Yichang’s Senior University kicks off new spring semester

By Chen Si, Chen Jiajia and Fu Jiangshan also contributed to this article.

Yichang’s Senior University welcomed more than 20,000 students back to class for the spring semester on March 3.

Fu Tiemei, a Tai Chi teacher at the school, has seven fully booked classes this semester. She said that Tai Chi emphasizes the dual practice of mind and body, and is very popular among the elderly.

Fu Tiemei teaching Tai Chi to students.
Photo by Fu Beibei

One of her students, 64-year-old Mu Shaoqin, has benefited greatly from the classes. Suffering from a slipped disc, after practicing Tai Chi, he has seen his health improve greatly over time. After several years of study, Mu has built a social network and often practices with friends in community parks.

Qiu Liang’s classical dance class is another popular choice. Most of his students are between 60 and 70 years old and appreciate his easy-to-follow choreography that is tailored to their physical abilities.
 

Qiu Liang teaching his classical dance class.
​Photo by Fu Beibei

Chen Juanjuan, 51, has signed up for eight courses this semester, including Tai Chi, yoga, folk dance, and Chinese cooking. She enjoys spending most of her time at the school and praises the university for its excellent learning environment.

Gong Zhaoqing, vice president of Yichang’s Senior University, said: "This spring semester, we offer 102 majors and 330 classes in eight departments, including vocal music, opera, instrumental music, calligraphy and painting. We have enrolled more than 7,000 new students so far." 
 

Students learning to play pipa in a music class.
 ​Photo by Fu Beibei
 

Students drawing in a painting class.

 

To further meet the diverse learning needs of the elderly, the school has opened 18 new half-year classes, including infant care, maternal care and basic drone photography.