Health and Wellness   

Participants will be engaged in wide-ranging discussions regarding how we can use medical ethics in dealing with such issues as epidemics, end of life care, the well-being of vulnerable and migrant children and commercial determinants of health. Participants will be in dialog with faculty members of the Center for Bioethics and the Humanities at the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus. Readings will be circulated prior to each session to set the stage for moderated class discussion with the guest expert. The discussions will consider matters such as public trust, individual choice, public policy, changing social norms, and individual rights vs. the rights of the community. The class will not be a one-way street. This is an opportunity to voice your perspective on these important topics.

Science has answered many questions, but we are still just scratching the surface on understanding the human brain. Nevertheless, one thing becomes clearer with each new discovery: the brain is massively powerful! This is the third part of Dutch's Neuroplasticity series. In this 4 week course, participants will learn how breathing and stress affect our brains. We'll learn several breathing drills and discuss ways to mitigate stress to improve brain performance. We will take a "deep dive" into the mighty cerebellum and explore concepts and drills to improve performance of this crucial brain area. We will also explore how the cerebellum helps with balance and learn cerebellum drills to improve balance. Each class is half lecture and half brain-based exercises. Modifications for exercises will be available to make them accessible for everyone. It is not necessary to attend these classes in order. You can start here with Part III!

These books are recommended, not required: The Tell-Tale Brain by Ramachandran, and Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by Nestor

This course is for anyone who wants to add more energy, movement, interaction, and fun to their day.  Line-dancing is one of the easiest dances to learn. Line dancing is versatile; you will be able to dance to multiple music genres, including Country, Rock, Pop, Bluegrass, R&B, and Blues.  You will learn new steps by observing the facilitators, Ellen and Chris, and will practice first without music and then with music.  We will demonstrate the steps from different locations in the room to boost visual cues.  We recommend practicing between classes to enhance skills, confidence, and fun. You will receive video links to assist with your practice sessions at home.  So, if you’d like to meet new folks, enjoy upbeat music, exercise lightly, and engage both your body and mind, come dance with us. No experience is necessary, just comfortable footwear.

It's the human condition to encounter life challenges and difficulties that we just don't know how to solve. These days, it's not uncommon to wake up uneasy and discouraged. "What do I do about this?!" Round and round we go, trying to figure out how to change the situations and circumstances that bedevil us. Enter Practical Spirituality. What is spirituality, anyway? How does a spiritual worldview or understanding (or lack of one) influence the way we navigate life? In this non-religious class we look at the what, so what, and now what of our personal versions of spirituality and the practical wisdom and guidance they can offer us. You can find solutions to your human problems by discovering a map of your own wisdom and using it as a guide to a rich, meaningful life. Practical Spirituality is where you begin. No class 4/22.

The Peace Education Program is an innovative series of video-based workshops that invite you to explore personal peace and your inner resources for wellbeing. The course includes short video excerpts featuring author and peace educator Prem Rawat’s international talks, facilitated reflection time, individual exercises and the opportunity for group interactions. The sessions cover ten themes, among them Peace, Inner Strength, Dignity, etc.

Rather than describing or defining personal peace, the program aims to empower participants to reach their own understanding.

The facilitators’ role is to support the activities, interactions and reflection times, helping each workshop to run smoothly.

This course will be offered over five weeks, in weekly two-hour sessions. A complimentary course workbook will be given to each participant. For more information about the Peace Education Program, please visit https://tprf.org/peace-education-program/

Explore how the ancient practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are being reexamined through the lens of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) in this unique and timely course. With over 5,000 years of clinical tradition and more than 10,000 randomized controlled trials conducted since 1975, TCM remains one of the most widely practiced and studied systems of medicine worldwide.

Today, researchers at leading institutions like Harvard Medical School and the National Institutes of Health are leveraging AI to unlock the complex, whole-person effects of TCM. Unlike conventional approaches that focus narrowly on single conditions, TCM addresses the body, mind, and spirit as an interconnected system. Multifaceted interventions — such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tai Chi, and Qigong — impact multiple physiological and psychological domains at once, posing a challenge for traditional research methods.

Artificial intelligence offers powerful new tools to analyze these complex interactions, helping scientists better understand how TCM promotes prevention, resilience, and self-healing. We will explore how AI is transforming research in whole-person health and how universities, including the University of Denver, are pioneering studies that combine lifelong learning, integrative medicine, and advanced analytics to improve health outcomes in aging populations.

Whether you are curious about natural ways to enhance your well-being or eager to understand how ancient wisdom meets modern technology, this course will provide you with a rich foundation. Learn how TCM and AI together are shaping the future of health — and how these innovations can help you lead a healthier, more vibrant life.

Recommended Readings: Beinfield, Harriet, and Efrem Korngold. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York: Ballantine, 1992.

What better way to spend your Friday mornings than on a walk with your OLLI buddies in Colorado’s spring weather?! You’ll explore places like land trust properties, state parks, and maybe a private ranch.

We don’t need no stinkin’ sidewalks! Walks are curated for OLLI’s population by local, nature-related non-profits, rated easy to moderate with some elevation changes, and led by trained, volunteer guides who provide a fun and educational experience. Learn about plants, wildlife, geology, history, and our environment while getting in your steps! You’ll travel to places that may be familiar to you, and likely some new ones. We’ll arrange meetup spots for those who want to carpool or caravan.

Wait, there’s more! A class favorite is the optional lunch after each walk, where we continue the fun and camaraderie. Be an OLLI OUTSIDER!

$50 donation for non-profits payable at registration