance; if you can talk, you can sing. This interactive class weaves together lecture, movement, live percussion, and discussion to explore embodied practices that preserve culture and build community. Participants learn through doing, engaging mind, body, and spirit in traditions that entertain, educate, and strengthen. As a bonus, when you're done, you won't need a trip to the gym.

Yes, really. Studies show it's better than crossword puzzles. It's good for your brain, your body, and your social life. We will find our common interest, be it modern dance, social dance, partnering, etc., and enjoy dance together. All levels of experience and abilities welcome.

The North State is home to rich, diverse public lands: refuges, parks, forests, and reserves. Your public lands provide vital wildlife habitat and protect our natural resources. On this field trip, we'll explore Gray Lodge with guidance from a California Department of Fish and Wildlife naturalist and enjoy an easy 2-mile nature walk on level paths. We will identify birds, enjoy stunning views of the Sutter Buttes, and learn about this haven for over 300 species of wildlife. Come explore your public lands with us!

Physical well-being allows us to live our longest, most capable, and fulfilling lives. Come ensure your well-being through mobility exercises. We'll practice balance, strength, agility, and flexibility movements that improve your mobility. Each class follows a similar routine that can be done at home, allowing you to look after the health of your body for many years to come. All ability levels are welcome. Your body will thank you!

Physical well-being allows us to live our longest, most capable, and fulfilling lives. Come ensure your well-being through mobility exercises. We'll practice balance, strength, agility, and flexibility movements that improve your mobility. Each class follows a similar routine that can be done at home, allowing you to look after the health of your body for many years to come. All ability levels are welcome. Your body will thank you!

Let go of stress and come home to yourself. Over millennia, the sages of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition developed highly effective methods of movement, relaxation, and meditation. In this study group you will learn foundational practices from the Himalayan Yoga Tradition. Each session will have three phases: gentle movement and breathing, deep relaxation, and meditation. Members can expect to leave this class refreshed. Please note that the movements taught in this study group are not acrobatics. They are suitable for people with no yoga experience. If you've attended yoga classes and found them to be too strenuous or otherwise challenging, this study group is for you.

Join us for history and a hike. We will be treated to viewing the Jonesville Hotel with a local historian and resident. We will then hike in the meadows near the creek in Jonesville for about 5 miles at roughly 5500' elevation. Be prepared for uneven ground.

360-degree views will be one of the highlights of this moderate hike (4.5 miles round trip, 650' elevation gain). Our path will follow the Pacific Crest Trail into fir forest and then onto the ridge between Cub Creek and Butt Creek. Along the way we'll take opportunities to enjoy and learn about the flora, fauna, soil, history, and stories about the area. From our lunch spot atop the ridge we'll have beautiful views of Lassen and other nearby and distant mountains. Our pace will be leisurely.

Did you know the Magna Carta, US founding documents, da Vinci's and Rembrandt's drawings, Bach's musical scores, and many other important historical documents were written with oak gall ink? We'll explore a brief history lesson, make our own ink samples from California's endemic valley oak galls (oak apples), and take a short stroll through the riparian forest, discovering how galls are created each spring by California gall wasps. We'll look for other types of galls and gall-inducing species. Each participant receives their own ink sample.

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This challenging hike (examples: Feather Falls, Annie Bidwell Trail, Many Waterfalls Loop) will be 6-10 miles in length with uneven and rocky terrain and approximately 2000' elevation gain while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This easy hike (examples: Inks Creek, Rio Vista Loop) will be 3-5 miles in length with uneven terrain and minimal elevation gains while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This moderate hike (examples: Potters Point Loop, Deer Creek) will be 3-6 miles in length with uneven terrain and 600' elevation gain while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This moderately challenging hike (examples: Brad Freeman Trail, Dye Creek) will be 4-7 miles in length with uneven and rocky terrain and approximately 1000' elevation gain while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

If you haven't visited the Butte College Health, Kinesiology and Athletics Department recently, here is your chance to join us on a wonderful tour! Various department staff and faculty will help us explore multiple facilities, educational opportunities, and athletic programs. You will have the opportunity to interact with the department dean, coaches, athletic trainers, and various student athletes. Participants must be comfortable navigating steps and walking or standing for up to 2 hours. All walking paths are paved.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring interesting places in our community. In this class we will be walking from the Chico History Museum up the Esplanade exploring one of the first neighborhoods of Chico, called the Vecino. Dave Nopel will be sharing the history and development of this unique area of Chico.

Join us for an easy, approximately 90-minute docent-led tour of the vineyard grounds and Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux in Vina. The unique soils of this land have led to its cultivation as a vineyard for many years. In 1955 much of the land was purchased by Trappist-Cistercian monks, an order known for their winemaking skills, who established a winery and monastery. A gift shop, informational displays, chapel, and an optional wine tasting are possible extensions to the tour.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring an interesting, historic neighborhood in Chico. Our meander will be 2 miles on relatively flat, though uneven, surfaces and include walking up two separate flights of stairs. It will include a visit to Chico State's Albert E. Warrens Center, also known as the Julia Morgan House, which serves as the residence for the university president and his wife. Participants must be comfortable walking and standing for up to three hours. Our guides will be Dave Nopel, Chico History Museum board member, and Tanya Perez, wife to Chico State President Steve Perez.

Expansive views and interesting rock formations will be some of the highlights of this moderate, high-elevation hike (3 miles round trip, 200' elevation gain). The trail is well-traveled, with gradual steady ascents and descents. Our path will follow the Pacific Crest Trail through a regenerating fir forest, burned in the 2021 Dixie Fire, to our lunch spot nestled amid remnants of 3-million-year-old stratovolcano Mount Yana. Our pace will be leisurely as we enjoy and learn about the flora and fauna along the way.

Play pickleball with other members. In this class, you will receive paddles and balls, enjoy light instruction for beginners, and have plenty of time to practice skills and play games with fellow OLLI members. Whether you're brand new to pickleball or looking to sharpen your game, this fun, social class is a great way to get active and learn one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Join us for an empowering self-defense class designed exclusively for OLLI members. In this fun, dynamic, safe, and practical session, Senior Grandmaster Azad, renowned for training tens of thousands of people in personal safety, will teach you real-world strategies to protect yourself at home, in public, and beyond. Learn simple but powerful techniques to stay safe, enhance awareness, and defend yourself effectively. This class is for people of all abilities.

Play table tennis with other members. You will receive paddles and balls, get basic instruction on strokes and footwork, and enjoy friendly games with fellow OLLI members. Whether you're completely new to table tennis or returning to a favorite pastime, this fast, fun, low-impact activity is a great way to sharpen your reflexes, stay active, and enjoy time with friends.

Tai Chi for Arthritis was developed in 1997 and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis often gets worse without proper exercise. Tai Chi for Arthritis helps to improve muscular strength, flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and clarity of mind. The gentle and slow movements help to improve the flow of energy and healing, and it is enjoyable and calming.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

Come enjoy Paradise and walk the Yellowstone Kelly Heritage Trail with us! We will walk the trail from the top to the bottom, a little over 5 miles downhill, and experience elevations from 2800-1800 feet. The trail is paved and will provide an opportunity to see the rebuild progress and the changing landscape. We will visit the Depot Museum and stop at Joy Lyn's Candy Shop. The last section of the path includes an art installation by muralist Shane Grammer.

Join us for our Wednesday morning park walks! If you want to start a walking habit, add to your daily step count, spend a morning with old and new friends, or just enjoy beautiful Lower Park, lace up your shoes and join us. Each week, you have the opportunity to choose a 1-mile route looping at Hwy 99 or a 2.8-mile route looping at the 2nd bridge (Cedar Grove).

Join us for our Wednesday morning park walks! If you want to start a walking habit, add to your daily step count, spend a morning with old and new friends, or just enjoy beautiful Lower Park, lace up your shoes and join us. Each week, you have the opportunity to choose a 1-mile route looping at Hwy 99 or a 2.8-mile route looping at the 2nd bridge (Cedar Grove).

This class aims to encourage participants to experience their own "chi field" and learn simple movements that can be used at home to help restore and maintain fluidity, balance, confidence, and resilience. Basic qigong and tai chi forms, coupled with breath awareness, can be helpful in relieving stress and enhancing health and well-being from the inside out. The class is intended to be introductory, but anyone with beginner's mind is welcome to join together in the joy and benefits of the world of chi.

Learn fun social dances from around the world, including Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Greece, Israel, Scotland, and the United States. Line, circle, and couple dances. No partner required.

This all-levels hatha yoga class welcomes all bodies and abilities. Jeanne teaches "to the room," adapting the practice to meet the needs of those present. Drawing on her background in dance, kinesiology, and massage, she offers a comprehensive, informative, and enjoyable experience. Classes include breathing (pranayama), chanting, yoga philosophy, and asana practice to enhance range of motion and circulation while we stretch, strengthen, and relax.