photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Participants learn a few tai chi moves at a session Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in South Park.

Halloween isn’t just for kids, and neither is playing outside. A group of retirees demonstrated that on Thursday when they — some of them anyway — donned costumes to do some afternoon tai chi in South Park.

The event was part of the RetroActive programming at the Lawrence Public Library, which aims to keep retirees and older adults active and engaged.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Tai chi instructor Susan Pomeroy leads a session Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in South Park.

Susan Pomeroy, who’s a certified instructor through the Tai Chi For Health Institute, led the group in the low-impact full body exercise, which originated as a martial art in China. Tai chi focuses on slow, deliberate movement and breathing and is thought to be beneficial for muscle strength, flexibility and balance. As Pomeroy demonstrated some moves Thursday, her clown wig and oversized mitts added a bit of Halloween whimsy to the exercise’s normally meditative vibe.

Lorel Lewis, who runs the RetroActive series at the library, said the tai chi event was a one-time thing. But people who are interested in learning more about tai chi and its benefits can contact the Lawrence Parks and Recreation department about taking a class. Various yoga and fitness studios around town also offer options to explore this type of exercise.

For information about other activities available through RetroActive, which also include field trips and informational meetings, see the library’s website at lplks.org/retirement.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Participants learn a few tai chi moves at a session Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in South Park.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Some of the participants, like Lorel Lewis, center, donned a costume as they learned a few tai chi moves Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in South Park.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Participants learn a few tai chi moves at a session Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in South Park.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Costumes were optional during a tai chi session Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in South Park.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Costumes were optional during a tai chi session Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in South Park.