Ki-Hara Expands at Stretch Chi in Lincoln Square

Carrie Collins, a certified Ki-Hara Resistance Stretching instructor and owner of Stretch Chi, is offering classes in the discipline Wednesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m., and Sundays at 9 a.m. These 90-minute classes, limited to four students, each have a different focus, such as improving yoga, total fitness, whole health and recovery. Other instructors include Jeanne Barker, Kristin Iris Johnson and Peter Merlin. Stretch Chi offers private sessions, workshops, classes, certification trainings and internships.

Ki-Hara, created in 2008 by trainers Anne Tierney and Steve Sierra, is the method of stretching preferred by five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres. The technique combines movements that create stronger, more elastic muscles. It can be used by athletes for recovery and better performance or by anyone to fight the effects of aging on the body. Torres considers Ki-Hara a “secret weapon” that keeps her performing at a competitive pace against swimmers under half her age.

Location: 4765 N. Lincoln Ave., Ste. 207, Chicago. For more information, call 773-800-0244 or visit StretchChi.com.